Murray County, Georgia Building Permit Guide

The Murray County Building Inspection Department in Chatsworth does all permitting and inspections for unincorporated Murray County and the City of Eton, while the City of Chatsworth has its own zoning department. Applications start on the County’s Land Development Application, every licensed contractor signs the permit in person, and inspections must be called in at least a day ahead.

What requires a permit in Murray County?

The Building Department issues building, electrical, plumbing, heating and air, and manufactured home permits. The Land Development Application covers frame (site-built), manufactured home and commercial buildings, and the Land Use department reviews related applications.

The County notes that storage buildings, campers and recreational vehicles are not designed as dwellings and should not be used as permanent homes.

Who handles permitting in Murray County?

The Building Inspection Department does all permitting and inspections for unincorporated Murray County and the City of Eton, and its inspectors carry out every required inspection as it is called in. The Land Use and Development Department, led by Administrator Dick Barnes, reviews building permit applications for zoning, land disturbance, soil erosion and stormwater, and handles rezoning, conditional uses and variances. The City of Chatsworth has its own zoning department.

Permits are valid for one year from the date of issue, and the application fee is non-refundable once the form has been processed.

Electrical, plumbing and heating and air permits

The Building Department issues the trade permits along with the building permit. Every licensed contractor on the project must come to the Building Inspection office with photo ID and their contractor licence to sign the permit for their part of the work, and that part will not be inspected until they have signed. The County also publishes Residential Electrical Guidelines and the service requirements of Georgia Power and North Georgia EMC.

How to apply in Murray County

Inspections in Murray County

All inspections must be called in at least one day in advance, and the contractor is responsible for calling them in. The County’s inspection procedures list these stages:

• Footing: property lines and setbacks set out, organic matter cleared, grade stakes and bulkheads in place; a compaction test may be required.
• Foundation: block work done, vents and crawl space access in place, anchors 12 inches from each corner and then 6 feet apart, no backfill yet.
• Slab: anything under the concrete, with slab plumbing filled to a standpipe at least 8 feet high.
• Rough-in: framing, roof decking and felt, windows, doors and house wrap, electrical, plumbing and mechanical, with water lines under air pressure.
• Insulation: gaps and penetrations sealed, walls to the required R-value and floors to R-19.
• Pre-final power: switches, receptacles, panels and wall surfaces complete.
• Final: construction complete, sewage system approved by Environmental Health and disturbed ground stabilized.

Once pre-final power is connected, the final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy must follow within 60 days for a site-built home or 30 days for a manufactured home, or the power is cut off. No one may move in, furniture included, before the Certificate of Occupancy: the County sets a mandatory minimum fine of $600, 60 days in jail, or both. A building found occupied at final inspection is posted with up to 48 hours to empty it.

Local Murray County rules

Manufactured homes: homes built before June 15, 1976 cannot be moved into or within the county. A used home needs a health and safety inspection (separate fee) before the application goes further, plus a current tax receipt. New lots need poured concrete footers inspected before the pour, and masonry skirting is required on any lot that is not a rental lot. The installer signs the permit in person, and the building inspector makes five inspections: pre-inspection, lot, setup, power and final.

Accessory buildings: carports, garages and storage buildings must meet setbacks, keep 10 feet of fire separation from other structures, stay behind the front line of the house and never sit over septic field lines. They can go on gravel, a 4-inch concrete pad or skids if anchored.

Streams and mountains: the application flags projects within 200 feet of state waters, within 25 feet of warm water or 50 feet of a trout stream, in a mountain protection district or disturbing an acre or more.

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

Murray 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.

• Murray County — Building Inspection Staff
• Murray County — Building & Development Contacts
• Murray County — Land Use / Zoning
• Murray County — Building Inspections
• Murray County Land Development Application, 2026 (PDF)
• Murray County Inspection Procedures (PDF)
• Murray County Policy on Certificate of Occupancy (PDF)
• Murray County Manufactured Home Location Permit procedures (PDF)
• Murray County Guide for Accessory Structures (PDF)

Murray County permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Murray County?

The Murray County Building Inspection Department, 121 N. Fourth Ave., Chatsworth (706-517-1400 ext. 1231), for unincorporated Murray County and the City of Eton.

What about property inside Chatsworth?

The County states that its department covers unincorporated Murray County and the City of Eton. The City of Chatsworth has its own zoning department, listed on the County’s building contact sheet.

How long is a Murray County building permit valid?

One year from the date it is issued.

How do I schedule an inspection?

The contractor calls the Building Inspection office at least one day in advance. Each licensed contractor must have signed the permit in person first.

Can I move into my house before the final inspection?

No. Occupying a building before the Certificate of Occupancy carries a mandatory minimum $600 fine, 60 days in jail, or both.

Can I bring an older mobile home into Murray County?

Not if it was built before June 15, 1976. Used homes also need a health and safety inspection before the permit process continues.

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