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

The Building Code Ordinance for Chatham County (Code § 20-101 through § 20-108) is enacted under the county's Home Rule authority (Ga. Const. Art. IX, § II) and covers structural strength, sanitation, ventilation and fire safety for any construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, use or occupancy of a building. Section § 20-201 adopts the International Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Fire Prevention Codes and bars erecting, altering or wiring any structure in the county without complying with them. No permit is issued until fees are paid in full (§ 20-302; nonprofits with IRS tax-exempt status are exempt), and a separate permit is required for every building, not one blanket permit for multiple structures (§ 20-303(3)).

If the Director of Building Safety believes a project's stated valuation is understated, the Director sets the value under the County Revenue Ordinance (§ 20-201(6)). A permit lapses if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance, or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days, though the Director can grant an extension consistent with the International Building Code once a $30 reinspection fee is paid (§ 20-307). Anyone who disagrees with a Director's decision can appeal in writing within five days to the nine-member Board of Adjustments and Appeals, made up of contractors, an electrician, a plumber, an architect, an engineer and a fire-service and public member; the appeal carries a $100 fee, and if the Board doesn't rule within 30 days the Director's decision stands (§ 20-201(7)-(13)).