Unincorporated Columbia County (Martinez community), GA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties in unincorporated Columbia County, including the Evans and Martinez communities. Does not apply within the incorporated cities of Grovetown and Harlem.

Department

Columbia County Development Services Division, Building Standards Department

Address

630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Building A, Evans, GA 30809

Phone

706-868-3420

Email

permits@columbiacountyga.gov (permit submissions) , inspections@columbiacountyga.gov (inspections)

Website

https://columbiacountyga.gov/348/Residential-Commercial-Building-Applicat

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine the permit type and download the correct packet from Columbia County's Residential and Commercial Building Applications page.
2. Gather the required materials. Submissions begin with forms, checklists, site maps, drawings, and related documents, with permit-specific packets for new homes, alterations, decks, pools, generators, service changes, demolition, and mobile homes.
3. Register in Munis CSS. Applicants must register in Customer Self Service before electronic permit submission.
4. Log into CSS and use the Building Plan Submission Form to upload the application, drawings, and associated materials. Building Standards verifies the submission is complete and then contacts the applicant for payment.
5. Pay permit and plan review fees. The office will contact the applicant to take payment by phone and accepts Visa and Mastercard.
6. After permit issuance, request inspections by emailing inspections@columbiacountyga.gov. All requests received by 4:30 PM are scheduled for the next business day.

Typical processing time: Inspection requests received by 4:30 PM are scheduled for the next business day.

Source: Columbia County Development Services Division, Building Standards Department

General Requirements

Building permits must be obtained before construction. The county publishes dedicated permit packets for new residential construction, pools, additions, decks, roofing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, generators, demolition, and other work. All building permits are reviewed for flood hazard impacts before construction.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Permit-specific packet and checklist
• Plans
• Plot or site plan
• REScheck for new residential construction
• Water tap and sewer tap receipt or well/septic documentation as applicable
• LDP application when land disturbance applies
• Homeowner disclosure if applicable

Permit validity

Permits become null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement.

Building code

Georgia statewide minimum codes effective January 1, 2026. Columbia County also publishes Georgia Construction Codes and DCA resources from its building applications page.

Owner-builder

Columbia County publishes a Homeowner Disclosure Agreement. Owners may apply for do-it-yourself registration to act as their own residential builder, but the home must be for the owner or family occupancy only, not for sale or rent. Selling or renting within 2 years creates a presumption of violation. The owner must supervise construction and may not hire unregistered builders.

Contractor requirements

Permit applications must be submitted by a business that has obtained occupational tax and, when applicable, general liability (at least $100,000 coverage), surety bond (at least $15,000), workers compensation insurance, and Georgia state license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$55

Plan check fee

Residential new construction and additions use a building plan review fee of $100 per 1,000 square feet or fraction thereof, capped at $500. Minor commercial alteration review is $150 flat; major alteration and upfit review are $350 flat.

Permit fee formula

Residential new building, mobile or modular home, ancillary dwelling, and accessory structure permits are $0.25 per square foot under roof. Residential additions and alterations are $250 plus $0.25 per square foot; decks and porches are $150 plus $0.20 per square foot. Commercial new construction permit fees are table-based by occupancy and construction type. Commercial additions and alterations include flat-fee categories plus separate plan review charges.

Reinspection fee

$30 for the first reinspection and $50 for the second and each subsequent reinspection

Penalty (no permit)

$500 non-compliance fee

Payment note

Approved permit applicants are contacted for payment by phone and the office accepts Visa and Mastercard. Added trade permits can be requested by email to permits@columbiacountyga.gov and paid by credit card over the phone.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective August 7, 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Columbia County Development Services Division, Building Standards Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• inspections@columbiacountyga.gov (email)
• permits@columbiacountyga.gov (for added electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits) (email)

Scheduling deadline

Requests received by 4:30 PM are scheduled for the next business day; requests after 4:30 PM are scheduled for the second business day.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Erosion and sediment control; temporary power; footing; plumbing slab; concrete slab; foundation; basement walls and waterproofing if applicable; exterior wall inspection; stucco or stone prep if applicable; rough-in framing; rough-in electrical; rough-in mechanical; rough-in plumbing; gas piping; shower pan; retaining wall if applicable; energy efficiency; sewer; electrical power; final; notice of termination; zoning compliance; final certificate of occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Georgia statewide minimum codes effective January 1, 2026. Columbia County also publishes Georgia Construction Codes and DCA resources from its building applications page.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Residential and Commercial Building Applications
• Residential New Construction Permit Packet
• Alteration/Addition/Accessory Permit Packet
• Fire Marshal
• Land Disturbance Permit Process
• Georgia Construction Code Board
• Georgia Rules (GCA Chapter 110)
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Columbia County