Building permits in unincorporated Clayton County are issued by the Community & Economic Development Department's Building Permits Division, with applications filed through the county's Tyler EnerGov Customer Self Service portal. A new Planning & Development fee schedule took effect May 1, 2025.
This Clayton County building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how fees work, the EnerGov self-service process, trade permits, and inspections — so your Clayton project starts clean.
This guide covers unincorporated Clayton County (including communities such as Rex). Clayton's cities — Jonesboro, Forest Park, Morrow, Riverdale, Lake City, Lovejoy, College Park (part) — run their own permitting. Confirm the parcel is unincorporated before applying. Georgia's mandatory codes updated to the 2024 International Codes effective January 1, 2026.
What requires a building permit in Clayton County?
Under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes and the Clayton County Code (Chapter 18), a permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of most structures, or installing/altering regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and accessory structures
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Reroofing, window and door replacement, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing and gas alterations and water heaters
- Swimming pools, signs, and retaining walls
- Change-of-use projects
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Prefab tool/storage sheds and playhouses (not on a permanent foundation, ≤120 sq ft)
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering structure or systems
- 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. Confirm the parcel is unincorporated and apply through the EnerGov portal first.
Who handles permitting in Clayton County?
Permitting and inspections are administered by the Building Permits Division within Community & Economic Development; the Planning, Zoning & Sustainability division handles zoning. Applications, plans, and affidavits are submitted through the EnerGov self-service portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Community Development, 121 South McDonough Street, Jonesboro, GA 30236 |
| Inspections | (770) 477-3569 |
| Online portal | Tyler EnerGov Customer Self Service (account required) |
| Covers | Unincorporated Clayton County only |
| Fee schedule | Updated effective May 1, 2025 |
| Enforced code | Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes |
Apply through the EnerGov self-service portal. Create or log into your Customer Self Service account, submit the application with plans, scope description, and supporting affidavits, and upload documents in PDF. The current Planning & Development fee schedule took effect May 1, 2025.
Clayton County building permit cost
Clayton County building permit fees are set by the Planning & Development fee schedule (updated effective May 1, 2025) and based on the type and valuation of work, with separate fees for each trade.
Because fees are valuation-based and adjusted periodically, confirm current amounts in the EnerGov portal or the fee schedule before budgeting. Georgia's $2,500 licensing threshold applies on top of county permitting.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building / construction fee | Based on type and valuation of work; minimum fees apply |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade |
| Plan review | Assessed at submittal for plan-review projects |
| Fee schedule | Updated effective May 1, 2025 |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Required for new occupancy or change of use |
| Work-without-permit | Penalties and possible stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Clayton County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Clayton County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and a state-licensed contractor, each filed in the EnerGov portal.
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. Self-contained refrigeration systems below code thresholds may be exempt — confirm scope.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, pools, signs, and retaining walls are permitted separately. Small prefabricated accessory structures (tool/storage sheds, playhouses) not on a permanent foundation and not exceeding 120 square feet are generally exempt — confirm with the county.
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 Clayton County
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit and confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Clayton County, not one of its cities.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, scope description, valuation, stamped/sealed plans, and required affidavits.
Apply in the EnerGov portal
Create or log into your Customer Self Service account and submit the application and PDF plans.
Plan review & corrections
County staff review the filing under county ordinances and the adopted state minimum codes; resolve comments and resubmit (upload responses to the existing permit record).
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay the assessed fees, then download and post the permit on site with approved plans available.
Schedule inspections through close-out
Request inspections at (770) 477-3569 or online. Complete all required inspections before concealment and final approval/occupancy.
Inspections in Clayton County
Schedule inspections at (770) 477-3569 or through the portal. Complete required building and trade inspections before concealment and final approval. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final.
A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be cleared before a final inspection or Certificate of Occupancy can be requested.
Official Clayton County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Clayton County Building Permits
- 💻 Community & Economic Development
- 📖 Clayton County Code (Ch. 18 Buildings)
- 🪪 GA contractor licensing (Secretary of State)
- 📘 Georgia State Minimum Codes (DCA)
- 🗺️ Planning, Zoning & Sustainability
Simplify Clayton County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Clayton's EnerGov self-service workflow, unincorporated-only jurisdiction, and 2025 fee changes reward applicants who confirm jurisdiction and submit complete packages. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Clayton County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the EnerGov portal and Building Permits Division, so your Clayton submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Clayton County because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Clayton Community Development, the EnerGov Self Service portal, and county ordinances.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- 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 Clayton County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your unincorporated Clayton 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 Clayton County Community & Economic Development Department before filing. This is not legal advice.