State building permit guide
Georgia building permits — complete guide (2026)
Georgia is one of the fastest-growing states by construction volume. Atlanta metro dominates permit activity, with Fulton, Gwinnett, and Cobb Counties leading. Georgia adopted the IRC statewide in 2020.
Avg cost: $150–$600
Processing: 1–5 weeks
~80,000 permits/year
159 counties
$150–$600Average permit cost
1–5 weeksProcessing time
~80,000Permits issued/year
PartialADU-friendly
Georgia adopted statewide minimum building codes in 2020. All 159 counties must now enforce the IRC. However, local amendments are allowed. Atlanta and the metro counties have sophisticated systems with online permitting. Many rural counties are still building enforcement capacity.
Permit costs by type — Georgia
| Permit type | Fee range | Processing time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | $75–$200 | 1–3 days | Licensed electrician required statewide |
| Plumbing | $65–$185 | 1–3 days | Licensed plumber required |
| HVAC / Mechanical | $75–$220 | 1–4 days | High AC demand — summer peak |
| Roofing | $100–$300 | 1–3 days | Storm season drives high volume |
| New Construction | $600–$2,000 | 2–7 weeks | Atlanta metro has longer timelines |
| Room Addition | $300–$900 | 2–5 weeks | Varies by county |
| Deck / Patio | $125–$375 | 1–3 weeks | Structural plans required in metro counties |
| Pool | $200–$500 | 2–4 weeks | High demand in Atlanta suburbs |
| ADU | $300–$800 | 2–5 weeks | Atlanta adopted ADU ordinance in 2021 |
| Solar | $75–$225 | 1–5 days | Growing market statewide |
How to get a building permit in Georgia
1
Find your county or city building department
Georgia has 159 counties. Metro Atlanta counties — Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb — have full-service online systems. Rural counties may be paper-based.
2
Licensed contractor requirements
Georgia requires licensed contractors for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. General contracting licenses are also required for projects above certain valuation thresholds.
3
Submit plans for structural work
Additions and new construction require architectural plans. Atlanta metro counties conduct thorough plan reviews.
4
Pay fees
Fees vary by county — Atlanta metro fees are higher than rural Georgia. Most trade permits are flat-rate.
5
Inspections
Metro counties have dedicated inspection divisions with online scheduling. Rural counties may have one shared inspector.
Permit costs by county — top Georgia counties
Fulton (Atlanta) County
$175–$600
2–6 weeks
Gwinnett County
$150–$525
2–5 weeks
Cobb (Marietta) County
$150–$500
2–5 weeks
DeKalb County
$150–$500
2–5 weeks
Cherokee County
$125–$425
1–4 weeks
Chatham (Savannah) County
$125–$400
2–4 weeks
Frequently asked questions — Georgia permits
When did Georgia adopt a statewide building code?
Georgia adopted statewide minimum building codes effective January 1, 2020, under HB 462. All counties must now enforce the IRC and IBC with local amendments allowed.
Does Atlanta allow ADUs?
Yes. Atlanta adopted an ADU ordinance in 2021 allowing accessory dwelling units on single-family lots citywide. Suburban counties have varying ADU rules.
What licenses are required for Georgia contractors?
Georgia requires state licensing for general contractors (projects over $2,500), plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. Verify your contractor's license at the Georgia Secretary of State website.
How does Georgia handle storm damage repairs?
Georgia allows emergency tarping and temporary repairs without a permit after a declared disaster. Permanent repairs still require permits, but emergency procedures speed up processing.
Data sources: US Census Bureau BPS 2024 · Georgia Georgia Department of Community Affairs · Shovels.ai permit aggregator