City Building Permits

Savannah, GA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Savannah, Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Georgia Chatham County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

City of Savannah permitting and inspections apply within Savannah city limits.

Department: City of Savannah Development Services Department
Address: 20 Interchange Drive, Savannah, GA 31415
Phone: 912-651-6510
Website: https://www.savannahga.gov/376/Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Open eTRAC

Platform: eTRAC • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Identify the permit type and whether the work is exempt using Savannah's published handouts.
Prepare the application package and plans for Development Services review.
Submit through eTRAC or the city permit counter, depending on project type and submittal needs.
Pay the plan review fee at application.
Respond to review comments if issued and wait for approval.
Pay the permit fee at issuance.
Post the permit, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or Certificate of Occupancy.

Typical processing time: No general citywide issuance turnaround published. Inspection requests are generally next available day.

Source: City of Savannah Development Services Department

General Requirements

Savannah requires permits for construction governed by federal, state, and local codes, including new construction, additions, renovations, demolition, roofing, windows, pools, solar, fences, and trade work.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Project-specific plans
Plan review payment at application
Approved plans on site for inspection
Additional zoning or historic review documents where applicable

Permit validity: 90-day permit extension fee is published; permit reinstatement fee is also published.
Building code: Enforcement of federal, state, and local codes. Georgia state minimum codes apply.
Owner-builder: If acting as your own contractor, you may call in your own building inspections but may not call in inspections for your trades.
Contractor requirements: Appropriately licensed contractors may submit online inspection requests through eTRAC. Georgia state licensing rules apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $40.00 plus technology fee
Plan check fee: Starting at $75.00 for construction value from $0 to $74,999, with higher tiers thereafter
Permit fee formula: Mixed. New construction and larger renovations are valuation-based; many smaller residential and commercial permits are flat fee by permit type.
Reinspection fee: $100.00 extra inspection fee; $50.00 per hour after-hours inspection with $150.00 minimum
Penalty (no permit): Greater of $500.00 or double permit fee for working without permit; $500.00 for occupying without Certificate of Occupancy
Payment note: Plan review is paid at application. Permit fee is paid at issuance. A $5.00 technology fee is added to listed permit types.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Exterior paint
Roof patch less than 100 square feet
Replace roof shingles only
Storm windows
Window replacement with no change in size
Carpet in non-assembly areas
Fiberglass insulation
Minor porch repairs
Concrete patio on grade
Screen an existing roofed porch
Replace porch flooring
Repair steps using like materials and dimensions
Kitchen cabinets
Minor plumbing leak repairs
Replace switches, plates, same-type outlets, same-type light fixtures, breakers, fuses
Portable heating, ventilating, and cooling equipment
Appliance repairs as listed on the city exempt-work handout
Gutters and downspouts
Wood or chain link fence under 7 feet
Free-standing open roof pergola under 200 square feet and under 10 feet tall
Portable pool less than 2 feet deep and less than 250 square feet

Inspections

How to Schedule

912-651-6530 (phone)
eTRAC portal (for appropriately licensed contractors) (online)

Inspection hours: 7:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for next day building inspections. Trade inspections requested between 7:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. are same day in most cases.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence is project-dependent; building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and final inspections as applicable.

Additional Resources

Building code: Enforcement of federal, state, and local codes. Georgia state minimum codes apply.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Development Services
License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Savannah Development Services Department before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Savannah can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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