Columbus, GA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 8-14.4(a)(1) requires anyone who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure to apply to the building official and get a permit before starting. Once a renovation clears that threshold, § 8-14.4(g)(4)a sets a stepped fee at subparagraphs 3 through 5: a flat $100.00 for renovation work under $25,000.00, $150.00 for projects over $25,000.00 up to and including $50,000.00, and $250.00 for projects over $50,000.00 up to and including $75,000.00. Cross the $75,000.00 line and the job is reclassified as a 'substantial renovation,' billed instead under the square-footage schedule in subparagraphs 1 and 2: $0.35 per square foot for one- and two-family residential work (minimum $250.00) and, for commercial space, $0.65 per square foot for assembly and educational occupancies, $0.55 for residential occupancies, $0.50 for business and mercantile, and $0.40 for everything else.

A handful of jobs don't need a permit at all under § 8-14.4(a)(2)a, including painting, papering, tiling and cabinetry; swings and playground equipment; prefabricated swimming pools under 24 inches deep; and window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches without extra support. A permit becomes invalid if the authorized work hasn't started within six months of issuance, or if it's suspended for six months once begun, though the building official can grant extensions of up to 90 days at a time for a written, justified request (§ 8-14.4(f)(1)). A certificate of occupancy, required before a non-residential building is used or its occupancy changed, costs $60.00 under the same fee schedule.