Bartow County Building Inspections - Obtaining a Building Permit for a House

TO OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT FOR A HOUSE

I. Verify the property the house is to be built on is properly zoned for construction of a house with the Zoning Department at 770-387-5007.

II. If the property has access to public sewer, make application for a sewer tap with the jurisdiction that provides the sewer tap (I.e., Bartow County, City of Cartersville, etc.). If a septic tank is required, apply for a septic tank permit from the Bartow County Environmental Health Department. Contact the Bartow County Environmental Health Dept. for their requirements at 770-387-2614.

III. Verify the structure to be built will comply with any restrictive covenants of the property

IV. The following must be presented to this department for the building permit:

1. Zoning Verification Form

2. An approved Erosion and Sediment (E&S) Control permit - contact 770-387-5067.

3. Street Address as issued by Bartow County Structural Numbering Department - 770-387-5015.

4. A copy of the sewer permit or septic tank permit. (If an existing septic tank is to be used, provide documentation from the Environmental Health Dept.- 770-387-2614, verifying the existence of a functional septic tank.)

5. A copy of the water user agreement (water tap) from the public water provider, unless the dwelling will be served by a well. (Bartow County Water Dept 770-387-5170; Cartersville Water Dept 770-387-5607; other)

6. A plat of the property; the plat should indicate the public road right of way, any flood prone areas that may exist, drainage easements, etc. A plat may not be required if the property is in an active subdivision.

7. General information about the house to be built such as: the square footage of heated space, will there be a basement or garage, fireplace, type of siding, number of stories, etc.

8. The permit fee, which is based on the information from item 7 above.

V. A street address must be obtained from the Structural Numbering Department (770-387-5015). This should be done prior to obtaining the building permit.

VI. Apply for a driveway permit from the Bartow County Road Department (770-387-5140) for driveways off county roads. If the driveway is to come off a state road, contact the Georgia Department of Transportation. Those departments will determine if a driveway pipe is required and the size needed.

1. ZONING DEPARTMENT -(Plat of property, Survey, Parcel ID#) 770.387.5007
2. E&S approval - 770.387.5067

3. STRUCTURAL NUMBERING (Addresses) 770.387.5015

4. SEPTIC PERMIT - 770.387.2614

5. SEWER/WATER USER AGREEMENT

COUNTY - 770.387.5170

CITY OF CARTERSVILLE - 770.387.5651

6. BUILDING DEPARTMENT - 770.387.5005 [E&S Approval, Zoning paper work,

completed building application, *septic tank application, *water letter (if applicable) and general information regarding the structure.]

Effective July 1, 2008 - the Georgia Contractors Licenses will be required and must be presented to obtain a building permit.

These permits are obtained by the contractor performing the respective work for non-residential buildings. For residential, the builder must obtain a building permit application from the Building Inspections Department that must be filled out by the electrician, plumber and conditioned air contractor. The builder will then submit the completed application to the Inspection Department and pay all associated permit fees before being issued a building permit. A contractor hired to perform those functions must possess a valid state license from the State of Georgia, and a valid business license from the municipality where their business is located. *A homeowner can obtain any or all of the permits if the work is being performed by the homeowner; however, the installation must comply with the construction codes that are in effect at that time.

AFTER OBTAINING THE BUILDING PERMIT

I. Attach the building permit card to a board and post the card in a conspicuous location that is readily visible from the public road and is accessible by the inspector. (This card must remain in place until final inspection is made.)

II. Check set back requirements before grading for house.

TYPICAL ORDER OF INSPECTION

1. TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION POLE – After the pole with the meter base, required
wiring, disconnect, ground rod, and ground fault protected receptacle are installed. If the service will be overhead, pole must be braced.

2. FOOTING or SLAB INSPECTION – After the footings have been excavated and the grade stakes are in, but before pouring. If a slab is to be poured, the plumbing drainage and supply piping which will be in the slab must be in place and be exposed. The piping can be covered and the vapor barrier put down after the inspection. This inspection should be requested by the builder. An inspection approval or rejection notice will be left in view at the footing/slab site.

3. ROUGH INSPECTION – The framing, plumbing, electrical, and heating rough-ins will be inspected at the same time. The rough inspection should be made before the insulation is put in. This inspection should be requested by the builder. All supplemental permits (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) must be filled out and signed before the inspection can be made. The inspection approval sticker will be placed on the permit card or a rejection note will be left at the front door switch.

4. SEWER INSPECTION – Before covering the sewer piping; the Environmental Health Dept. will inspect sewer tank installations.

5. TEMPORARY POWER INSPECTION (if required) – The house panel, meter, and grounding should be ready for electricity. The panel cover must be on or ready to be put on and at the panel. This inspection should be called in by the electrician, but only if the builder has authorized him to do so. The builder will then assume all responsibility and liability for any use of electricity in the building during the temporary period. The inspection approval sticker will be placed on the side of the meter base, or a rejection notice will be left at the electrical panel.

6. FINAL INSPECTION – The building should be essentially complete and ready for occupancy. The carpeting, painting and other cosmetic work is not required to be completed. This inspection should be requested by the builder. The inspection approval sticker will be placed on the permit card, or a rejection notice will be left on the kitchen counter. The sewer or septic tank installation must be approved before the final.

All requests for inspection should be made no later than 9:00 am of the day the inspection is desired.