Macon-Bibb County, GA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the consolidated Macon-Bibb County government, including the former City of Macon and unincorporated Bibb County areas.

Department

Department of Building and Fire Safety

Address

3661 Eisenhower Pkwy, Suite MB105, Macon, GA 31206

Phone

478-803-0466

Email

buildingpermits@maconbibb.us

Website

https://www.maconbibb.us/buildingpermits/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Obtain a Certificate of Zoning Compliance from Macon-Bibb Planning & Zoning Commission (MBPZ) at https://app.oncamino.com/mbpz/login. This is required before Building and Fire Safety will accept any permit application.
2. If submitting as a contractor, verify your Community Connect contractor account is active. The account must be set up by the license holder. Contact buildingpermits@maconbibb.us to initiate.
3. Gather required documents based on your project type (residential, commercial, single trade, demolition, or fire protection).
4. Submit your application and plans either online through Community Connect (https://app.communitycore.com/) or in-person at the Building and Fire Safety office.
5. For commercial projects and residential accessory structures, pay the $150 plan review submittal fee at submission.
6. Building and Fire Safety reviews your application for code compliance. Review timelines vary by project type: commercial (10-20 business days for initial review), residential accessory structures (max 5 business days), residential dwellings (cursory examination, no specific timeline published).
7. If reviewers issue comments, respond and resubmit documents through Community Connect.
8. Pay all permit and plan review fees through Community Connect or by contacting the office.
9. After approval, download the issued permit and approved plans from Community Connect and post both at the job site.
10. Schedule and pass required inspections as work progresses. All required inspections must pass before proceeding to covered or concealed work.
11. After all final inspections are approved, download the Certificate of Occupancy from Community Connect. Buildings may not be occupied until the CO is issued.

Typical processing time: Plan review: 10-20 business days for commercial projects (initial review), 5 business days for residential accessory structures, cursory review for residential dwellings with no specific timeline published.

Source: Department of Building and Fire Safety

General Requirements

A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of any building or structure; or installing, altering, replacing, or removing regulated building, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, low-voltage, or fire protection systems — unless the work falls within an explicit exemption. Work exceeding $2,500 requires a building permit.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application (form varies by project type)
• Certificate of Zoning Compliance from MBPZ
• Site plan
• Construction plans/drawings (PDF format)
• Valuation and square footage information
• Contractor and owner/contact information
• Subcontractor affidavit (if trade subcontractors are used)
• Homeowner Affidavit Packet (if owner-builder project)
• For commercial projects: full construction documents signed and sealed by design professional

Permit validity

A permit becomes invalid if work has not commenced within 6 months of issuance. If work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement, the permit is also invalid. Extensions of up to 6 months each may be granted in writing for justifiable cause (contact the Building Official). Demolition permits must commence within 6 months; once work begins, the permit is issued for 60 days.

Building code

2024 I-code cycle (IBC, IRC, IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, ISPSC, NFPA 101, NEC 2023, IECC 2015, IWUIC 2012) — all with Georgia Amendments. Effective January 1, 2026.

Owner-builder

The Homeowner Affidavit Packet may only be used by the owner of a single-family residence who actually resides (or will reside) in the residence. The owner certifies that the completed structure will be occupied by the owner and family, will not be rented or sold within 24 months of completion, and the owner has not previously sold a residence built under a homeowner permit within 24 months. The owner must personally perform the work. Licensed subcontractors may not be hired under the owner-builder permit; any subcontracted trade work requires a separate subcontractor affidavit.

Contractor requirements

Contractors and subcontractors must hold a Georgia State license issued by the State Construction Licensing Board (for residential contractors: Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, or General Contractor; specialty trades: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, low-voltage, fire protection through appropriate licensing board). A current Occupational Tax Certificate (business license) from any Georgia local jurisdiction is also required. Contractors must register with Building and Fire Safety before permits are issued. License verification: https://sos.ga.gov/state-licensing-board-residential-and-commercial-general-contractors

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$35.00

Plan check fee

$150.00 plan review submittal fee per building (applies to commercial projects, residential accessory structures, and new construction requiring review). Residential dwelling new construction: no plan review fee (cursory examination only). Canopy, signs, towers, boat docks, sprinkler systems, DCA items: $35.00 each. Structures over 10,000 sq ft: additional construction document review fees may apply.

Permit fee formula

Residential building permits: $4.00 per $1,000 of valuation. New residential valuation: $63.00 per heated sq ft + $15.00 per unheated sq ft. Commercial permits: $4.00 per $1,000 using ICC Building Valuation Data tables. Single trade permits: $35.00 minimum (up to $8,499.99 valuation); $4.00 per $1,000 above $8,500.

Trade permit fee

$35.00 per trade shown on the application (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas)

Reinspection fee

$35.00 per reinspection

Penalty (no permit)

Work started without required permit: $100.00 (by owner/occupant) or $500.00 (by contractor/builder/carpenter). Penalty is in addition to required permit fee.

Payment note

Permit and plan review fees can be paid online through Community Connect when that option is available. If the payment tab is absent for a given permit type, contact 478-803-0466 or buildingpermits@maconbibb.us for alternative payment methods.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Building alterations or repairs with valuation not exceeding $2,000 (non-structural, approved by Building Official)
• Detached single-story accessory structures 400 sq ft or less, not occupied, not structurally attached, complying with site and zoning approvals
• Exterior balconies, porches, or decks not over 200 sq ft and not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• Barns and outbuildings in agricultural zones, not intended for human habitation
• Roof maintenance and repairs using like materials (no structural replacement)
• Signs and towers 25 feet or less in height
• Retaining walls (not part of a structure), fences, residential swimming pools, shade cloth for nursery/agricultural use, swings/playground equipment
• Temporary electrical power poles at construction sites
• Construction trailers with 200-amp service or less
• Servicing or repairing electrical appliances (not permanent wiring alterations)
• Clearing drain stoppages and repairing leaks without rearranging/extending/replacing piping
• Replacing minor components (valves, fixtures) not altering system approvals
• Portable heating/cooling equipment not requiring permanent fuel connections
• Self-contained refrigeration systems with less than 10 pounds of refrigerant

Important: IMPORTANT: As of May 1, 2025, new construction accessory structures — even if otherwise exempt — require plan review submission and a $150 fee if they will involve MEP systems or where the county determines a cursory review is warranted. Confirm with the Building and Fire Safety office before assuming exemption for any new freestanding structure.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Public Inspection Scheduling Form (no account required) (online-public)
• Community Connect portal (with contractor account) (online-account)
• 478-803-0466 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

To receive a next-business-day inspection, submit the request no later than 4:00 PM the prior business day. Requests accepted 24/7.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday (specific daily hours not published). Requests submitted after 4:00 PM will receive next-business-day earliest.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for new single-family residence: temporary power, footing, under-slab electrical, under-slab plumbing, slab/poly, foundation/stemwall, sewer lateral, water service lateral, under-floor rough, wall sheathing, combination rough (framing, rough MEP), weather barrier/flashing, lath (if applicable), insulation, sheetrock/nail, shower pan (if applicable), underground electrical, gas pressure test, permanent power, combination final (final building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). Inspections must be scheduled in the order construction activity occurs. Work may not be covered or concealed until applicable inspection is approved.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2024 I-code cycle (IBC, IRC, IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, ISPSC, NFPA 101, NEC 2023, IECC 2015, IWUIC 2012) — all with Georgia Amendments. Effective January 1, 2026.
• Verify contractor license: Georgia Secretary of State Contractor Licensing Board
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Macon-Bibb Planning & Zoning Commission (MBPZ)
• MBPZ Interactive Zoning Map (ArcGIS)
• Building and Fire Safety Staff Directory
• Administrative Minimum Standard Codes
• Inspection Types and Definitions
• Certificate of Occupancy FAQ
• Occupational Tax Certificate (Business License)
• Georgia DCA Construction Codes
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub