Building Permits
What are the benefits of having a building permit?
Increased Value — Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. If you decide to sell a home or building with modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied, or do costly repairs. Protects — A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met, as demonstrated by a code official’s carefully maintained records, has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.
Ensures Safety — Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety, and welfare. By following code guidelines, your completed project will meet minimum safety standards and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends, or future owners. Remodeling or repairing a residential home requires that the house be equipped with smoke detectors, if none exist, before the final inspection of the permitted work.
BUILDING PERMIT TYPES
Before you begin your project, it's a good idea to become familiar with the different types of permits for your project. Below are the types of permits, along with those projects that need permits and those that do not.
Building Permit
Required for all construction work, including additions, patio covers, carport enclosures, walls/fences, retaining walls, and accessory buildings (storage buildings 199 sq. ft or less only require a site plan).
Manufactured home permits are only issued to installers licensed by the state. (Title 43 - Georgia Code)
Electrical Permit
Electrical wiring must be installed, altered, rebuilt, or repaired on any building, structure, swimming pool, or mechanical equipment. Permits cannot be issued on vacant lots.
Plumbing Permit
Required to install, alter, reconstruct, or repair any plumbing system, gas system, lawn sprinkler supply, or water heater replacement.
Mechanical Permit
Required to install, alter, reconstruct, or repair any furnace, refrigeration, or other air conditioning equipment or system, except portable or window units.
All residential permit applications must be complete with the required documents (listed on the application); partial applications cannot be processed. A $50.00 administrative review fee is associated with each residential building permit. There is a minimum four (4) day review period on all complete residential permit applications; you will be notified of the permit status. Please select the Residential Building/Development link at the Applications and Forms link. Specific residential projects also require a Land Disturbance Permit and a state DEP Notice of Intent. Please review the Notice of Intent link.
Today’s Inspections
inspectionrequests@dawsoncountyga.gov
Current Mandatory Codes, as Adopted by the State of Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), can be accessed by the link below. Current Georgia code amendments are available on the website:
https://www.dca.ga.gov/local-government-assistance/construction-codes-in...
Land Disturbance Permit
Any project involving more than one acre of disturbed area or is within 200 feet of the bank of any state waters requires submittal of an Erosion Control Plan to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 706-525-7109. The approved erosion control plan is your land disturbance permit and is a component of the application for a building permit.
Local Agency Contacts:
If your project is on public water and sewer, John Cronan, Etowah Water, 706-216-8474, johnc@etowahwater.com.
Environmental Health, 706-265-2930, dph.ga.gov if your project/business serves food.
If your project will be on-site septic, Bill Ringle, Environmental Health, 706-265-2930, bill.ringle@dph.ga.gov.
Louise McPherson, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS louise.mcpherson@usda.gov, 706-525-7109, review all commercial site development and grading plans. The approved erosion control plan is your land disturbance permit and is a component of the application for a residential permit. Also, please provide a copy of the notice of intent (NOI) filed with the Environmental Protection Division. https://epd.georgia.gov/complete-process-submitting-notice-intent-noi-using-geo
The Dawson County Fire Marshal's Office enforces the 2018 International Fire Code with Georgia Amendments.
Point of contact for soil erosion/stormwater concerns: Robbie Irvin, Stormwater Manager
(706) 344-3500 ex 44412
Please utilize the online permit application Energov on the portal. We are transitioning to a digital review process in 2024, and not all Energov links are currently functional.
