Georgia, Union County HVAC Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Union County Building & Safety Divisions
Union County, Georgia's Building and Development Department is responsible for issuing building permits, conducting inspections, and enforcing environmental regulations. They handle permits for properties located within unincorporated areas of the county. If a property is within an incorporated city, that city's building department is responsible for permits.
Rules for Properties in Unincorporated Areas
In unincorporated Union County, a building permit is required for various construction projects. These include, but are not limited to:
- Dwellings (part-time or full-time).
- Accessory structures exceeding 150 square feet.
- Alterations that change the existing footprint of a structure.
- Projects requiring water, sewer, or electric connections.
- Structures located within designated stream buffers or flood hazard areas.
- Tree removal in designated mountain protection areas.
- Any land disturbance on the property.
Examples of projects requiring a permit include commercial and residential buildings, mobile homes, RVs or tiny homes used as residences, garages, barns, renovations, decks, porches, additions, and modifications to electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or structural components. For HVAC systems specifically, permits are generally required for installations or modifications that affect major building systems, occupant safety, equipment capacity, gas or electrical connections, or penetrate the building envelope. This includes installing new systems, replacing older ones, extending ductwork, or adding new zones.
Projects generally exempt from requiring a building permit include roofing material changes, exterior siding changes, replacement of floor covering, painting, wallpapering, sidewalks, and driveways.
To obtain a permit, applicants typically need to submit basic property and project information, a licensed builder affidavit, a recorded plat with site plan and setbacks, the property deed, and a floor plan with a work description. Additional documents may be required depending on the project, such as culvert permits, DOT driveway permits, elevation certificates, engineered plans, septic permits, or erosion and sediment control plans.
Permits are valid for one year from the date of issue and may require renewal or a new permit if construction extends beyond that period. Permits and inspections are required before grading or starting a project.