Union County, Georgia Building Permit Guide

In Union County, building permits, land disturbance permits and construction inspections come from Union County Building & Development, 46 Hughes Street, Suite A, Blairsville (706-439-6045). Every dwelling, accessory building over 150 sq ft and land-disturbing job needs a permit before grading starts, applications are sent by email or fax, and commercial plan review costs $500 at submission.

What requires a permit in Union County?

The County requires a building permit for any project that is a part-time or full-time dwelling, is an accessory structure over 150 sq ft, changes a building’s footprint, needs a water, sewer or electric connection, lies in a stream buffer or flood hazard area, removes trees in a mountain protection area, or disturbs any land. Getting the permit is the owner’s responsibility.

No power may be connected and no construction or grading may start until the building permit is issued (County Code Sec. 18-32).

Who handles permitting in Union County?

Building & Development issues building permits and land disturbance permits, carries out building inspections and investigates environmental complaints. Its manufactured home rules apply in the unincorporated county. The County notes that building permits also serve fair taxation, environmental protection and code compliance.

Applications, contractor registration and third-party inspectors

Print and complete the County’s Permit Application and send it with the supporting documents by email or by fax to 706-439-6107. The application asks for the full scope of work, whether it is non-traditional construction such as a metal barndominium, yurt or storage container, distance to any creek or lake, whether the land borders U.S. Forest Service property or lies above 2,200 feet, acreage and grading, and square footages for finished, unfinished, garage, porch and deck areas. It also flags special uses such as electrical service of 600 amps or more, cell towers and data or cryptocurrency centers. Owner and contractor signatures must be notarised or come with a copy of photo ID.

Contractor Registration: each Georgia licensed contractor or subcontractor files the County’s registration form with a copy of the state licence and photo ID; the signature must be notarised unless signed in person at the office.

Private providers: applicants who hire a Georgia licensed or certified private professional provider for plan review or inspections must notify the County in writing at application, or by 2:00 p.m. two business days before the first County inspection, with the provider’s details, licence numbers and insurance certificate and the County’s signed acknowledgement form.

Union County permit fees

The fee published on the Building Permits page is for commercial plan review: $500, in cash or by check, due when the plans are first submitted, plus $100 for each revision. Building permit fees are set by the County’s building permit fee schedule, which is incorporated in Chapter 18 of the County code but not posted on the County website. For a used manufactured home, the inspection department sets the permit and inspection fee (covering the first inspection and one follow-up) and a refundable bond or cash deposit.

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gas work

Additions, upgrades or changes to electrical, HVAC, plumbing and gas systems need a County permit, and the building permit application names the Georgia licensed contractor or subcontractor and their licence number. Under the County code, a building, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing permit covers only the work shown on the plans; anything else needs a separate permit. Portable heaters, fans and coolers and small self-contained refrigeration units are exempt. Permanent power cannot be connected until the Health Department has approved the sewage disposal and water supply.

What to submit

• The completed Permit Application, with contractor or subcontractor details and registration
• A recorded plat with a site plan showing setbacks from property lines and any bodies of water
• The most recent recorded warranty or quitclaim deed
• A floor plan and description of work for each floor or building, with square footage, bathroom and kitchen layouts, window sizes, porches and decks
• Where needed: a culvert permit, a Georgia DOT driveway permit, an elevation certificate, engineered plans, a septic permit, an EPD Notice of Intent and an approved erosion and sediment control plan

Plans for assembly, educational and institutional buildings, and for buildings of three storeys or 5,000 sq ft or more, must carry an architect’s or engineer’s seal; single-family homes of any size do not need one. The office section of the application records a 5-day completeness review date.

How to apply in Union County: 6 steps

Union County inspections

The County inspects all phases of new residential and commercial construction. The application asks whether you will use a third-party inspector for all inspections instead of the County office.

Permit life: the Building Permits page says a permit is valid for one year from issue and then needs a renewal or a new permit. Sec. 18-34 of the code counts the year from the date of application for new structures, allows six months for a mobile home, and requires a replacement permit if one expires before the work is done.

Used manufactured homes: the building inspector inspects the home before it is moved, then again after installation on a concrete block or similar foundation. Interior branch wiring must be copper; homes with aluminum circuit feeders are not accepted. Permanent utilities are approved only after a preliminary certificate of occupancy, a home that fails a third inspection loses its permit and must be removed, and the bond is forfeited after 90 days unless the standards are met or the inspector extends the deadline in writing.

Local Union County rules

Land disturbance: projects disturbing an acre or more, and any project in a planned development recorded on or after August 1, 2000, need a Land Disturbance Permit with three copies of an erosion and sedimentation control plan prepared by a registered surveyor, engineer or landscape architect. No grading or tree cutting is allowed without a current permit or approval.

Other ordinances: a permit is issued only once the County’s other rules are met, including the minimum lot size, soil erosion, mobile home, mountain protection, flood damage, Nottely River watershed and corridor, wetland and subdivision ordinances, and state highway access rules.

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 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.

• Union County — Departments / Building & Development
• Union County — Building Permits
• Union County — Building Inspection
• Union County building permit application
• Union County contractor registration form
• Union County land disturbance permits
• Union County Code, Chapter 18: Buildings and Building Regulations

Union County permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Union County?

Union County Building & Development, 46 Hughes Street, Suite A, Blairsville (706-439-6045), which also issues land disturbance permits and carries out building inspections.

Do I need a permit for a shed in Union County?

Yes, if it is over 150 sq ft, has power or water, or sits in a stream buffer, flood hazard area or mountain protection area. Garages, carports and barns need one too.

Do I need a permit for a new roof or a fence?

No for a change of roofing material or siding, and no for fences. A change to the roof pitch or structure does need a permit.

How much does commercial plan review cost?

$500 in cash or by check at first submission, and $100 for each revision.

How long is a building permit valid?

One year. The code counts it from the application date for new structures, gives a mobile home six months, and requires a replacement permit if it runs out.

Can I live in an RV or tiny home on my land?

An RV, tiny home or yurt used as a part-time or full-time residence needs a building permit.

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