City Building Permits
McDonough, GA Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in McDonough, Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
City of McDonough building permit and inspection authority for work inside city limits.
- Department
- Building Inspection Division, City of McDonough
- Address
- 136 Keys Ferry Street, 3rd Floor, McDonough, GA 30253
- Phone
- 770-898-3506
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Downloadable application packets • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Determine permit type and download the applicable packet from the city Applications, Permits and Fees page, including the residential packet, residential single-sheet application, or commercial permit packet.
- Assemble the required plans and supporting documents. The city instructs applicants to provide two complete sets of building plans for most work and additional documentation for trade permits, site plans, truss drawings, energy documents, and contractor information as applicable.
- Submit the completed application packet to the Building Inspection Division for intake and review.
- The permit office routes the application for plan review. The city states a simple residential deck permit can be issued the same day, while a complicated commercial structure may take up to four weeks.
- Pay the assessed permit and review fees once approved.
- Receive the permit and post it on site, then call for inspections as work progresses.
Typical processing time: Same day for a simple residential deck permit; up to 4 weeks for a complicated commercial structure.
General Requirements
Permits are required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, and for regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, and fire suppression work.
Required Documents
- Permit application
- Construction plans
- Site plan
- Truss and engineered details if applicable
- Energy documents
- Contractor license information
- Trade permit information
- Building code
- The city enforces the current State Minimum Codes for Construction with Georgia Department of Community Affairs amendments. Statewide mandatory Georgia code updates took effect January 1, 2026.
- Owner-builder
- Confirm with the permit office if an owner-builder affidavit is required for owner-performed residential work.
- Contractor requirements
- Georgia residential contractors performing work above the state licensing threshold must be appropriately licensed. City permit packets also require contractor information and trade contractor details.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $75 per trade permit; $300 for one- and two-family residential new construction
- Plan check fee
- Multi-family, commercial, and industrial: 25% of building permit fee, minimum $75. Revised plans: 25% of original plan review fee, minimum $75.
- Permit fee formula
- One- and two-family residential new construction: $0.30 per square foot under roof plus applicable trade permit fees. Multi-family, commercial, and industrial: $3.70 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost using current ICC valuation data.
- Trade permit fee
- $75 minimum per trade permit
- Reinspection fee
- Building codes: $50 first inspection and first reinspection; $35 subsequent. Fire safety: $50 first inspection and first reinspection; $35 subsequent.
- Payment note
- Building valuation calculations rely on the city-posted ICC building valuation data table: https://www.mcdonoughga.org/DocumentCenter/View/1452/Building-Valuation-Data-Table
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Building Inspection Division, City of McDonough to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Automated inspection request line: 678-782-6217 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests received before 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day. Requests after 4:00 p.m. are scheduled two business days out. Requests before 4:00 p.m. on Friday or the day before a holiday are scheduled for the next working day.
Typical inspection sequence: Sequence depends on scope, but city practice is to perform required trade and building inspections as work progresses and complete final inspections before occupancy or completion.
Additional Resources
- Building code: The city enforces the current State Minimum Codes for Construction with Georgia Department of Community Affairs amendments. Statewide mandatory Georgia code updates took effect January 1, 2026.
- Building Valuation Data Table
- 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 Building Inspection Division, City of McDonough before applying.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in McDonough can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector worksOther cities in Henry County
View all Henry County jurisdictions →