Heard County, Georgia Building Permit Guide

Building permits in Heard County come from the Building & Zoning office, Room 500 of the County Administration Building at 201 Park Avenue, Franklin (706-675-3700). The fee follows the County’s valuation chart: $75 for work up to $2,000 and $663 at $100,000, and the permit must be issued before footings are dug.

What requires a permit in Heard County?

The Building Department reviews all building applications and enforces the codes for building, fire prevention, grading, housing, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and swimming pools. The County publishes applications and fees for:

A dwelling must have at least 1,000 sq ft of living space. Accessory buildings permitted on the accessory structure application cannot be used as dwellings.

Who handles permitting in Heard County?

Building & Zoning combines the Building Department, which reviews applications, inspects construction and maintains the County address system, and the Zoning Department, which applies the Heard County Zoning Ordinance and prepares cases for the Planning Commission. The zoning compliance form in the permit packet asks whether the property is inside any city limits; Heard County’s towns are Franklin, Centralhatchee and Ephesus.

For sites in Franklin, Centralhatchee or Ephesus, ask that town hall which office issues building permits.

Permit costs and fees in Heard County

Permits for site-built and manufactured homes, accessory structures and pools are priced from the County’s Building Permit Fee Chart, using the project valuation:

For example, a $250,000 home pays $1,163 plus 50 × $4, or $1,363.

The driveway application is mailed to P.O. Box 397 with a $40 check or money order and a prepaid self-addressed envelope, and the owner must flag the driveway location. The $100 re-inspection fee must be paid to Building & Zoning before the inspector will return.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work

Building & Zoning issues electrical permits ($100 up to 200 amps) and HVAC permits ($100). The building application lists the electrician, plumber and heating and air contractor with their licence numbers, and proof of licence is required. Plumbing work is inspected at the under-slab and rough-in stages.

A homeowner building their own residence can sign the Homeowner Permit Affidavit for plumbing, electrical and mechanical work. The owner states that they live or will live on the premises, own the property, act as their own subcontractor, hire licensed contractors for any work they subcontract and follow the inspection schedule.

Documents for a new home

The County’s requirements for a site-built home permit are:

• Deed and survey of the property, showing the lot, existing and proposed buildings, setbacks and parking
• Tax map of the property from the Tax Assessor’s Office
• Approved zoning compliance from the Zoning Department; the Tax Assessor’s Office completes part of this form
• Setback compliance form
• Building plans, either printed (hand-drawn plans are not accepted) or sent electronically
• Septic tank permit from the Heard County Health Department
• Approved driveway permit from the County or Georgia DOT; once it is approved, Building & Zoning issues the address
• The application, complete, signed and notarised

Plans should show the electrical and plumbing layout. Room additions and remodels use a shorter application giving the size of the addition, footing, framing, wall and roof details and setbacks.

How to apply: 6-step Heard County process

Heard County inspections

Before you call for any inspection, the permit and address or lot number must be posted in a conspicuous place, the driveway must be passable with its culvert installed to County standards, and erosion controls must be in place. No inspection is carried out on a site with inadequate erosion control. Request all rough-ins at the same time.

The County’s inspection list for a home is: footing and silt fence (the temporary power pole is inspected with the footing), plumbing under slab, slab preparation, foundation, floor framing before decking, electrical, plumbing and heating and air rough-ins, fireplace, framing, nail pattern (before house wrap or exterior finishes), insulation, 30-day temporary electrical, and final. The dwelling cannot be occupied on temporary power; a Certificate of Occupancy is needed before you move in.

A permit becomes void if work does not start within 6 months of issue, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months at any time.

Local Heard County details

Setbacks: the County’s minimums are 20 feet at the side, 25 feet at the rear, and 100 feet from the edge of a paved road or 125 feet from the edge of a dirt road. Accessory structures must meet the same setbacks as the main building.

Living in an RV while you build: County Code Sec. 8-68 allows an RV or camper as temporary living quarters on the building site once you have a building permit for your own home, if it is connected to a Health Department-approved sewage system. It can be used for up to 6 months or until the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, whichever comes first.

Zoning cases: rezoning, special use and variance applications are filed with the Zoning Department and heard by the Planning Commission.

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

Heard County permit search and official resources

• Georgia DCA — Current State Minimum Codes
• Heard County — Official Website
• Heard County Building & Zoning
• Heard County building permits and fees
• Heard County building permit fee chart (PDF)
• Heard County building permit application packet (PDF)
• Heard County accessory structure and pool application (PDF)
• Heard County driveway permit application (PDF)

Heard County permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Heard County?

Heard County Building & Zoning, Room 500, 201 Park Avenue, Franklin (706-675-3700, hcbuilding@heardcountyga.com).

How much is a building permit in Heard County?

It depends on the project value: $75 up to $2,000, $663 at $100,000 and $1,363 for a $250,000 home. Electrical and HVAC permits are $100 each.

What is the minimum house size?

1,000 square feet of living space.

Can a homeowner pull permits?

Yes, for a home they live in or will live in, by signing the notarised Homeowner Permit Affidavit and hiring licensed contractors for any work they subcontract.

When do I need the permit?

Before the footings are dug. It expires if work does not start within 6 months.

What happens if an inspection fails?

A $100 re-inspection fee must be paid to Building & Zoning before the inspector comes back.

Can I live in a camper while building?

Yes, once you have the building permit, if the camper is on the building site and connected to an approved sewage system, for up to 6 months or until the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Simplify Heard 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 Heard County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.