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

Newton County Code § 10-4(a) puts the permit duty on the owner, an authorized agent, or the contractor doing the work: anyone who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to install, alter, repair or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, must first apply to the building official in the county's department of development services and obtain a permit before starting. The building official, appointed by the board of commissioners under § 10-2, reviews the application, construction documents, site plan and use description required by § 10-4(c), and either issues the permit or rejects it in writing with reasons.

A permit is not proof the work is lawful. It becomes invalid if work is not started within 180 days of issuance or is suspended for 180 days once started, though the building official may grant 90-day extensions for good cause under § 10-4(e). An application itself is deemed abandoned after 180 days if not pursued in good faith. The building official may also suspend or revoke a permit for a false statement on the application or for work that violates the adopted construction codes. 00, listed in § 10-4(b). Disputes over the building official's decisions go to the county board of appeals under § 10-11.