Washington County, Georgia Building Permit Guide

In unincorporated Washington County the permit you need is a County development permit, issued by the Board of Assessors at 121 Jones Street, Sandersville, together with an E-911 address. A new house or mobile home costs $85 (commercial development $300) and usually takes 5–10 business days, while septic permits come separately from the Board of Health. The County has no zoning and does not issue a Certificate of Occupancy.

What requires a development permit in Washington County?

The County has required a development permit for development in its unincorporated areas since January 1, 2014. Under its July 2025 information sheet and Chapter 8 of the County code, you need one before you start:

The code defines a permanent structure as any building meant for people to live in, any mobile or modular home staying more than a year, any septic tank or water system, and any other structure over 400 sq ft.

Who handles permitting in Washington County?

Before a development permit is issued, County staff look at whether the site is in a floodplain or near a river or stream buffer, whether a driveway or land disturbance is involved, and whether the Health Department has approved the septic system. The County’s permit materials do not describe separate building, electrical, plumbing or HVAC permits.

The procedure covers unincorporated areas only. The county has seven municipalities: Davisboro, Deepstep, Harrison, Oconee, Riddleville, Sandersville and Tennille. The City of Sandersville runs its own Building and Zoning Department (478-552-2626), which issues building and trade permits and inspects work inside the city.

For sites in Davisboro, Deepstep, Harrison, Oconee, Riddleville or Tennille, ask that town hall which office issues building permits.

Washington County permit fees

The fee figures in Section 8-32 of the County code ($20 for an address and $50 for development in general) are older; the July 2025 sheet notes that the Board of Commissioners may change the fees, and its figures are the current ones. Septic permit fees are set by the Board of Health.

Trade work, septic and mobile home inspections

In unincorporated Washington County the published permit steps cover addressing, development, septic and driveways; no separate County electrical, plumbing or HVAC permit appears in them. Septic tank permits are issued by the Board of Health under state rules, and only after the Road Department has made its site inspection.

Used mobile homes must be inspected before they are moved in, but the County does not inspect them itself: the inspection must be done by a certified home inspector, a licensed contractor or a building inspector from a city, and it covers electrical, plumbing and structure. Newly built mobile homes do not need this inspection. Bringing a mobile home to a site with an existing septic system means the Health Department must re-inspect and approve that system.

How to get a Washington County development permit

Site visits and closeout

Every development permit involves at least one site visit before construction starts, and the County may inspect the property at any time until the project is complete. For work in a flood zone, along a protected river corridor or under an erosion control permit, the County can also carry out a final audit to check compliance.

The County does not require a Certificate of Occupancy. Driveway permits also involve a site visit, after which County staff set the width and diameter of any driveway pipe; allow up to 10 business days.

Local Washington County details that matter

No zoning: the unincorporated county has no zoning regulations, but the County code still controls building in flood-prone areas, flood zones and the land around streams, creeks, rivers and other bodies of water.

Flood zones: if the site is in a floodplain, no permit is issued until the flood damage prevention rules are met and any required FEMA certifications are in. The flood article is run by the Director of Public Works, and new construction there must provide a certified lowest-floor elevation as soon as that floor is built.

Erosion control: projects disturbing 1 acre or more need an erosion and sediment control permit. The County’s no-zoning letter says soil erosion and sedimentation control is permitted and controlled by the State.

Mobile homes: the Tax Assessor issues the transport permit only with proof that the Board of Health has approved the water and sewage systems, and the home needs a decal from the Tax Commissioner every year. Ownership changes must be registered with the Tax Assessor.

Penalties: starting development without a permit can bring a fine of up to $1,000 and/or 60 days in jail, and the County may demolish a structure built in violation at the owner’s cost.

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

Washington County permit search and official resources

• Washington County — Permit Information Sheet
• Washington County — Development Permits and Procedures
• Washington County — Development Permit Procedure
• Washington County Standard Zoning page
• Washington County no-zoning letter
• Washington County Code, Chapter 8: Buildings and Development (Municode)
• Washington County municipalities directory
• City of Sandersville Building Permits

Washington County permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Washington County, GA?

In unincorporated areas the Board of Assessors issues the County development permit, E-911 addresses, driveway permits and mobile home transport permits (478-552-2937). Inside Sandersville, the City’s Building and Zoning Department issues building permits.

How much is a development permit for a new house?

$85 for residential development, including new or used mobile homes, plus $50 for the E-911 address if the lot needs one. Commercial development is $300.

Do I need a permit for a shed or barn?

A development permit is needed for new outbuildings over 400 sq ft; for a non-habitable structure of that size the fee is $50.

How long does it take?

Up to 7 business days for an E-911 address, typically 5–10 business days for the development permit, and up to 20 business days for a septic permit.

Does Washington County have zoning?

No. There are no zoning regulations in the unincorporated county, though flood, stream-buffer and erosion rules still apply.

Does the County issue a Certificate of Occupancy?

No. The County’s letter on zoning says it does not require a Certificate of Occupancy.

Who inspects a used mobile home?

A certified home inspector, a licensed contractor or a city building inspector; the County relies on that third-party inspection and does not inspect the home itself.

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