In Berrien County, the Code Enforcement Office (Planning & Zoning) at 201 N Davis Street, Room 122, Nashville issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits for the unincorporated county and for Alapaha and Ray City. County code requires permits before any construction begins, every inspection is made by the County’s own inspector, and plan review costs one-fourth of the building permit fee.
What requires a permit in Berrien County?
Section 10-32 of the County code requires contractors, builders and landowners to buy permits before any construction begins, and no building may be built, moved, enlarged or structurally altered except in line with the County’s codes. The Code Enforcement Office issues:
Construction
- Building permits for new construction and additions
- Electrical permits (new construction, remodels, accessory buildings and agricultural uses)
- Plumbing permits (new construction, additions, replacements)
- Heating and air permits (new construction, replacements)
- Mobile home installation inspections and moving permits
Site and other
- Driveway permits, priced by size
- Right-of-way encroachment permits
- Sign permits
- Timber harvesting (logging) permits, at no charge
- Rezoning, special exception and variance applications
A farm shelter or structure with no plumbing or electricity still needs a permit but pays no fee; that exemption does not apply to any building for human occupancy.
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Get a free quote →Who handles permitting in Berrien County?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Permits and inspections | Berrien County Code Enforcement Office (Planning & Zoning) |
| Address | 201 N Davis Street, Room 122, Nashville, GA 31639 (first floor, Administration Building) |
| Phone | 229-686-2149, option 2 |
| Fax | 229-686-2243 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Service area | Unincorporated Berrien County, Alapaha and Ray City |
| County Administration | 229-686-5421 |
The office is staffed by the County’s Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator. It enforces the Land Development Ordinance (zoning, building size and setbacks), the Subdivision Ordinance, the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance and the building codes, and gives information on zoning, land use, construction codes and soil and erosion plans. Its stated service area is the unincorporated county plus Alapaha and Ray City; the City of Nashville and the Town of Enigma are not on that list.
For sites in Nashville or Enigma, ask city hall which office issues building permits there.
Permit costs and fees in Berrien County
Permit fees are set by the Board of Commissioners. The schedule for building permits on new construction and additions is not posted; the County’s page lists these other charges:
| Project | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plan-checking review (valuation over $1,000, plans required) | One-fourth of the building permit fee, on top of the permit fee |
| Moving a building or structure (not a manufactured home) | $100 |
| Mobile home installation inspection | $198 |
| Re-inspection, from the third re-inspection of the same work | $25 each |
| Plumbing, new residential or commercial work | $10 per fixture |
| Rezoning, special exception or variance | $250 |
| Timber harvesting permit | No charge |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →The same page’s fee table also lists $65 plus the electrical fee for moving a manufactured home and setting it up with foundation and anchors. The first two inspections of the same work carry no re-inspection charge.
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits
The Code Enforcement Office issues all trade permits, and the County code allows no self-inspection by plumbing or utility contractors: every inspection is made by the County’s inspection officer. Georgia Power, the EMC or any other supplier may not connect power to a building or manufactured home until the electrical permit is issued.
| Service size | New work | Existing service |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 A | $50 | $25 |
| Over 100–200 A | $80 | $40 |
| Over 200–400 A | $100 | $50 |
| Over 400–600 A | $150 | $75 |
| Over 600–1,000 A | $200 | $100 |
| Over 1,000–2,000 A | $300 | $150 |
| Over 2,000 A | $400 | $200 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →| Equipment | Fee |
|---|---|
| Air conditioner, up to 3 tons | $30 |
| Air conditioner, over 3 to 10 tons | $40 |
| Air conditioner, over 10 tons | $50 |
| Boiler or incinerator | $60 |
| Electric heat, up to 10 kW / over 10 to 20 kW / over 20 kW | $20 / $30 / $40 |
| Gas heat, up to 75,000 Btu | $20 |
| Gas heat, over 75,000 to 125,000 Btu | $30 |
| Gas heat, over 125,000 to 200,000 Btu | $40 |
Plumbing permits cost $10 per fixture for new residential and commercial work.
Rather not deal with the Berrien County building department?
Get a free quote →How to apply: 5-step Berrien County process
The Land Development Ordinance sets the allowed use, building size and setbacks; a rezoning, special exception or variance application costs $250.
Applications for building, electrical, plumbing and heating and air permits are available at the Code Enforcement Office, Room 122.
Where plans are required and the work is valued at over $1,000, pay the plan-checking fee when you submit them.
Permits must be bought before work starts; the County’s page links to an online payment page for permits.
The County inspector makes every inspection, and power is connected only after the electrical permit is issued.
Berrien County inspections
All inspections are made by the County’s inspection officer; contractors cannot self-inspect plumbing or utility work. The first two inspections of the same work are free, and a $25 fee is charged from the third re-inspection onward, for building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work alike. Mobile home installations have their own $198 inspection.
Local Berrien County rules
Timber harvesting: a timber harvesting permit is required but free. Download it, then email it or bring it to the office at 201 N Davis Street, Nashville.
Land development and environment: the County’s Land Development Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Water Resource Protection and River Corridor Protection rules are all published in its code on Municode and enforced by the same office.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Georgia building code
Georgia's State Minimum Standard Codes apply statewide: the 2024 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code, with Georgia Amendments, in force since 1 January 2026; the energy code is still the 2015 IECC with Georgia supplements. The Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes
Berrien County permit search and official resources
County pages and code sections for permits in Berrien County:
- Berrien County — Official Website
- Berrien County — Planning and Zoning / Code Enforcement
- Berrien County Code, Chapter 10: Buildings and Building Regulations
- Berrien County Land Development Ordinance
- Berrien County Subdivision Ordinance
- Berrien County Erosion and Sedimentation Control
Berrien County permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in Berrien County?
The Code Enforcement Office (Planning & Zoning) at 201 N Davis Street, Room 122, Nashville, for the unincorporated county, Alapaha and Ray City. Phone 229-686-2149, option 2.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How much does plan review cost?
One-fourth of the building permit fee, paid when you submit plans, on any job valued at over $1,000 that requires plans.
Do farm buildings need a permit in Berrien County?
Yes, but a farm shelter or structure with no plumbing and no electricity pays no permit fee. Buildings for people to live or work in pay the normal fee.
Can I get power connected before my permit?
No. County code bars Georgia Power, the EMC and other suppliers from connecting a building or manufactured home until an electrical permit has been issued.
How much is a mobile home installation inspection?
$198, according to the County’s Planning and Zoning page.
Is there a fee for re-inspections?
Only from the third re-inspection of the same work, at $25 each.
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More Georgia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Berrien County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.