Evans County, Georgia Building Permit Guide

In unincorporated Evans County, building, placement, electrical, manufactured home and driveway permits come from County Code Enforcement at 613 West Main Street, Claxton (912-739-1141, option 5). Under the fee schedule adopted on September 17, 2025, a new home or commercial building permit is $250, and additions, pools and shops are $100.

What needs a permit in Evans County?

The County’s Building and Placement ordinance applies to every structure placed, built or located in Evans County outside the incorporated cities. Anyone placing, building or replacing a structure, addition or building of any kind must apply to the Code Enforcement Office. It names mobile homes, utility buildings, barns and other fixed or portable structures.

Who handles permits in Evans County?

County Code Enforcement issues the County’s building, placement and related permits for the unincorporated county; the Building and Placement ordinance excludes the incorporated municipalities. Walt Purcell is the Code Administrator. Septic permits come from the Evans County Health Department. The County’s published sources do not say who issues building permits inside Bellville, Daisy or Hagan; contact the town hall before applying.

Evans County permit fees

These are the Code Enforcement fees in the schedule adopted on September 17, 2025. The County’s FY2027 fee schedule shows the same rates for these permits.

The County’s manufactured home ordinance still lists $100 for a new home permit; the adopted fee schedule sets $250.

Electrical permits and service connections

Under the County’s electrical permit ordinance, a power company may not connect a new customer, reconnect an existing one or add service until the customer has an electrical permit. The 1998 ordinance named the Tax Assessor’s Office as the issuer; the current fee schedule lists the $50 electrical permit under Code Enforcement.

• Outside a flood plain, the meter must be at least 4 feet above average ground level; in a flood plain, at least 8 feet.
• Service poles must be at least 3 feet from any part of the building they serve.
• The customer must also meet any requirements of the power company.
• No permit is needed when service is restored after non-payment or weather damage, or for a connection to a commercial business.

The County’s fee schedule has no separate plumbing or HVAC permits.

How to get an Evans County permit

Inspections and manufactured homes

The County’s manufactured home ordinance sets out its inspection process. A pre-owned home needs a permit before it is located in the county, and the County issues it within 30 days of receiving all the required items: an affidavit, photographs showing the home meets the minimum standards, the $250 condition bond or deposit and the $250 permit and inspection fee.

The fee covers the first inspection and one follow-up. If the applicant asks for the home to be inspected outside the county before it is moved, an extra $250 applies. The building inspector must issue a certificate of occupancy before permanent utilities are connected; a home that still fails on the third inspection loses its permit and must be removed, and the bond is forfeited if the home does not meet the standards within 90 days of inspection.

Local Evans County rules

Manufactured home standards: homes must be skirted with new, fireproof material such as metal or brick unless the inspector specifies otherwise, and every door needs steps or a landing.

Camper trailers: allowed only on a temporary basis, on generator power with no permanent power connection, with a self-contained waste tank and a current license plate.

Moving homes: moving a mobile home into the county, within it or out of it without the required entry, relocation or exit permit is a violation.

Penalties: failing to comply with the Building and Placement ordinance is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both, on top of the permit fee.

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

Evans County permit search and official resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Georgia DCA — Current State Minimum Codes
• Evans County — Contact Us
• Evans County — County Ordinances
• Evans County — Code Enforcement
• Evans County Schedule of Fees (adopted September 2025)
• Evans County FY2027 Fee Schedule
• Evans County Building and Placement ordinance
• Evans County Electrical Permit Ordinance
• Evans County Manufactured Home Ordinance

Evans County permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Evans County?

County Code Enforcement, 613 West Main Street, Claxton, for property outside the incorporated cities. Call 912-739-1141 and choose option 5.

How much is a building permit in Evans County?

$250 for a residential or commercial building and $100 for additions, pools, shops and other buildings, under the schedule adopted on September 17, 2025.

Do I need an electrical permit before the power is connected?

Yes. A power company may not connect a new customer or reconnect an existing one without an electrical permit. The permit is $50.

What does a manufactured home permit cost?

$250 for a new or pre-owned home. A pre-owned home also needs a $250 refundable condition bond or deposit, and its fee covers the first inspection and one follow-up.

Can I live in a camper trailer?

Only temporarily. Camper trailers must run on generator power, cannot connect to permanent power and need a self-contained waste tank and a current license plate.

What happens if I build without a permit?

It is a misdemeanor under the Building and Placement ordinance, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both, plus the permit fee.

Simplify Evans County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Georgia. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Evans County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.