Augusta-Richmond County, GA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government. The Planning and Development Department is the single permit authority for both residential and commercial projects. Residential permits are processed at 1803 Marvin Griffin Road, Augusta, GA 30906; commercial permits are processed at 535 Telfair Street, Suite 300.

Department

Augusta-Richmond County Planning and Development Department

Address

535 Telfair Street, Suite 300, Augusta, GA 30901

Phone

706-312-5050

Email

permitting@augustaga.gov

Website

https://www.augustaga.gov/290/Planning-and-Development

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm permit type and project requirements using Augusta's Building Permits and Permit Requirements pages. The city separates residential and commercial permit packets.
2. Prepare the application package with completed permit application, construction plans, site or plot plan, REScheck or COMcheck, utility tap receipts, septic approval (if applicable), and other project-specific documents.
3. Submit the application in person, by email to permitting@augustaga.gov, or online through the CityView Portal. Augusta sends email confirmation within one business day of receipt.
4. If plan review comments or corrections are issued, submit corrections before permit issuance.
5. Once approved, pay fees in office, by mail (check), or online through CityView. Augusta accepts checks, cash, and card payments (except American Express).
6. Deliver required hard-copy construction plans to the appropriate office: commercial drawings to 535 Telfair Street, Suite 300; residential one- and two-family drawings to 1803 Marvin Griffin Road.
7. Post the permit card at the job site, request inspections, complete all required inspections, and obtain certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion.

Typical processing time: Confirmation email within one business day of submission; general permit issuance turnaround not publicly specified.

Source: Augusta-Richmond County Planning and Development Department

General Requirements

A permit is required if project material cost exceeds $500, if the work type requires inspection under adopted construction codes, or for projects including new construction, renovations, additions, reroofing, signs, swimming pools, and utility or storage buildings. All electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical projects exceeding $500 require permits.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Construction plans and site or plot plan
• REScheck (residential) or COMcheck (commercial)
• Water and sewer tap receipts
• Septic approval (if applicable)
• Termite memorandum
• Compacted fill form (if applicable)
• Homeowner waiver (if applicable)
• Health or agriculture approval (if applicable)
• Retaining wall engineer plans (if applicable)
• Special inspections report (if applicable)
• Asbestos report for demolition (if applicable)

Permit validity

Permits are good for six months with one extension. A permit becomes null and void if authorized work is not commenced within six months of issuance or if no required inspection occurs within six months after issuance.

Building code

Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes for Construction, including 2024 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, ISPSC, IECC and related Georgia amendments, plus 2023 NEC with 2026 Georgia amendments (effective January 1, 2026).

Owner-builder

Single-family permits may be issued to the homeowner only if the owner will own and occupy the house as the primary residence. Owner must have a valid driver's license matching the address and cannot pay anyone to do the work. Rental property is considered commercial and requires a state-licensed contractor.

Contractor requirements

No permit (except for qualifying homeowners) will be issued to anyone other than a properly licensed contractor under Georgia law and Augusta-Richmond County ordinances. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trades require Georgia state licenses or certificates of competency. Residential contractors performing work over $2,500 are subject to Georgia State Licensing Board requirements.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$72 to $125 depending on permit type

Plan check fee

$90.00 per 1,000 square feet for new construction and additions. Flat charges for incidental alteration, minor alteration, major alteration, upfit, retaining wall, and solar review.

Permit fee formula

Residential new construction: $0.24 per square foot under roof. Commercial new construction: 2018 ICC construction cost table x 0.0062. Mixed flat-plus-square-foot formulas for additions and alterations. Some permit types are flat fee.

Trade permit fee

$72 flat fees for residential trades; $100 flat fees for many commercial trades

Reinspection fee

$50 residential reinspection; $50 commercial reinspection. $120 plan revision fee from third submission forward.

Penalty (no permit)

$500 non-compliance fee for residential; commercial non-compliance is $500 or double the permit fee (whichever is greater).

Payment note

Approved permits can be paid in office, by mailed check, or online through CityView. Augusta accepts checks, cash, and card payments except American Express. Expedited plan review is $1,000 plus permit fees.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective June 9, 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds not exceeding 120 square feet (setbacks and easements still apply)
• Minor repairs to electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical systems if determined minor by the Building Official

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Planning and Development Department before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Inspection Request Form (online)
• pddtechs@augustaga.gov (email)
• 706-312-5050 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests received by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day; requests after 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the second business day. Allow 24 hours prior notice.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Time windows

Not separately specified; allow 24 hours for inspection scheduling.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: foundation or footing work (as applicable), framing and trade rough inspections, specialty inspections such as pool or retaining wall (where applicable), final trade inspections, then certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion. Sequence inferred from permit forms and inspection requirements.

Not specified in publicly available materials.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes for Construction, including 2024 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, ISPSC, IECC and related Georgia amendments, plus 2023 NEC with 2026 Georgia amendments (effective January 1, 2026).
• Verify contractor license: Georgia Secretary of State Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Permit Information
• When Permits are Required
• Permit Holders Responsibilities
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

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