Permits & licensing in Georgia.

Georgia writes the code at the state and issues the permit at the local line. The Department of Community Affairs adopts, amends and updates the state minimum standard codes. The mandatory set — building, one- and two-family dwelling, fire, plumbing, mechanical, gas, electrical, energy and swimming pool — binds every structure built in Georgia whether or not the local government enforces it locally. The permissive set binds only where a local government adopts it by ordinance or resolution.

Local enforcement is a choice, and the permit follows the choice. Local governments inspect buildings for code compliance, employ inspectors, require permits, and may contract enforcement to another local government. A jurisdiction that chooses to enforce must enforce DCA's latest editions and amendments, and must adopt administrative provisions covering procedure, hearings and appeals from its inspectors' decisions.

There is no state building permit to pull. The file lives with the county or city inspection department. In Chatham the planning layer is joint across the line: the Chatham County–Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission hears zoning petitions for both the unincorporated county and the City of Savannah.