Polk County, Georgia

POLK COUNTY BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
144 WEST AVE., SUITE C, CEDARTOWN, GA 30125

PHONE: 770.749.2104
HOURS: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

E-MAIL ADDRESS: pcbldginsp@polkcountygeorgia.us

BUILDING INSPECTOR: Brian McCray

Click Here to download & print
the Polk County, Ga. Application for a building permit

TO OBTAIN A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT:

NOTE: There is a two-day waiting period for all new construction permits. An additional waiting time beyond the 2 days may be required on some permit applications. The Building Inspector shall determine this time frame.

All single family building permits for Polk County must be applied for on an application furnished by the Building Inspection Dept. The following documents must accompany the building permit application:
1. A copy of the deed to your property.
2. A copy of the survey plat of the property.
3. A copy of the septic tank permit issued by the Polk County Health Dept.
4. A full set of blueprints of the residential structure must accompany all permit applications.

All additions, storage buildings (over 200 square feet), barns and accessory buildings must be accompanied by a property deed and prints/drawings of the structure.

For multi-family, commercial and industrial permits you must apply at the Building Inspection Office located at 144 West Ave, Suite C. Cedartown, GA. Tel: (770) 749-2104. These applications will require a full site plan approval before a building permit will be issued.

The application packet will contain the appropriate form to obtain a street address. No address will be assigned prior to obtaining the building permit. No address will be assigned to vacant property or accessory structures.

If your building site is on a county maintained road, the packet will have the necessary form to get a driveway culvert installed. If your building site is located on a state highway, you must obtain a driveway permit from the Georgia Dept of Transportation.

CONSTRUCTION SITE REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with the ordinance regulating constructions sites in Polk County, GA all new construction sites shall have a commercially serviced dumpster containing 20 cubic yards or more. The construction site shall provide a portable toilet for use by construction personnel and inspectors and that toilet shall be serviced frequently as required so as not to become an unhealthy condition as determined by the county health department. Erosion and sedimentation controls: all building owners or contractors of new construction sites are required to use Best Management Practices (BMP) upon disturbing soils within the unincorporated areas of Polk County, GA. During all phases of construction building owners, building contractors and building inspectors shall be guided by the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia publication available for a fee from the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, 700 East 2nd Ave, Rome, GA 30161. All multi-family housing projects, commercial, office and industrial developments are required to retain storm water on site for all rainfall events up to and including a 100-year event. Retention designs shall be by an engineer qualified in hydrology and licensed by the State of Georgia. Hydrological calculations are to be submitted to the County Manager and County Engineer for review and approval.

Article III of an Ordinance Regulating the Use of County Roads of Polk County, Georgia states in paragraph 3a that “For minor temporary work sites of under seventy five (75) acres: A pad of # 3 stone shall be installed and maintained at each point of access to the county road. Such pad shall be at least 50 feet in length and 25 feet wide for its entire length.

Article III of an Ordinance Regulating the Construction of Buildings in or near the Flood Hazard Zones of Polk County, Georgia states that when building in the Flood Hazard Area shown on FEMA panel maps as Zone A, AE, AH or AD the finished floor elevation shall not be less than 3 feet (3’ 0”) above the flood hazard area. Any construction in a flood hazard area and/or when the flood hazard area is questionable and can’t be clearly determined by observation on the map, a certificate of elevation shall be required from a registered surveyor or professional engineer licensed in the State of Georgia to verify flood zone elevation.

DRIVEWAY SURFACE

All residential, commercial or industrial building shall provide a paved surface at the entrance to the property or building to the county road. Pavement shall extend past the edge of the right-of-way by 25 feet. Pavement shall be at least two inches thick if asphalt and four inches thick if built with concrete. Pavement width shall be at least 12 feet wide for a single-family residence, 24 feet wide for multi-family residential and commercial development and 30 feet wide for industrial developments. All driveways shall be sloped away from the county road pavement at a rate of Ľ” to ľ” per foot of slope in order to prevent surface water and debris from entering the county road surface and causing hazardous conditions. No driveway shall exceed a 6.0% slope at the right-of-way line and continue said slope for at least 25 feet onto the property of the owner or contractor. For single-family, duplex, and multi-family developments that front on a county road, a driveway turnout shall be provided in order to keep residents from backing into the county road. The Building Inspector may accept an unpaved gravel driveway for those locations that front an unpaved or gravel county road provided that road is not the priority paving list and is not within 1 year of being paved.

TO OBTAIN A MOBILE HOME PLACEMENT PERMIT:

The Polk County Ordinance Division 708.08, as amended requires that a placement permit must be obtained from the Building Inspectors Office prior to a mobile home being brought into or set up in Polk County.

The following documents must be brought to the Building Inspectors office before a placement permit will be issued:
1. A copy of a recorded WARRANTY DEED for the property. Sales contracts, security deeds, etc. are unacceptable
2. A copy of the SEPTIC TANK PERMIT issued by the Polk County Health Department. The Health Dept handles all matters/questions regarding septic tanks.
3. The current year’s POLK COUNTY TAX STICKER RECEIPT issued by the Tax Commissioners Office.
4. A copy of the PROPERTY SURVEY PLAT.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. There can by no other dwellings on the property or lot on which the mobile home is to be placed.
2. The minimum lot size acceptable is 1 (one) acre with 125 feet road frontage.
3. The manufactured house/mobile home and lot placement shall be in compliance with all State and County disposal systems and regulations; fire regulations; building, electrical, sewerage, gas and health codes, rules and regulations.
4. A minimum heated area of 1200 square feet for a manufactured housing/mobile home is required.
5. No manufactured or industrialized residence shall be less than 24 feet wide and not older than 10 (ten) years from the date of manufacture upon placement.
6. All doublewide mobile homes must have a shingled roof with a minimum of a 3/12-pitch roof.
7. Singlewide mobile homes being brought into Polk County are permitted only in mobile home parks, however singlewide mobile homes that are already legally permitted on privately owned property in Polk County may be moved to another location without regards to age provided they meet all other requirements for obtaining location permits.
8. The mobile home must bear the Housing & Urban Development (HUD) approval medallion.
9. For the setback requirements, contact the Polk County Building Inspection Dept.
10. The required skirting must be installed within 60 days following the date of the electrical inspection.
11. Your property, land, or lot must be zoned R-1, R-4 or A-1.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MOBILE HOME ELECTRICAL

The Polk County Building Inspector will not make an electrical inspection on any mobile home until the following are completed:
1. A graveled driveway may be used if on a dirt or gravel road. (Building Inspector determination will apply)
2. A pave finished driveway must be at least 12’ wide and 25’ from the road for single-family residence if located on a paved county or state road. The material used can be concrete (4” thick) or asphalt (2” thick).
3. Septic tank must be hooked up and approved by the Health Department.
4. Steps must be attached to the mobile home. If the door swings out, the mobile home must have an attached 3’x3’ landing with steps

VIOLATIONS

The Polk County Zoning and Mobile Home Ordinance provides for levies of up to a $500.00 and 60 day imprisonment for each day a mobile home is in violation of Polk County’s Ordinance