Building permits in unincorporated Chatham County are issued by the Department of Building Safety & Regulatory Services. As a coastal county, Chatham puts heavy emphasis on flood-zone compliance — Elevation Certificates, base-flood-elevation rules, and the Georgia Flood Map Program all factor into permitting.
This Chatham County building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how fees work, the application process, coastal flood-zone rules, trade permits, and inspections — so your Chatham project starts clean.
This guide covers unincorporated Chatham County. The City of Savannah and other municipalities run their own permitting (though the county has been retained by some incorporated jurisdictions for plan review and inspections). Coastal flood zones are central here — confirm your flood zone early. Georgia's mandatory codes updated to the 2024 International Codes effective January 1, 2026.
What requires a building permit in Chatham County?
Under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes and the Chatham County Code, a permit is required for most major changes to a structure in the unincorporated county. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and major alterations
- Structural work, foundation/footing repair, and joist replacement
- Reroofing, fences, canopies, and awnings
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Manufactured / mobile home setup (Zone II/III, HUD-certified)
- Signs (per the Chatham County Zoning Ordinance)
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering structure or systems
- Work waived by the Director of Inspections (confirm)
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Obtain required approvals and apply at least five business days ahead.
Who handles permitting in Chatham County?
Permitting, inspections, and tax certificates are administered by the Department of Building Safety & Regulatory Services. Permit applications and fees are accepted in person or by mail, and certain projects need Health Department (septic) or other approvals first.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | 1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite D, Savannah, GA 31406 |
| Mailing | Dept. of Building Safety & Regulatory Services, P.O. Box 8161, Savannah, GA 31412-8161 |
| Phone | (912) 201-4300 (Occupational Tax 912.201.4302) |
| Intake | In person or by mail; submit at least 5 business days in advance |
| Application fee | $25 one-time, non-refundable processing fee (fees non-refundable) |
| Enforced code | Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes |
Plan for in-person or mail intake. Applications and fees are accepted at 1117 Eisenhower Drive, Suite D, or by mail; permit applications must be submitted at least five business days in advance to be considered, and a $25 non-refundable application processing fee applies. Evidence of insurance must be submitted before a permit is effective.
Chatham County building permit cost
Chatham County building permit fees are set by the department and based on the type and valuation of work, with a one-time non-refundable $25 application processing fee. All fees are non-refundable except in extraordinary circumstances.
Coastal projects may carry added requirements — flood-zone elevation, FEMA Elevation Certificates, and (for septic) Health Department approval. Confirm current amounts and requirements with the department before budgeting.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Application processing fee | $25 one-time, non-refundable |
| Building / construction fee | Based on type and valuation of work |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade |
| Flood-zone requirements | Elevation Certificate required in flood zones (FEMA) |
| Septic / Health | Health Department approval required where a septic tank is involved |
| Work-without-permit | Penalties and possible stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Chatham County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Chatham County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and a state-licensed contractor with a valid state and local business tax certificate, each filed for the project.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations, performed by a contractor licensed through the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, and gas piping, performed by a state-licensed plumbing contractor.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration, performed by a state-licensed conditioned-air contractor. In flood zones, equipment and ductwork must be elevated above the base flood elevation.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, fences, canopies, and signs are permitted separately. Manufactured/mobile homes must be Zone II or III and HUD-certified (built after June 15, 1976); in flood zones, an Elevation Certificate is required and the home and HVAC equipment must sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
Verify your contractor's license. Georgia licenses general and residential contractors through the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, and electrical, plumbing, HVAC/conditioned-air, and low-voltage contractors through the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board (both under the Secretary of State). Most projects over $2,500 require a licensed contractor, and only a licensed contractor — or a homeowner on their own residence — may pull a permit. Verify before signing; the property owner is responsible for ensuring a permit is obtained.
How to get a building permit in Chatham County
Confirm scope, jurisdiction & flood zone
Verify the work needs a permit, confirm the parcel is unincorporated, and check the flood zone using the Georgia Flood Map Program.
Obtain prerequisite approvals
Secure any required approvals first — Health Department (septic), Elevation Certificate (flood zones), and evidence of insurance.
Prepare & submit your application
Submit the application, plans, and $25 processing fee in person at 1117 Eisenhower Drive or by mail — at least five business days in advance.
Plan review & corrections
Building Safety reviews for code, zoning, and flood compliance; resolve any comments and resubmit.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay the calculated (non-refundable) fees, then post the permit on site with approved plans available.
Schedule inspections through close-out
Schedule inspections through the department; for flood-zone and mobile-home projects, the Finished Construction Elevation Certificate is due before final inspection and power release.
Inspections in Chatham County
Schedule inspections through the Department of Building Safety & Regulatory Services. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final. In flood zones, the Finished Construction Elevation Certificate must be submitted before the final inspection and power release.
A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be cleared before a final inspection or power release can be requested.
Official Chatham County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services
- 💻 Permit applications & forms
- 📋 When permits are required
- 🪪 GA contractor licensing (Secretary of State)
- 📘 Georgia State Minimum Codes (DCA)
- 🗺️ Chatham County (zoning & GIS)
Simplify Chatham County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Chatham's in-person intake, five-day lead time, and coastal flood-zone requirements reward applicants who line up approvals and elevation documentation before they file. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Chatham County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know Building Safety & Regulatory Services and the county's flood-zone rules, so your Chatham submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Chatham County because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Chatham Building Safety & Regulatory Services, the intake process, and coastal flood-zone requirements.
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- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in Chatham County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your unincorporated Chatham County permits while you stay focused on building. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.
More Georgia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Chatham County Department of Building Safety & Regulatory Services before filing. This is not legal advice.