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

Sec. 14-36 adopts the "Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code (International Plumbing Code with Georgia State Amendments)" by reference for unincorporated Houston County. Sec. " Sec. 14-91(a) requires the owner, authorized agent or contractor to "first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit for the work" before installing, altering, repairing, removing, converting or replacing any plumbing system regulated by the technical codes. Sec. 14-2 adds a separate check for new construction: the building official "shall not issue any building permits until a site approval is received from the health department for proper sewage disposal," tying plumbing and septic approval to the county health department before any permit issues.

An application must include the location and a general description of the proposed work per Sec. 14-91(d), and it lapses under Sec. 14-91(e) if no permit is issued within six months, subject to 90-day extensions the building official can grant for a written, justified request. The building official's inspection authority under Sec. 14-72 lets the office enter a building or premises at reasonable times to check for unsafe plumbing conditions.