Clayton County, GA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Sec. 18-41(a) requires any owner, agent or contractor who wants to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building, or to install, alter or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system covered by the construction codes, to first apply to the county official and get a permit. The section lists narrow exemptions: portable or prefabricated accessory structures under 120 square feet not on a permanent foundation, site-built buildings under 120 square feet, water tanks under 5,000 gallons on grade, driveways and sidewalks no more than 30 inches above grade, finish work like painting and cabinetry, pools shallower than 24 inches, playground equipment, small window awnings, and short-term movie or theater sets, among others (18-41, Building exceptions (1)-(12)).

The application goes to the county official on a county form with a general description and location of the work, signed by the owner or an authorized agent (18-41(d)). An application is deemed abandoned six months after filing if no permit has issued by then, though the official can grant extensions of up to 90 days each for justified cause (18-41(e)). Once issued, the permit itself becomes invalid if work doesn't start within six months or is suspended for six months, and every permit expires 18 months after issuance regardless (Sec. 18-46(a)). Sec. 18-44 lets the county official refuse a permit application that doesn't conform to the construction codes, in writing with reasons upon request.