Georgia, Lee County HVAC Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Lee County, Georgia HVAC Permit Requirements
In Lee County, Georgia, obtaining an HVAC permit is a crucial step for installation, alteration, or replacement of mechanical systems, including HVAC equipment and ductwork. This applies to both residential and commercial properties. The county's Building Inspection Department is responsible for ensuring compliance with adopted building codes. For properties in unincorporated areas, Lee County is the issuing authority for building permits. If a property is within an incorporated city, that city's building department handles permits.
County Building & Safety Divisions
The Lee County Building Inspection Department oversees all construction within the county, including both unincorporated and incorporated areas, to ensure adherence to adopted building codes. They are also responsible for verifying that state-licensed contractors maintain current certifications. For permit applications and issuance, Lee County utilizes an electronic process through its eConnect online permitting system, though paper applications are accepted for owner-builders.
Rules for Properties in Unincorporated Areas
Lee County issues building permits specifically for properties located in the unincorporated areas of the county. The process for obtaining a building permit in unincorporated Lee County involves several steps:
- Obtain site plan approval from the Lee County Planning and Zoning Department.
- Secure an address assignment from the Planning Department.
- Obtain approval from the Lee County Health Department for well and septic services, or confirm public utility service.
- Pay any applicable tap fees for public water and sewage through the Lee County Utilities Authority.
- Obtain driveway approval. If the property fronts a state route, Georgia DOT driveway approval is required before permit issuance.
- Submit a completed building permit application with a full set of plans to the Lee County Building Inspection Department.
- After approval, pay the permit fee and any applicable impact fees.
Required documents for the application typically include a completed application form, a complete set of plans, an approved site plan, address assignment, health department approvals, and utility and driveway approvals as needed. Owner affidavits are required if the owner is acting as an owner-builder.
A Mechanical permit is required for the installation, alteration, or replacement of any mechanical or system equipment, including HVAC equipment and ductwork. A design professional's involvement is required for commercial permits or trade permits valued at $125,000 or more, systems with a 15-ton capacity or more, or systems designed for 100 or more people.
The Lee County Code of Ordinances, specifically Chapter 18, Article II, Section 18-31, adopts by reference various construction codes, including the International Mechanical Code (IMC). These codes have been in effect in the unincorporated areas since July 1, 2004.