Apply for a building permit

A permit is required for any structure over 200 square feet, and for smaller ones on a permanent foundation or connecting to power or water. Apply online through the Evolve permit portal; no paper application is needed.

Cost:

Per the 2026 Building Permit Fee schedule. Card payments carry a 3.5% service charge; impact fees, NPDES fees, and water/sewer tap fees must be paid by cash or check.

How it works

Create an account on the permit portal (do not create duplicates).
Pay the fire fee in person at a Tax Commissioner office first for any new residential or commercial construction — it cannot be paid online.
Submit the application; the portal lists the documents to upload, including proof that property taxes are paid and, for new houses on individual lots, the Engineering final site plan checklist.
If your project uses a septic system, get Public Health approval; the permit is not issued until Community Development is notified.
Watch your email for “not approved” or “approved” notices, then pay the permit fee online or in person.
Schedule inspections through the portal once the permit is issued.

What you need

Proof that property taxes are paid (verify on the Tax Commissioner’s site).
Fire fee receipt from the Tax Commissioner for new construction.
Septic approval from the Public Health Department, where applicable.
Engineering final site plan checklist for new individual-lot houses.
Non-residential projects on County water and sewer: a water and sewer demand analysis with ERUs and meter size.
Plans showing compliance with the 2024 International codes and 2023 National Electric Code adopted January 1, 2026.

Provided by Building and Codes. Contact: Dawn Monaco, 912-756-7962, dmonaco@bryancountyga.gov. Community Development: 912-756-7962 (Richmond Hill, 66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive, Suite 111) or 912-653-3893 (Pembroke, 51 North Courthouse Street).