Fayetteville, GA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Building permits and inspections inside the City limits of Fayetteville only.

Department

City of Fayetteville Building and Inspections, operated by SAFEbuilt Georgia

Address

210 Stonewall Avenue West, Fayetteville, GA 30214

Phone

770-461-6029

Email

Permit tech phone: 770-719-4067

Website

https://www.fayetteville-ga.gov/162/Building-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is inside Fayetteville city limits and gather the permit application, trade forms, plans, and any required water or sewer receipts from the permit forms and single-family process page.
2. Submit through BSA Online, or file in person at City Hall. The Building and Inspections page also allows manual processing with emailed application packets if using downloaded forms.
3. Staff reviews the application. Some permits are issued over the counter; others are left for additional review.
4. Once processed, the applicant receives payment instructions. Payment can be made online, and the issued permit is emailed back to the applicant.
5. Post the permit and call or email for required inspections through completion and final approval.

Typical processing time: Varies by project; some permits are over the counter, others require plan review. Inspection requests received before 3 p.m. are performed the next business day.

Source: City of Fayetteville Building and Inspections, operated by SAFEbuilt Georgia

General Requirements

Fayetteville requires permits for all new construction, remodeling, and repairs. Plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permits may also be needed for additions or changes to existing systems.

Required Documents

• Permit application forms
• Plans as required
• Scans of state, local, and driver licenses for manual submissions
• Water meter receipt
• Sewer tap receipt
• Approved building plans
• Trade permits
• Building permit application
• Foundation survey
• Erosion control plan if more than 1 disturbed acre

Permit validity

Permits expire after 180 days if no inspections are made. The current fee schedule allows up to two 90-day extensions by written justification, or up to 365 days for large or complex projects if approved by the Building Official.

Building code

2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, and ISPSC with Georgia amendments, 2023 NEC, 2015 IECC with Georgia supplements and amendments, 2018 IFC, 2018 IPMC, and 2018 IEBC

Owner-builder

Homeowners may obtain permits only for the residence in which they currently reside. If hiring no workers, the city requires an Owner-Builder Statement instead of workers compensation insurance.

Contractor requirements

Contractors should be licensed by the State of Georgia. The city states permits cannot lawfully be issued for work over $2,500 to unlicensed contractors under Georgia law.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$150 for residential building permits under $10,000 valuation; $100 minimum for trade permits; administrative fee of $25 applies to all permits

Plan check fee

Residential plan review is 25% of permit fee, minimum $150. Commercial plan review is 50% of permit fee, minimum $250. Revisions are separately charged.

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. Minor renovations under $75,000 use flat permit fees. Residential building permits over $75,000 are $4.00 per $1,000 of calculated ICC valuation; commercial building permits over $75,000 are $5.00 per $1,000 of calculated ICC valuation.

Reinspection fee

Second reinspection $75, third $150, fourth $300 plus mandatory meeting

Penalty (no permit)

Work started before permit issuance doubles the regular permit fee, plus a $200 penalty if a stop work order is issued

Payment note

Online payment is available through BSA Online. Checks should be payable to City of Fayetteville, one check per fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Wallpapering, painting, and similar finish work
• Replacement or repair of fixtures such as changing water faucets or replacing switches

Important: Reviews from other agencies may still be required even when a building permit is not.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Email (email)
• Phone (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests received before 3 p.m. are performed the next business day.

Typical inspection sequence: Preliminary erosion control and temporary pole; foundation footing and in-ground trades; slab; rough framing, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing; insulation; utility release; final trade inspections; final erosion; certificate of occupancy after all finals and impact fee payment

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, and ISPSC with Georgia amendments, 2023 NEC, 2015 IECC with Georgia supplements and amendments, 2018 IFC, 2018 IPMC, and 2018 IEBC
• Verify contractor license: Contractor Licensing Requirements
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Codes Enforced
• Required Inspections
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Single-Family Residential Permit Process
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Fayette County