Union City, Georgia Building Permit Guide

Union City’s Community Development Department issues building and trade permits inside city limits, and applications, payments, resubmittals and inspection requests all go through the City’s iWorQ portal. The City sets a 14-day deadline for the first review of a building permit, and inspections requested before 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day.

What requires a building permit in Union City?

A permit is required to build, alter, repair, move or demolish a building, change its occupancy, or install, alter or replace electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems. It must be obtained by the property owner or a licensed, bonded contractor acting for them, and work may begin only after the permit is issued. Construction must start within 180 days of issue and may not stop for more than 180 consecutive days, or the permit expires and you must reapply.

Union City building department: who handles permitting

Community Development’s permit technicians process applications, and the Building Official signs certificates of occupancy (with the Fire Marshal on commercial buildings). Field inspections are carried out for the City by Falcon Engineer. Property outside Union City limits is permitted by the city or county where it lies, not by Union City.

Union City permit types and iWorQ

The iWorQ portal is open around the clock. Use it to apply for building, electrical, plumbing, solar, HVAC, pool and roofing permits, manage applications, pay invoices, upload resubmittals, schedule inspections and check their results. Permit applications are not processed until payment is made.

Forms on the Building Permit Forms and Applications page include the UC Building Permit Application, Trade Permit Application, Contractor and Subcontractor Affidavits, Homeowner Affidavit, Construction Trailer Application, Fence/Wall Permit Application, Driveway/Walkway Application, Moving of a Building Application, Sign Permit Application, Sewer Permit Application, Right of Way Permit Application, Tree Removal Application and the Building Permit/Land Disturbance Permit Extension Request. The City also publishes its Demolition Permit Process and a meeting request form.

The building application asks for the estimated value of labor and materials, construction type, occupancy, heated and unheated square footage, scope (garage, basement, siding, deck, pool, storage building, windows and so on) and the contractor’s state certification number.

Permit costs and fees in Union City

The fee schedule linked from the permits page is titled the 2024/25 Community Development Fee Schedule. Building permits are based on square footage with a $100 minimum; commercial permits use a rate table by occupancy and construction type, and the office adjusts construction cost using ICC Building Valuation Data. The residential new-construction rate is in a separate attachment that the City does not post. Other building fees:

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and other trade permits

Electrical, plumbing, solar and HVAC permits are applied for in iWorQ or on the City’s Trade Permit Application, with a $50 minimum fee. Building contractors submit the Contractor Affidavit before the permit is issued, and trade subcontractors submit theirs before work begins, with current business and state licence details unless already on file.

Homeowners cannot do electrical, plumbing or heating and air work themselves without the proper state licence and permit. Anyone a homeowner pays to work on the job must hold a business licence, a state card and a code compliance bond or bond waiver in Union City.

Alliance handles electrical permit applications for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.

Application documents and plan review

Plans and resubmittals are uploaded in iWorQ. The City’s Plan Review Timeline (January 2026) sets deadlines for the first review after a complete submission; time for resubmittals is extra if any review team (Zoning, Building, Fire, Engineering) has comments.

A fence application needs a site plan showing the fence’s location, height and material; a land disturbance permit needs a site plan and Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission approval; a sign permit needs a site plan with setbacks and a drawing of the sign.

How to apply: 6-step Union City process

Union City inspections

All inspections are scheduled through the iWorQ portal, using the permit number and the contractor’s code. Requests made before 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time are scheduled for the next business day. Inspections are carried out by Falcon Engineer for the City. A first re-inspection costs $70, and a second for the same deficiency $100.

After the last inspection, submit a request for the Certificate of Occupancy. The City responds within two business days with either the CO or a written list of what is still needed. A CO is issued only when every final inspection has passed and Building, Fire, Planning & Zoning, Public Works and any other department involved have signed off; a commercial CO must be signed by both the Building Official and the Fire Marshal.

Local Union City details that matter

Zoning moratorium: on March 24, 2026, City Council adopted a 180-day moratorium on accepting rezoning, text amendment and conditional use applications while the zoning ordinance is rewritten. Building permits are not covered.

Homeowner permits: the Homeowner Affidavit must be the original with a wet-seal notarisation. The owner must hold title, live in the home as a primary residence and not sell it for two years.

Expiring permits: a permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days or stops for 180 days. Extensions are requested on the City’s extension form or by calling 770-515-7950, option 1, and cost 100% 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

Union City 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
• Union City fee schedule
• Union City documents and applications
• Union City Community Development
• Union City building permits
• Union City iWorQ permit portal
• Union City building permit forms and applications
• Union City Plan Review Timeline
• Union City certificate of occupancy procedure

Union City permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Union City?

The Union City Community Development Department, for property inside city limits. Inspections are done for the City by Falcon Engineer.

How do I apply for a permit in Union City?

Through the iWorQ portal, which is open 24/7. Applications are not processed until fees are paid.

How long does plan review take in Union City?

The City’s deadline for the first review of a building permit is 14 days after submission, not counting resubmittals.

How much does a roof permit cost in Union City?

$100 for a residential re-roof. Commercial roofs are $500 to $1,200 depending on area.

Can a homeowner pull a building permit in Union City?

Yes, with an original, notarised Homeowner Affidavit, if you own the home, live there as your primary residence and will not sell it for two years. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work still need licensed tradespeople.

How do I schedule an inspection?

In iWorQ, with the permit number and contractor code. Requests made before 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day.

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