Building Safety in Bartow County, GA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Bartow County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Bartow County requires a minimum NFPA 13R automatic fire sprinkler system in community living arrangements, personal care homes, lodging and rooming houses, and board-and-care occupancies. The mandate does not extend to an ordinary one- or two-family home used as a private residence in unincorporated Bartow County.
Fire Sprinklers Required, Bartow County Care Homes
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code § 18-6(a), (c)(1)
(a)Scope. This document covers all new buildings or portions thereof and all existing one- and two-family dwellings being converted to be used as personal care homes, community living arrangements, lodging or rooming houses and residential board and care homes of six or less residents who are not related to the owners or operators by either blood or marriage, whether licensed by a state agency ...
Childcare Center Rules
In unincorporated Bartow County, an in-home child day care for six or fewer children is a permitted use in the A-1, RE-1, RE-2, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 residential districts, but Zoning Ordinance Sec. 9.1.3(D) requires at least 35 square feet of indoor space per child, 100 square feet of fenced outdoor play area per child, and proof of state licensing before the county will approve the use.
Bartow County Child Day Care Space Rules
Some RestrictionsBartow County Zoning Ordinance § 9.1.1, § 9.1.3(D)
Child day care: ... A use that provides care, assistance with personal services and/or supervision for children for more than four (4) hours and less than twenty-four (24) hours per day. Uses providing medical services or assistance with medical or rehabilitative treatment are not included. ... (D)In home child day cares and kindergartens, for six or fewer children, are permitted in A-1, RE-1, ...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Bartow County's fire code requires carbon monoxide detectors in community living arrangements, personal care homes, lodging and rooming houses, and board-and-care occupancies that use gas, LP gas, heating oil, or a solid-fuel fireplace. The rule explicitly does not reach an ordinary one- or two-family home used as a private residence.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Bartow County Care Homes
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code § 18-6(a), (d)(2)-(3)
(a)Scope. This document covers all new buildings or portions thereof and all existing one- and two-family dwellings being converted to be used as personal care homes, community living arrangements, lodging or rooming houses and residential board and care homes of six or less residents who are not related to the owners or operators by either blood or marriage, whether licensed by a state agency ...
Building Permits
Unincorporated Bartow County requires a permit before anyone builds, enlarges, alters, repairs, or changes the occupancy of a building or structure, or works on its electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. Starting any such regulated construction or land-disturbing work before the permit issues is unlawful under the county's building code.
When Bartow County Requires a Building Permit
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code § 18-117
Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, or change the occupancy of a building or a structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the standard building codes, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make applic...
Electrical Permits
Unincorporated Bartow County enforces the National Electrical Code as one of the state minimum standard codes, and anyone who wants to install, alter, repair, convert, or replace an electrical system regulated by that code must first get a permit from the county building official before starting work.
Bartow County Electrical Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code § 18-31(2), § 18-117
The following standard building codes are in force in each county of this state as a matter of law, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 8-2-25, and are therefore in force in Bartow County: ... (2)National Electrical Code (NFPA); ... Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, or change the occupancy of a building or a structure, or to erect, install, enlarge,...
Plumbing Permits
Unincorporated Bartow County enforces the International Plumbing Code as one of the state minimum standard codes, and anyone who wants to install, alter, repair, convert, or replace a plumbing system regulated by that code must first get a permit from the county building official before starting work.
Bartow County Plumbing Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code § 18-31(5), § 18-117
The following standard building codes are in force in each county of this state as a matter of law, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 8-2-25, and are therefore in force in Bartow County: ... (5)International Plumbing Code (ICC); ... Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, or change the occupancy of a building or a structure, or to erect, install, enlarg...
Building Inspections
Bartow County requires a building official to inspect construction at defined stages before releasing work to proceed, ending with a final inspection before occupancy. County Code § 18-283 fixes the typical foundation, rough-in, insulation, and final inspection sequence for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work under a single permit.
Bartow County Building Inspection Order
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code § 18-283(a), (b)(1)
(a)Generally. The building official upon notification from the permit holder or his agent shall make the following inspections and such other inspections as necessary, and shall either release that portion of the construction or shall notify the permit holder or his agent of any violations which must be corrected in order to comply with the technical code. ... (b)Typical order of inspections.(1...
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