Building Department
The Macon County Building Department is responsible for issuing Building Permits and providing follow up inspections while construction and remodeling projects throughout Macon County and the cities of Montezuma, Oglethorpe and Ideal.
The issuing of permits allows the county to enforce the life-safety provisions of the Building Codes of Georgia and the County mandated Codes. These codes are a standard set to protect life, health, property, and public welfare by insuring public and building and structure private to meet the quality standards set by State and Local government.
In the regulating of these activities, but not limited to, building new structures, remodeling existing buildings, creating additions, alteration of structures, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical elements of buildings. This also includes the placement of manufactured homes (to meet the County Zoning Ordinances), constructing exterior decks, and installing swimming pools, placement of storage buildings, upgrading of electrical services, and even the placement and construction of water and sanitary sewage systems.
When permits are attained for these types of activities it allows for inspections to make sure that the construction is proceeding to State and Local codes and insure safety in the construction process.
Residents or contractors with questions regarding a project a new building department are urged to contact the building department. We might be able to help in the pre-construction planning and it might also save on building costs and even fines that might be levied without the proper permits and construction practices.
Building Codes
Macon County enforces the International Building Codes as prescribed by the International Code Council, mandated by and amended by the State of Georgia.
The Current State Minimum Standard Codes
The following are the current state minimum standard codes for construction as adopted by the Board of Community Affairs.
Current Mandatory Codes as Adopted by DCA:
- International Building Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020), (2022)
- International Residential Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020)
- International Fire Code, 2018 Edition (Contact State Fire Marshal Below)
- International Plumbing Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020), (2022), (2023)
- International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020)
- International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020), (2022)
- National Electrical Code, 2020 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2021)
- International Energy Conservation Code, 2015 Edition, with Georgia Supplements and Amendments (2020), (2022), (2023)
- International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020)
- For information and questions regarding the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), IFC Georgia Amendments or the Georgia Accessibility Code please contact the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Current Permissive Codes as Adopted by DCA and Enforced on the Unincorporated parts of Macon County:
- International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2021)
Current Codes as Adopted by Unincorporated parts of Macon County:
- International Private Sewage Disposal Code, 2006 edition, as amended.
PLEASE NOTE: There are Georgia Amendments to the codes, above. Please contact the Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings Section for more information concerning theseamendments.
The Uniform Codes Act is codified at chapter 2 of title 8 of The Official Code of Georgia Annotated. O.C.G.A. Section 8-2-20(9)(B). Below is a list of the current mandatory and permissive state codes. Each of these separate codes typically consist of a base code (e.g. The International Building Code as published by the International Code Council) and a set of Georgia amendments to the base code. The mandatory codes are applicable to all construction whether they are locally enforced. The contractor is responsible for following all State and Local Codes and these Codes might and do change and the information here can be out of date. Please check with our office to confirm the State and Local Codes if you are not sure of them at time of construction.
The Building Inspector reviews building plans, issues building permits, and performs inspections to ensure compliance with codes related to aspects of life-safety, structural integrity, handicap accessibility, and electrical, plumbing, fuel gas, heating and air conditioning systems.
The State of Georgia requires a license from the State Licensing Board for residential builders and general contractors. Please see the Georgia Secretary of State website for complete information.
The following building codes have been adopted by the State of Georgia as the minimum construction standards and are applicable state wide:
2006 International Building Code, 2006 International Fuel Gas Code, 2006 International Mechanical Code, 2006 International Plumbing Code, 2011 National Electric Code, 2006 International Fire Code, 2009 Energy Conservation Code, 2006 International Residential Code.
All of these codes have Georgia amendments. Amendments can be downloaded (www.dca.state.ga.us)
Customers often question why building permits are necessary. The primary reason is to reduce the potential hazards of unsafe construction practice and ensure the public health, safety and welfare of family, friends, visitors and potential or perspective buyers. If construction projects do not comply with minimum code requirements as required by state law, the value of the customer's investment may be substantially reduced. Obtaining a permit first will hopefully avoid problems in the future not only with building construction but other laws or ordinances such as compliance with county zoning regulations, county development regulations, storm water and flood plain management.