On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for White County
White County says a permit is required if you intend to build, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or change a building or structure, and/or install, alter, repair, or replace any part of the electrical, gas, plumbing, or HVAC systems. The county specifically includes manufactured homes, decks, covered porches, storage buildings, pole barns, RV roof-overs and awnings, and similar work.
New shingles on a roof
Roof repair
House demolition
Fences
Free-standing retaining walls unattached to a house
- Exempt New shingles on a roof
- Exempt Roof repair
- Exempt House demolition
- Exempt Fences
- Exempt Free-standing retaining walls unattached to a house
Required documents
- Recorded plat for all permit submittals
- Septic evaluation where applicable
- Contractor licenses and information unless already registered
- Parcel ID/tax map and parcel number
- Directions to the property
- Self-work affidavit for owner self-work
- Building code
- White County's Building Inspections FAQ currently lists enforcement of the 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code; 2018 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Codes; and the 2020 National Electrical Code.
- Permit validity
- Permit expires 12 months from issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement. One 12-month renewal is allowed. Renewal fee is $100.
- Owner-builder
- The iWorQ portal provides a self-work affidavit and states it must be included if the applicant is choosing to do self-work.
- Contractor requirements
- White County contractor registration allows contractors to keep licenses on file. Unregistered contractors must supply license copies and information with each applicable permit. White County also requests a White County business license for contractors based in the county.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general permit processing estimate posted. White County states E-911 addresses are generally issued within 1 to 2 weeks after the building permit is issued.
- 01 Determine permit type from the iWorQ Building Department portal and open the matching application for dwelling, remodel, addition, accessory structure, mobile home, RV, trade-only, generator, solar, or pool work.
- 02 Search for the property and contractor in the portal, then complete all applicable fields.
- 03 Upload required documents. White County states incomplete permit applications will not be accepted for review and specifically calls out septic evaluation, contractor licenses and information, plat of property, parcel ID/tax map and parcel number, and directions to the property.
- 04 If doing self-work, include the self-work affidavit linked from the portal.
- 05 For commercial permits, contact the Planning Department at 706-865-6768 for a required pre-application meeting and bring a plat of the property.
- 06 After issuance, post and retain the permit information/job card and call 706-865-6496 the day before needed inspections with the 5-digit permit number and inspection type.
- 07 Complete required inspections through final approval to receive a Certificate of Occupancy where applicable.
Typical processing time: No general permit processing estimate posted. White County states E-911 addresses are generally issued within 1 to 2 weeks after the building permit is issued.
Source: White County Community and Economic Development - Building Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
White County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$15 for certain other residential additions/modifications/repairs/renovations up to 250 square feet; $30 for several new-construction categories; $45 residential trade permits; $60 non-residential occupancy permit.
02
Plan check fee
$100 for buildings 5,000 square feet or more, three or more retail stores/offices, and listed assembly/education/institutional/hotel/apartment uses; $50 for all others.
03
Permit fee formula
Square-foot based for most building permits; flat fees for trades, occupancy permits, agriculture, manufactured homes, some RV items, and renewal.
04
Reinspection fee
No separate public countywide reinspection fee schedule was found on the reviewed Building Department pages.
No public online payment note specific to building permits was found on the reviewed county permit pages.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call 706-865-6496 the day before the requested inspection; have the permit number, inspection type, contact name, and phone number ready. (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Day before needed inspection
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: For a residential new home, White County lists footing, under-slab plumbing/electrical if applicable, slab or basement wall, rough-in, insulation, temporary-to-permanent power, and final. For mobile homes, the county lists set-up inspection and final inspection.
Source: White County Community and Economic Development - Building Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated White County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated White County, GA? ▸
White County says a permit is required if you intend to build, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or change a building or structure, and/or install, alter, repair, or replace any part of the electrical, gas, plumbing, or HVAC systems. The county specifically includes manufactured homes, decks, covered porches, storage buildings, pole barns, RV roof-overs and awnings, and similar work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated White County, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated White County, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $15 for certain other residential additions/modifications/repairs/renovations up to 250 square feet; $30 for several new-construction categories; $45 residential trade permits; $60 non-residential occupancy permit.. Fees are calculated as: Square-foot based for most building permits; flat fees for trades, occupancy permits, agriculture, manufactured homes, some RV items, and renewal.. Plan check fee: $100 for buildings 5,000 square feet or more, three or more retail stores/offices, and listed assembly/education/institutional/hotel/apartment uses; $50 for all others..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated White County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated White County, GA, follow these steps: 1. Determine permit type from the iWorQ Building Department portal and open the matching application for dwelling, remodel, addition, accessory structure, mobile home, RV, trade-only, generator, solar, or pool work. 2. Search for the property and contractor in the portal, then complete all applicable fields. 3. Upload required documents. White County states incomplete permit applications will not be accepted for review and specifically calls out septic evaluation, contractor licenses and information, plat of property, parcel ID/tax map and parcel number, and directions to the property. 4. If doing self-work, include the self-work affidavit linked from the portal. 5. For commercial permits, contact the Planning Department at 706-865-6768 for a required pre-application meeting and bring a plat of the property. 6. After issuance, post and retain the permit information/job card and call 706-865-6496 the day before needed inspections with the 5-digit permit number and inspection type. 7. Complete required inspections through final approval to receive a Certificate of Occupancy where applicable.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated White County, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated White County, GA typically run No general permit processing estimate posted. White County states E-911 addresses are generally issued within 1 to 2 weeks after the building permit is issued.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated White County, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated White County, GA. The following work is generally exempt: New shingles on a roof; Roof repair; House demolition; Fences; Free-standing retaining walls unattached to a house. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated White County, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated White County, GA via: Call 706-865-6496 the day before the requested inspection; have the permit number, inspection type, contact name, and phone number ready.. Day before needed inspection.
last verified April 2026
source White County Community and Economic Development - Building Department ↗
entry id permits/georgia/white/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with White County Community and Economic Development - Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.