The City of St. Marys Building Department issues building permits and inspects construction inside city limits. Since January 25, 2024, all building requests and inspections go through Cloudpermit.
What requires a permit in St. Marys?
The City requires a permit for new construction, remodeling, additions, swimming pools, house moving, demolition and manufactured homes. Fences higher than 7 feet and some decks also need a building permit. Water heater and water softener replacement needs a plumbing permit, and an HVAC changeout needs a mechanical permit.
Painting, replacing roof shingles, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and other finish work do not need a building permit. A one-story storage shed or playhouse of 200 sq ft or less, not on a permanent foundation and with no electrical, plumbing, HVAC or gas connections, does not need one either.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Who issues building permits in St. Marys?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | 418 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558 |
| Phone | 912-510-4019 (Permit Technician); 912-510-4000 (City Hall) |
| Filing route | Cloudpermit |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Property in unincorporated Camden County is permitted by Camden County, not the City.
St. Marys permit types and filing
Building requests are filed through Cloudpermit. Applicants create an account and follow the City’s instructions there. The builder is responsible for buying the permit and requesting inspections.
Permit costs and fees in St. Marys
The City’s building permit fee schedule bases fees on actual construction cost, or the minimum in the valuation table. Work valued from $101 to $2,000 carries a $45 base fee, with added amounts for each $1,000 above that. Plan review, electrical and other trade permits have their own fees, and re-inspection fees must be paid in advance.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work
Water heater and water softener replacement needs a plumbing permit, and an HVAC changeout needs a mechanical permit. Electrical permits are priced by service size in the City fee schedule.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Anyone hired to work in St. Marys must have a Georgia occupational tax licence from the city or county where the business is located. Contractors must give the Building Department a copy before a building permit is issued.
Application documents and plan review
Applications, plans and supporting documents are uploaded to the permit request in Cloudpermit.
How to apply: 6-step St. Marys process
Make sure the parcel is inside St. Marys city limits rather than unincorporated Camden County.
Identify the building permit and any plumbing, mechanical or electrical permits.
Prepare plans and the contractor’s occupational tax licence.
Create an account, file the request and answer review comments there.
Request each inspection in Cloudpermit by 2:00 p.m. the day before.
Once all inspections pass, the Building Department issues the certificate of occupancy.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →St. Marys inspections
For permits issued after February 1, 2024, inspection requests and cancellations go through your Cloudpermit account. Requests must be in by 2:00 p.m. the day before.
The contractor or homeowner must make sure all inspections are called in. When every inspection is approved, the Building Department issues the certificate of occupancy.
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
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Official St. Marys permitting 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 construction codes
- St. Marys Building Department
- St. Marys building permit fee schedule
- St. Marys Building FAQs
St. Marys permit FAQs
Does St. Marys issue its own building permits?
Yes. The City of St. Marys Building Department issues permits and inspects work inside city limits.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →How do I apply for a permit in St. Marys?
Create a Cloudpermit account and submit the building request there.
Do trade permits need separate coordination?
Yes. Plumbing, mechanical and electrical work need their own permits, such as a plumbing permit for a water heater and a mechanical permit for an HVAC changeout.
Do I need a permit for a fence or deck?
A fence higher than 7 feet needs a building permit. A deck needs one if it exceeds 200 sq ft, is more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is attached to the house or serves a required exit door.
When must inspections be requested?
Through Cloudpermit, by 2:00 p.m. the day before.
Simplify St. Marys permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →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.
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More Georgia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about St. Marys permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.