Catoosa County, GA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- State-adopted Electrical Code, § 18-31(5)
- Enforcing official
- County building inspector, § 18-32
- Fees
- Set by attachment B, § 18-33
- Local minimum wire
- 12 A.W.G. copper, § 18-34
- Switch-leg exception
- 14 A.W.G. wire allowed on switch leg
Summary
Unincorporated Catoosa County enforces the state-adopted Electrical Code under Sec. 18-31, with the county building inspector administering permits per an attachment-A fee/enforcement schedule, and locally amends the code in Sec. 18-34 to require minimum 12 A.W.G. copper wire.
The following codes, the latest editions, as adopted and amended by the state department of community affairs, are hereby adopted by reference and shall be enforced within the county: ... (5)State adopted Electrical Code including: All appendices. ... The county building inspector shall enforce the provisions of this article and the codes adopted herein as provided in attachment A to the ordinance from which this article was derived. ... The schedule for permit fees applicable under this article shall be as set forth in attachment B to the ordinance from which this article is derived and shall be maintained in the office of the building official in accordance with attachment B. ... (a)The provisions of the National Electrical Code, Standard Fire Prevention Code, CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code and the Standard Building Code which provide for the use of electrical wire smaller than number 12 A.W.G. copper are deleted in their entirety.(b)From and after the date of the adoption of this section, the minimum electrical carrying wire shall be number 12 A.W.G. copper except that on the switch leg number 14 A.W.G. wire may be used.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 18, Article II Construction Codes governs electrical work in unincorporated Catoosa County. Sec. 18-31 adopts by reference 'the latest editions, as adopted and amended by the state department of community affairs' of a list of codes including item (5), the 'State adopted Electrical Code including: All appendices,' enforceable countywide. Sec. 18-32 assigns enforcement to the county building inspector, who administers the codes under attachment A to the original 1995 ordinance. Sec. 18-33 sets permit fees according to attachment B, maintained in the building official's office.
Catoosa County also locally tightens the National Electrical Code in Sec. 18-34: subsection (a) deletes any code provision allowing electrical wire smaller than number 12 A.W.G. copper, and subsection (b) sets the county minimum at number 12 A.W.G. copper, with an exception allowing number 14 A.W.G. wire on a switch leg. Subsection (c) repeals any conflicting minimum-wire provisions in codes otherwise enforced in the county. This local amendment applies on top of, not instead of, the state electrical code adopted in Sec. 18-31, meaning an electrician pulling permits in unincorporated Catoosa County must meet both the state code and this county-specific minimum-gauge rule.
Violations & Fines
The building inspector administers and enforces Chapter 18's construction codes under Sec. 18-32's attachment-A framework, and a permit or inspection that reveals wiring smaller than 12 A.W.G. copper (other than the permitted 14 A.W.G. switch-leg exception) fails Sec. 18-34's local amendment even if it otherwise met the adopted National Electrical Code before the deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What electrical code does unincorporated Catoosa County enforce?
Does Catoosa County require a bigger minimum wire gauge than the standard electrical code?
Who sets electrical permit fees in unincorporated Catoosa County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Catoosa County
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