City Building Permits

Athens (Athens-Clarke County Unified Government), GA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Athens (Athens-Clarke County Unified Government), Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Georgia Clarke County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within Athens-Clarke County (consolidated city-county unified government).

Department
Athens-Clarke County Building Permits & Inspections Department
Address
120 W Dougherty St, Athens, GA 30601
Phone
(706) 613-3520
Website
https://www.accgov.com/135/Building-Permits-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Open ACC Community Portal

Platform: Salesforce Experience Cloud • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Determine which track applies: Simple Trade Permits, Building Permit with Zoning Review, or Full Construction Plans Review.
  2. For Trade Permits (Track A): Download form, complete with required documents, submit by email to accbuild@accgov.com or fax to (706) 613-3527.
  3. For Building Permits (Track B): Determine if Zoning Permit required; if so, obtain from Planning Department (planningsubmittals@accgov.com). Then submit Building Permit Application with required documents.
  4. For Complex Projects (Track C): Create ACC Community Portal account, submit Construction Plans Review application package through portal, pay review fees.
  5. Respond to any review comments and resubmit if needed. Maximum 3 Changes-to-Approved (CTA) submittals per week.
  6. Upon approval notification, download permit application form and submit to Building Permits & Inspections with required documents.
  7. Pay permit fees and receive permit issuance. Work must begin within 6 months of issuance.

Typical processing time: Trade permits and simple building permits: typically next business day after complete receipt. Construction Plans Review: multi-department coordination; contact Planning Department for current turnaround.

Source: Athens-Clarke County Building Permits & Inspections Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction, erection, moving, or alteration of any building or structure where the estimated cost is over $100. This threshold applies regardless of whether a licensed contractor is used.

Required Documents

  • Correct permit application form (form specific to project type)
  • Current business license from any Georgia jurisdiction
  • Copy of driver's license
  • Copy of Georgia Contractor's license (if contractor is signing)
  • Georgia Contractor Affidavit form if permit agent signs on behalf of contractor (must be notarized)
  • Contractor-Owner Exemption Form for owner-builder projects
  • Zoning Permit (if Planning Department review required)
  • Plans Review approval (for complex projects)
  • Trade permit applications (separate permits for each trade)
  • Water-Sewer Application (if new or modified utility connections)
Permit validity
Plans Review approval: Building permit must be pulled within 6 months (6-month extension available if requested before expiration). Zoning Permit approval: Building permit must be obtained within 1 year. Issued permit: Work must begin within 6 months of issuance. Work must be substantially completed within 2 years.
Building code
2024 International Residential Code (IRC), 2024 International Building Code (IBC), 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2024 International Fire Code (IFC), 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), and 2026 Georgia Amendments to 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — all with Georgia amendments, effective January 1, 2026.
Owner-builder
Owner-builders must complete and submit the Contractor-Owner Exemption Form. Owner must occupy or intend to occupy dwelling as personal residence; may not sell structure within 1 year of completion without disclosure.
Contractor requirements
Georgia state contractor license required for any contracting work costing $2,500 or more (effective July 1, 2008). License categories include Residential-Basic Contractor, Residential-Light Commercial Contractor, and General Contractor. Each subcontractor must apply for own trade permits and provide Georgia licensing credentials.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$80
Plan check fee
50% of building permit fee (minimum $80)
Permit fee formula
$80 base plus $3 per $1,000 of project valuation
Trade permit fee
$80 base plus fees per trade (electrical: $2 per circuit; plumbing: $2 per fixture; mechanical: $2 per supply/return; gas: $2 per fixture)
Reinspection fee
Charged if project not ready for inspection when inspector arrives; confirm current amount with Building Inspections
Penalty (no permit)
Double the normal permit fee for work without permit
Payment note
In-person: cash, check, money order, American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Apple Pay. Email/fax trade permits: credit card. Plans Review: credit card through portal or check. Water/sewer fees: cash, check, or money order only.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 1, 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Fence repairs (minor) not constituting structural changes or replacing more than 50% of fence
  • Interior finishes: painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
  • Playground equipment (swings and other equipment accessory to one- or two-family dwelling)
  • One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) not over 120 square feet
  • Fences not over 7 feet in height (excluding swimming pool barriers)
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height and not supporting surcharge or flammable liquids
  • Water tanks supported on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and height-to-diameter ratio not exceeding 2:1
  • Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over basement or story below
  • Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
  • Prefabricated swimming pools (Group R-3 residential) less than 24 inches deep, not greater than 5,000 gallons, entirely above ground
  • Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies supported by exterior wall not projecting more than 54 inches
  • Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height

Important: Exemptions from building permit do not override other applicable permits. Fences require Zoning Permit from Planning Department even if under 7 feet. Work in floodplain, riparian buffer, or wetland requires Environmental Areas Permit. Historic district properties require certificate of appropriateness. Confirm all exemptions with Building Permits & Inspections before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (706) 613-3520 (phone)
  • accbuild@accgov.com (email)
Scheduling deadline
Inspections are conducted within two business days of request.
Inspection hours
Field inspections conducted during business hours. Front counter: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. Office staff: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing inspection (before concrete pour), slab inspection, poured wall inspection (if applicable), porch beam/column inspection (if applicable), building rough-in inspection, electrical rough-in inspection (subcontractor must have permit on file), plumbing rough-in inspection (subcontractor must have permit on file), mechanical rough-in inspection (subcontractor must have permit on file), gas line inspection (subcontractor must have permit on file), final building inspection, final electrical inspection, final plumbing inspection, final mechanical inspection, final gas inspection.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Athens-Clarke County Building Permits & Inspections Department before applying.

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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.