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Paulding County, GA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Code adopted
International Plumbing Code, DCA edition
Local sewer depth minimum
12 inches (Sec. 305.4.1)
Permit issuer
Permits and inspections division
Late-start penalty
100% of usual permit fee
Exposed pipe rule
Must be recessed/protected in yards, alleys, driveways

Summary

Paulding County enforces the International Plumbing Code as a mandatory technical code, with its own local amendments on water-fixture flow rates and sewer depth, and requires a permit from the permits and inspections division before any covered plumbing system is installed or altered.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Paulding County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The county shall enforce the latest edition of the following current mandatory codes as adopted and amended by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs:(1)International Building Code.(2)International Residential Code.(3)International Fire Code.(4)International Plumbing Code...(d)The various International and National codes listed in subsection (b) shall be amended to reflect the following Paulding County specific information:...(2)International Plumbing Code.i.The following sections are hereby revised:...b.Chapter 3, Section 305.4.1 Sewer depth. Insert: 12-inches

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).

Full Breakdown

Sec. 18-31(b)(4) lists the International Plumbing Code among the current mandatory codes the county enforces as adopted and amended by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Sec. 7. Under Sec. 18-61, any owner, agent, or contractor who wants 'to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, move, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes' must first apply to the permits and inspections division and obtain a permit before starting the work. Sec. 18-65 requires the permit application to describe the proposed work and its location and be signed by the owner or an authorized agent, and Sec.

18-68 puts the county building official in charge of examining the application to confirm it meets the Plumbing Code as locally amended. Sec. 18-71(d) sets the plumbing permit fee using International Code Council building valuation data as adopted by the board of commissioners, and Sec. 18-73 bars occupancy of any building until its plumbing system passes final inspection and a certificate of occupancy issues.

Violations & Fines

Sec. 18-71(b) imposes a penalty equal to 100 percent of the usual permit fee on anyone who commences plumbing work before obtaining the required permit, in addition to the permit fee itself, and the county building official may refuse to issue a permit under Sec. 18-69(b) for plumbing work that does not conform to the International Plumbing Code as locally amended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Paulding County require a permit for plumbing work?
Yes. Sec. 18-61 requires anyone who wants to install, alter, or replace a plumbing system regulated by the technical codes to first obtain a permit from the permits and inspections division, and Sec. 18-31(b)(4) confirms the International Plumbing Code is one of the mandatory adopted codes.
Has Paulding County changed any part of the International Plumbing Code?
Yes. Sec. 18-31(d)(2) locally amends the code to set a 12-inch minimum sewer depth, add WaterSense-based flow definitions for faucets and showerheads, and require plumbing components exposed in yards, alleys or driveways to be recessed or otherwise protected from damage.
What is the penalty for plumbing work done without a permit in Paulding County?
Sec. 18-71(b) charges a penalty equal to 100 percent of the usual permit fee for commencing plumbing, electrical, gas or mechanical work before the necessary permit is obtained, on top of the standard permit fee.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Paulding County

All Paulding County rules

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