Bolthole Index

Chatham County, Georgia

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Chatham County, Georgia

56Index Score / 100
#129 of 159 in Georgia

Unincorporated Chatham County, Georgia requires building permits for new structures and many alterations1. County zoning controls land use, setbacks and other development standards, while incorporated municipalities may administer their own zoning23. Chatham County Environmental Health permits and inspects septic systems456.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new structures and many alterations in unincorporated Chatham County1
Zoning
Yes in unincorporated areas; rules vary by district and use78
Septic permits
Permitted and inspected by Chatham County Environmental Health456
Owner-builder
Available by notarized affidavit for an owner who will occupy the single-family home9
RV camping
Temporary recreational camping sites are permitted in the R-A district; we could not confirm permanent RV residence10
Tiny home
Must meet applicable dwelling codes and the parcel's local zoning rules1112
Manufactured home
Temporary placement has parcel, permit, foundation and other conditions13
Septic soils
Only 0.2% of soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional drain field14

Who to call

Building permits

Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services

Building permit applications, plan review and inspections for unincorporated Chatham County, plus day-to-day zoning administration (home-occupation approvals, property-maintenance enforcement)

(912) 201-4300

1117 Eisenhower Dr # D, Savannah, Georgia 31406

Online permits →

Zoning

Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC)

Maintains the Chatham County Zoning Ordinance, staffs the Chatham County Zoning Board of Appeals, and reviews rezonings and variances for unincorporated Chatham County

(912) 651-1440

110 East State St., Savannah, GA 31401

Septic permits

Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health Office (Georgia Coastal Health District)

Permits and inspects on-site sewage (septic) systems and drinking-water wells for unincorporated Chatham County under Georgia DPH rules

912-356-2160

1395 Eisenhower Dr. Savannah, GA 31406

Floodplain permits

Chatham County Department of Engineering - Floodplain Administrator

Flood-zone determinations, elevation certificates and floodplain development permitting for unincorporated Chatham County

(912) 652-7800

floodletters@chathamcounty.org

124 Bull Street, Room 430, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Roads & driveways

Chatham County Department of Public Works and Park Services

Right-of-way and driveway-access permits for unincorporated Chatham County roads

(912) 652-6840

7226 Varnedoe Dr, Savannah, Georgia 31406

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 7, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Chatham County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Chatham County, Georgia?

Yes. Unincorporated Chatham County requires permits for new structures and listed structural, occupancy, demolition, roofing, signage, parking-lot, storage-tank, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work1. Georgia's mandatory construction codes apply statewide, including where they are not locally enforced15. An owner may perform detailed work on an owned single-family dwelling by filing Chatham County's notarized homeowner affidavit, provided the owner lives there or will live there after construction and hires only licensed contractors for assistance9. Land-disturbing approval is required before clearing, grading or digging, and the county's minimum inspection sequence includes zoning setbacks, foundation or slab, trades, framing, insulation and building final16. The building final and Engineering approval of site improvements come before the certificate of occupancy and electrical-power release17.

Who is the Chatham County building department, and how do you reach them?

Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services accepts permit applications, conducts plan review and handles inspections for unincorporated Chatham County18. Applications may be submitted at the office or through its online portal, but the office does not accept them by fax or email18. County Engineering publishes separate forms for land-disturbing activity, plat review, plot-plan review, watershed-impact review, floodplain approval and certain water-and-sewer plan reviews19. Chatham County also publishes zoning, subdivision and development-review fees rather than one universal permit price; for example, the owner-occupied single-family variance base fee is $62020. The Metropolitan Planning Commission maintains the county zoning ordinance and handles zoning-board matters21. Confirm jurisdiction first because county zoning governs unincorporated Chatham County, while incorporated municipalities may administer their own zoning223.

Does Chatham County have zoning, setbacks and height limits?

Yes. Chatham County zoning governs land use and development throughout the unincorporated area27. Use the official zoning map—not the Tax Assessor's database—to identify the district, then use the matching use and development schedules12. Setbacks vary by district, use and street classification; the residential schedule includes a minimum of 20 feet from a design right-of-way line and 25 feet from saltwater marshland, except an elevated pier or wooden deck23. Building height also varies, although the nonresidential schedule uses 36 feet in many listed districts24. Some listed nonresidential districts have 40% building coverage, but that is not a countywide residential limit25. Chatham County has no confirmed single countywide minimum dwelling size or minimum lot size; ask the Metropolitan Planning Commission for the standards tied to the parcel's district21.

How do septic permits work in Chatham County?

Chatham County Environmental Health is the local approval office for on-site sewage systems, operating within Georgia's statewide environmental-health framework4. Environmental Health permits and inspects those systems, and a Georgia-certified installer must perform the work526. The County Health Department must complete its final inspection before final cover is placed626. Only 0.2% of Chatham County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility a purchase contingency14. Georgia generally requires connection when public or community sewer is available within 200 feet of the property line or in an abutting public right-of-way27. A county water-and-sewer tap fee must also be paid before a building permit is issued when Consolidated Utilities serves the property28. Ask Environmental Health about the proposed house and drain-field locations before finalizing a site plan29.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Chatham County?

Chatham County's use schedule permits camping sites in the R-A district only for temporary overnight residence serving a recreational purpose10. That allowance does not confirm permanent RV residence or camping in another district; ask the Metropolitan Planning Commission about the parcel and proposed duration before relying on an RV for housing1021. A site-built or modular tiny home used as a dwelling must meet applicable dwelling codes and the county's district rules118. Temporary manufactured or mobile-home placement follows a separate path requiring a Zoning Administrator permit, compatible development pattern, approved foundation and skirting, with no additions13. That temporary manufactured-home rule also requires a tract of at least 20,000 square feet and includes additional conditions, so it should not be read as general permission for every manufactured home13. Chatham County has no confirmed countywide minimum dwelling size; ask zoning staff before ordering a unit21.

What are the steps to build a home in Chatham County?

  1. Confirm that the parcel is in unincorporated Chatham County, identify its official zoning district and verify the proposed use and dimensional standards with the Metropolitan Planning Commission3821.
  1. Obtain Environmental Health approval if the lot will use septic, and determine whether a Consolidated Utilities tap fee applies428.
  1. Obtain floodplain review before the building permit if the project is in a special flood-hazard area30.
  1. Secure land-disturbing approval before clearing, grading or digging, then submit the building-permit package1619.
  1. Obtain Public Works approval for a new residential or commercial driveway and any required right-of-way permit3132.
  1. Schedule the required construction and septic inspections166.
  1. Pass the building final and obtain Engineering approval of site improvements before the certificate of occupancy and power release17.

What should you check before buying land in Chatham County?

Before closing, verify the zoning district and have zoning staff confirm the proposed use, setbacks, height and lot standards8232421. Ask Environmental Health whether the lot can support septic; only 0.2% of Chatham County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field1429. Ask County Engineering whether the site is in a special flood-hazard area because covered development requires review before the building permit30. Public Works approval is required for a driveway serving new residential or commercial construction31. Chatham County's typical home value is about $340,029, while reported farmland value is about $4,753 per acre3334. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.9%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $2,4633536.

Watch-outs

  • The R-A camping-site allowance covers temporary recreational overnight use, not confirmed permanent RV residence10.
  • Projects in a special flood-hazard area require floodplain review before the building permit30.
  • Only 0.2% of Chatham County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so verify feasibility before buying14.

Sources

  1. When are Building Permits Required, quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning Ordinance of Chatham County, Section 1, quoted and re-checked
  3. Chatham County Zoning Ordinance, Section 1, quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  5. On-Site Sewage/Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  6. On-Site Sewage/Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  7. Chatham County Zoning Ordinance, Section 1, quoted and re-checked
  8. Chatham County Zoning Ordinance, Section 4-1 Establishment of Districts, quoted and re-checked
  9. Homeowner Affidavit, quoted and re-checked
  10. Chatham County Zoning Regulations, Section 2: Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  11. Georgia Tiny House Fact Sheet (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chatham County Code Book, Chapter 3: Land Uses, quoted and re-checked
  13. Chatham County C and R Use Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  14. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  15. Mandatory and Permissive State Codes (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Inspection Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  17. Inspection Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  18. Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services (buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov)
  19. Development Applications, quoted and re-checked
  20. Chatham County Revenue Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  21. Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) (thempc.org)
  22. Zoning Ordinance of Chatham County, Section 1, quoted and re-checked
  23. Chatham County Zoning Ordinance, Section 4-6.1 Development Standards for Dwellings, quoted and re-checked
  24. Chatham County Zoning Ordinance, Section 4-6.1 Development Standards for Dwellings, quoted and re-checked
  25. Chatham County Zoning Ordinance, Section 4-6.1 Development Standards for Dwellings, quoted and re-checked
  26. On-Site Sewage/Septic Systems - Georgia Coastal Health District, quoted and re-checked
  27. GA DPH Onsite Sewage Manual (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Building Permit Application Checklist, quoted and re-checked
  29. Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health Office (Georgia Coastal Health District) (coastalhealthdistrict.org)
  30. Floodplain Development Review, quoted and re-checked
  31. Complete Application Checklist Affidavit, quoted and re-checked
  32. Chatham County Department of Public Works and Park Services (publicworks.chathamcountyga.gov)
  33. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  34. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  35. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 7, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Chatham County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleChatham CountyBryan CountyLiberty CountyEffingham CountyMcIntosh CountyLong CountyBulloch County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept. Env. HealthGA Coastal Health DistrictCoastal Health DistrictCounty Env. HealthCounty Env. HealthCounty Env. HealthCounty Env. Health

County locator

Chatham County in Georgia

56
County map
Chatham County highlighted among the Georgia counties · colored by Index score

How Chatham County scores

Seclusion35100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency61100% ev.
Admin Boringness44100% ev.
Durability49100% ev.
Property Autonomy56100% ev.
Carry Cost71100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$340kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$4,753Land / acre
48.1"Annual rain
12.4% of yrsSevere drought
7.8 / yr (+6.7)Mid-century 100°F days
16.6 daysMid-century dry spell
3.16" (+3.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.19×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,100Home insurance / yr
1% / yrInsurance growth
1.68%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
246,931People within 30 min
1,176,468People within 2 hr
300,762Radius comparison (15 mi)
701.1People / sq mi
10.4%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
0.2%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
406 acWorkable land screen
40.1%Wooded land
76.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
67.2°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Chatham County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet researched: Tybee Island · Town of Vernonburg

Answers from the rulebook for Chatham County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Chatham County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New structures and listed structural, occupancy, demolition, roofing, signage, parking-lot, storage-tank, and trade work in the county permitting jurisdiction.

    • The page lists exceptions for signage under Section 7-17 of the Chatham County Zoning Ordinance.
    • Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work requires a permit unless waived by the Director of Inspections or designated authority.
    • The source list is not limited to residential construction.
    “The following types of work shall require permits: 1. New structures including main buildings, garages, carports, attached porches, sun decks, room additions and extensions or enlargement of existing rooms, accessory buildings, storage buildings, tool sheds, renovations, door and window replacements;”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner performing detailed work on a single-family dwelling under the Chatham County Homeowner Affidavit.

    • The owner must own the dwelling.
    • The dwelling must be single-family.
    • The owner must reside at the location or will reside there when construction is complete.
    • The owner must swear to the affidavit and have it notarized.
    • The owner may not hire anyone other than a licensed contractor to assist.
    • Violations may void the permit and result in citation, legal action, and possible loss of electrical service.
    “I do hereby swear that I am the owner of the above referenced dwelling and am requesting the right to perform the detailed work on the attached application. This is a single-family dwelling, and I am now (or will be when the construction is complete) residing at the location.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction inspections administered through Chatham County Building Safety and Regulatory Services.

    • The source describes minimum inspections mandated by code and states that other inspections may be necessary.
    • Required inspections include zoning setbacks, foundation/slab, sewer, electrical, plumbing, gas/HVAC, framing, insulation, and building final inspections.
    • Land-disturbing approval is required before clearing, grading, or digging begins.
    “These are the minimum inspections mandated by Code; other inspections may be necessary.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of permitted buildings in the county building-permitting jurisdiction.

    • All required inspections must be passed before requesting a building final.
    • The building final must be passed before issuance.
    • Engineering approval of all site improvements is required before certificate issuance and electrical power release.
    “The building final must be passed before issuance of a Chatham County Certificate of Occupancy. Building shall not be occupied without a Certificate of Occupancy.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Use and development of land within unincorporated Chatham County.

    • The ordinance states that it governs unincorporated areas of Chatham County.
    “These Regulations shall govern the use of all land and the developments thereof within the unincorporated areas of Chatham County.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Use of land and development in unincorporated Chatham County.
      “These Regulations shall govern the use of all land and the developments thereof within the unincorporated areas of Chatham County.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate conclusion for Chatham County: county zoning applies in unincorporated areas, while incorporated municipalities may administer their own zoning.

    • This is an aggregate county claim and does not attribute municipal ordinances to the county.
    • The MPC states that City of Savannah and Chatham County zoning administrators issue official zoning determinations for their respective jurisdictions.
    “Only the Zoning Administrators in the City of Savannah Development Services Department and the Chatham County Building Safety and Regulatory Services Department can issue/state the "official" zoning of a property.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — County-administered zoning in the unincorporated area.
      “These Regulations shall govern the use of all land and the developments thereof within the unincorporated areas of Chatham County.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts and related official zoning materials applicable in unincorporated Chatham County.

    • The county code incorporates the Zoning Ordinance of Chatham County, Georgia by reference and states that it is available in the offices of the County Clerk, Zoning Administrator, and Metropolitan Planning Commission.
    • The official zoning map, not the County Tax Assessor’s database, must be used to identify zoning districts.
    • Applicable land-use schedules must be consulted to determine whether a proposed use is allowed.
    • Residential & Conservation / Recreational districts are addressed in Section 4-5.1; Business & Industrial districts in Section 4-5.2; and PUD districts in Section 4-6.6.
    • The zoning ordinance was enacted and adopted August 10, 1962, and the county code excerpt states it was revised as of September 1987.

    zoning ordinance adoption date: 1962-08-10 · residential and conservation/recreational district land-use schedule: Section 4-5.1 · business and industrial district land-use schedule: Section 4-5.2 · planned unit development district land-use schedule: Section 4-6.6

    “there are hereby established within the unincorporated areas of Chatham County the following zoning districts:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential and nonresidential building setbacks in unincorporated Chatham County zoning districts.

    • Setbacks vary by street classification, zoning district, use, and whether the use is residential or nonresidential.
    • No structure may be closer than 20 feet from a design right-of-way line or 25 feet from the property line under the residential schedule.
    • No structure, except an elevated pier or wooden deck, may be within 25 feet of saltwater marshland.
    • An eave or roof overhang may extend up to 24 inches into a required setback only under the stated three-foot, 7.5-foot, and five-foot separation conditions.

    minimum design right-of-way setback: >= 20 ft (Residential schedule footnote.) · saltwater marshland setback: >= 25 ft (Except elevated pier or wooden deck.)

    “No structure shall be located closer than 20 feet from any design right-of-way line, nor closer than 25 feet from the property line.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Building coverage limits for nonresidential uses in unincorporated Chatham County zoning districts.

    • The nonresidential schedule contains district-specific building-coverage percentages, including 40 percent for several listed districts and district-specific values or C classifications elsewhere.
    • The opened schedule does not establish a single countywide residential coverage percentage.

    building coverage: 40 percent (Applies to listed nonresidential districts; other districts have their own entries.)

    “R-A District: Nonresidential 85 85 67.5 55 55 15 35 36 40”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Building-height limits in unincorporated Chatham County zoning districts.

    • Height varies by district and use.
    • The nonresidential schedule lists 36 feet for many named districts and C for other district entries.

    maximum building height: 36 ft (Applies to listed districts in the Section 4-6.2 schedule; other districts vary.)

    “R-A District: Nonresidential 85 85 67.5 55 55 15 35 36 40”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only

    Travel trailers, self-propelled motor homes, truck campers, and camping trailers used as camping sites in the Chatham County R-A zoning district.

    • The use is limited to camping sites involving temporary overnight residence for a recreational purpose.
    • The use schedule identifies camping sites as permitted in the R-A district; the schedule does not establish authorization for permanent or non-recreational RV residence.
    • Other applicable building, health, septic, floodplain, and permitting requirements may still apply.
    “List of Uses C-A C-M R-A R-A-1 R-M-H RMH-1 R-1 R-1-A R-1-B R-1-C R-2 R-2-A R-3 [...] 40b. Camping sites - - X - - - - - - - - - -”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Temporary manufactured or mobile homes in the county zoning districts shown in the official C and R use schedule.

    • A Zoning Administrator permit is required.
    • The Zoning Administrator may deny the petition upon finding the use may be detrimental to the surrounding neighborhood.
    • The placement must be compatible with the established development pattern.
    • The tract must be at least 20,000 square feet.
    • An unoccupied lot must comply with one-family-dwelling regulations.
    • Skirting and an approved foundation are required.
    • No additions may be made.
    • The temporary permit provisions include additional medical-disability, permit-duration, transfer, and bond conditions where applicable; the opened excerpt states that a permit is valid for 12 months and requires a $250 bond in that context.

    minimum tract size: >= 20000 sq ft (temporary manufactured/mobile-home use) · permit bond: 250 USD (before permit issuance under the cited conditions) · permit validity: 12 months (subject to the extension and transfer provisions stated in the ordinance)

    “Any permit issued under these conditions shall be issued only after a finding by the Zoning Administrator that a hardship situation exists because of a medical disability.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site sewage systems in Chatham County.

    • Georgia DPH states that onsite sewage systems are regulated and inspected through the environmental-health program.
    • Chatham County permit materials require Environmental Health approval for all lots that have or will have a septic tank.
    • The county checklist identifies the Environmental Health Department as the approval office, while Georgia DPH supplies the statewide program framework.
    “For complaints, record requests, services, inspections, exams, or other locally-related questions, call your County Environmental Health Office.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of on-site sewage management systems in Chatham County, which is served by the Georgia Coastal Health District.

    • The Environmental Health program is responsible for permitting and inspecting on-site sewage management systems.
    • The system must conform to Georgia Department of Public Health rules, Chapter 511-3-1.
    • All work must be completed by a Georgia state certified septic installer.
    • Final inspection by the County Health Department is required before final cover material is applied.
    “The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh [...] The Environmental Health program is responsible for permitting and inspecting on-site sewage management systems to ensure they meet all requirements.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — On-site sewage management systems in Chatham County.
      “The Environmental Health program is responsible for permitting and inspecting on-site sewage management systems to ensure they meet all requirements.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    On-site sewage management systems in Chatham County.

    • Environmental Health also investigates complaints and inspects repairs made to improperly functioning systems.
    “The Environmental Health program is responsible for permitting and inspecting on-site sewage management systems to ensure they meet all requirements.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Private-property building permits where the property is served by Consolidated Utilities.

    • A county water-and-sewer tap fee is charged when the property is served by Consolidated Utilities.
    • The tap fee must be paid before the permit is issued.
    • The source does not establish that every county property is served by Consolidated Utilities.
    “If the property is served by Consolidated Utilities, you will be charged a tap fee and must be paid before the permit is issued.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Residential and commercial new construction requiring driveway review.

    • Public Works Department approval is required for driveways for residential and commercial new construction.
    • The building application materials identify a culvert fee and driveway bond review where applicable.
    • The source does not establish a single countywide driveway design measurement.
    “Public Works Department (Driveways for residential and commercial new construction)”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    All projects entirely or partially in A, AE, or VE flood zones/SFHA.

    • Floodplain Development Review and approval are required before obtaining a building permit when a building permit is required.
    • Incomplete packets are not accepted.
    • As of August 22, 2025, large-project review is $450 and small-project review is $150; each application includes two reviews and additional reviews require additional fees.
    • Projects started before review may receive a Stop Work Order or Notice of Violation and double fees.

    large-project review fee: 450 USD (as of August 22, 2025) · small-project review fee: 150 USD (as of August 22, 2025)

    “Floodplain Development Review Required for ALL projects in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) [...] For projects requiring a building permit, the floodplain review and approval process is required before obtaining a building permit.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published county zoning, subdivision, and development-review fees.

    • The revenue ordinance distinguishes original filing fees and includes notification, advertising, and administrative costs where stated.
    • Examples include a $620 variance base fee for owner-occupied single-family detached dwellings with permitted accessory structures, $1,300 for other applications, and final-plat fees of $900 plus $150 per lot for minor plats and $1,350 plus $150 per lot for major plats.

    owner-occupied single-family variance base fee: 620 USD (Includes $120 Building Safety and Regulatory Services and $500 MPC costs.) · minor final plat base fee: 900 USD (Plus $150 per lot.) · major final plat base fee: 1350 USD (Plus $150 per lot.)

    “Minor - Nine hundred dollars ($900.00) base fee plus one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per lot - Original filing fee at the time of application”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County engineering development applications and review processes.

    • Official forms are provided for land-disturbing activities, plat review, water-and-sewer plan review inside municipalities, plot-plan review, watershed impact review, and floodplain approval.
    • The development page lists forms and does not itself establish every approval criterion or processing time.
    “The following application forms are available for download: [...] Land Disturbing Activities (LDA) Permit Forms [...] County Engineering Plat Review”

Georgia rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    The Georgia mandatory state minimum construction codes, including the International Building Code, International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, International Fire Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, National Electrical Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, apply to construction statewide.

    • Any structure built in Georgia must comply with the mandatory codes whether or not the local government chooses to locally enforce them.
    • Local governments are not required to adopt the mandatory codes, but must adopt administrative procedures to enforce them under O.C.G.A. Section 8-2-25(a).
    • A local government may choose which mandatory codes it will locally enforce.
    • Local amendments cannot be less stringent than the state minimum code; must be based on local climatic, geologic, topographic, or public safety factors; must identify the need for more stringent requirements in legislative findings; and must be submitted to DCA 60 days before proposed adoption.
    • DCA has 60 days after submission to make a recommendation. If DCA recommends against adoption, the local governing body must specifically reject that recommendation before adopting and enforcing the amendment. If DCA does not respond within 60 days, the local government may adopt the amendment. Adopted local amendments must be filed with DCA.
    “As noted above, the building, one and two family dwelling residential, fire, plumbing, mechanical, gas, electrical, energy, and swimming pool codes are mandatory codes, meaning that under Georgia law, any structure built in Georgia must comply with these codes, whether or not the local government chooses to locally enforce these codes. In addition, since Georgia law gives the enumerated codes statewide applicability, it is not required that local governments have to adopt the mandatory codes.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — Georgia permissive state construction codes, including the Disaster Resilient Building Code IBC Appendix, Disaster Resilient Building Code IRC Appendix, International Property Maintenance Code, International Existing Building Code, and National Green Building Standard.
      “The remaining codes are referred to as permissive codes. Unlike the mandatory codes, in order for a local government to enforce one or more of these permissive codes, that code or codes must be adopted, either by ordinance or resolution, by the local jurisdiction. A copy of the ordinance or resolution adopted must be forwarded to DCA (O.C.G.A. Section 8-2-25 (b)).”
    • Partial — Georgia construction, including residential construction, under the statewide State Minimum Standard Codes framework.
      “The mandatory codes are applicable to all construction whether or not they are locally enforced and the permissive codes are only applicable if a local government chooses to adopt and enforce one or more of these codes.”
    • Adopted — Georgia construction, including residential construction in unincorporated county areas.
      “The mandatory codes are applicable to all construction whether or not they are locally enforced”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Site-built or modular tiny homes used as single-family dwelling units in Georgia.

    • Tiny homes that are modular dwellings or site-built dwellings are subject to the applicable Georgia building codes.
    • A tiny home must be approved for siting by the applicable local government; local zoning controls land use, location, height, width, foundation type, stories, and minimum lot or building size.
    • The 2020 Georgia IRC Appendix Q tiny-house provisions are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopted local ordinance.
    • This claim does not establish statewide permission for RV-based or manufactured-home tiny homes, which are subject to different standards.

    tiny house floor area: <= 400 square feet or less, excluding lofts · minimum habitable room size referenced in Georgia amendment: >= 70 square feet (source fact sheet describes the 2012 IRC amendment; current local adoption and code edition must be confirmed)

    “Tiny homes are dwelling units and therefore they are subject to the same building code regulations as any other traditional site-built or stick-built home.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation using privies, approved alternative onsite sewage systems, or certified composting toilets in Georgia.

    • Privies must meet the Manual's minimum design and construction criteria.
    • Alternative onsite sewage systems must be approved by the Department and meet the Manual's minimum design and construction criteria.
    • Composting toilets must be certified by the National Sanitation Foundation to current Standard 41 or certified by the manufacturer as meeting a nationally recognized standard.
    • Applicable County Board of Health permits and inspections remain required where the system is an onsite sewage management system.
    “composting toilets may be considered”
  • Well permitLimited

    Domestic and other water-well construction in Georgia.

    • All water wells must comply with the Water Well Standards Act.
    • A water-well contractor must contact the local county health department in advance for site review.
    • Certain county health departments require a well-construction permit before construction.
    • Agricultural irrigation wells require a Letter of Concurrence before drilling begins.
    • Well Construction Data must be sent to the owner and local health department within 30 days after completion.

    well construction data submission deadline: <= 30 days after completion

    “certain county health departments require well construction permits prior to well construction”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Bona fide agricultural and/or timber property qualifying for Georgia conservation-use current-use assessment.

    • The property must be devoted to a qualifying conservation use.
    • The property must be maintained in a qualifying use for ten years.
    • The owner must file the application with the county board of tax assessors by the county deadline for filing ad valorem tax returns.
    • This is a property-tax assessment benefit and does not itself establish an exemption from local zoning or building regulations.

    assessment basis: 40 percent of current use value · minimum covenant period: >= 10 years

    “Real property that is devoted to bona fide conservation uses is assessed at 40% of its current use value.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Farm buildings or structures qualifying under Georgia law for exemption from the state minimum standard building codes.
      “exempts such buildings from the state minimum standard building codes.”
    • Available (with conditions) — Crop-management and animal-husbandry practices involved in producing agricultural or farm products on private property in Georgia.
      “regulating crop management or animal husbandry practices involved in the production of agricultural or farm products on any private property.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Statewide Georgia legal framework for subdivision creation and enforcement of properly adopted county subdivision ordinances.

    • County subdivision ordinances and regulations remain enforceable against the developer or owner seeking to create the subdivision.
    • Local subdivision ordinances may not alter the superior-court clerk’s mandatory recording duties or add recording requirements beyond those prescribed by general law.
    • The source is an Attorney General opinion addressing the recording statute and local subdivision regulation.
    “All of the properly adopted ordinances and regulations of a county remain fully enforceable against the developer or owner seeking to create the subdivision.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Creation and recording of subdivisions and subdivision plats in Georgia, subject to applicable state recording law and properly adopted local subdivision ordinances.
      “All of the properly adopted ordinances and regulations of a county remain fully enforceable against the developer or owner seeking to create the subdivision.”
    • Limited — Creation and recording of subdivisions and subdivision plats in Georgia, subject to applicable county and municipal ordinances and statutory plat-recording rules.
      “All of the properly adopted ordinances and regulations of a county remain fully enforceable against the developer or owner seeking to create the subdivision.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Property-management services for Georgia properties available for less than 90 days' occupancy by guests or occupants; this is a conditional exemption from Chapter 40 of Title 43 and does not eliminate applicable zoning, tax, licensing, permit, or other local requirements.

    • The property manager must enter into a written agreement with the owner specifying all management terms and conditions, reporting of income and expenses, and remitting income to the owner.
    • The management agreement must not allow the property manager to rent or lease the property, and the guest or occupant agreement must not be a lease or rental agreement.
    • Applicable zoning laws must not prohibit short-term occupancy uses of the property.
    • The guest's or occupant's occupancy must be for less than 90 days.
    • No deposit may exceed the cost of the rental required for the minimum rental period.
    • The guest or occupant must pay required state or local sales taxes or excise taxes on rooms, lodgings, and accommodations, and the property manager must have required state or local business licenses or permits.
    • The property manager must have authority to specify the rooms or units the guest or occupant will occupy.
    • No extra charge may be made for basic utilities.
    • Notice is not required for a guest or occupant to terminate occupancy of the room or unit, except as provided under Article 1 of Chapter 21 of Title 43.
    • The room or unit must not be the guest's or occupant's permanent residence.
    • The cited enactment concerns exemption from real-estate-broker licensing requirements; it is not a statewide authorization overriding local short-term-rental ordinances or private restrictions.

    maximum occupancy duration: < 90 days (The condition requires occupancy for less than 90 days.)

    “(a) Except as otherwise provided, this chapter shall not apply to: [...] (11) Any person who provides property management services on properties available for less than 90 days' occupancy by guests or occupants and meets all of the following conditions:”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Georgia counties exercising zoning power over unincorporated areas within their territorial boundaries.

    • The Zoning Procedures Law confirms local-government zoning authority generally; it does not require a local government to exercise zoning power.
    • For counties, territorial boundaries are the unincorporated areas and certain areas defined in O.C.G.A. § 36-70-2(5.1).
    • County zoning ordinances and zoning decisions remain subject to the statutory minimum procedures, including public-hearing and notice requirements.
    • The statute defines zoning to include districting property for various uses, prohibiting other uses within zones or districts, and regulating development and improvement of real estate within those zones or districts.
    “While recognizing and confirming the authority of local governments to exercise zoning power within their respective territorial boundaries [...] “Local government” means any county or municipality”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Georgia counties administering and enforcing state minimum construction codes, including residential construction in unincorporated areas.

    • Local governments must adopt reasonable administrative provisions for administering and enforcing state minimum standard codes.
    • Those administrative powers include inspecting buildings, employing inspectors and other personnel, requiring permits and establishing permit charges, and contracting with other local governments for code enforcement.
    • A local government may choose which mandatory state codes it locally enforces, but any mandatory code locally enforced must use the latest edition and DCA amendments.
    • Local amendments may not be less stringent than the state minimum code, must be based on local climatic, geologic, topographic, or public-safety factors, require legislative findings identifying the need, and must be submitted to DCA 60 days before proposed adoption.
    • Local amendments must be filed with DCA after adoption.
    “These powers include: [...] Requiring permits and to establishment charges for said permits; and Contracting with other local governments for code enforcement.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Chatham County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in unincorporated Chatham County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Chatham County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Chatham County.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Water rights & wells in Chatham County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Georgia’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

O.C.G.A. 12-5-96: no groundwater permit below 100,000 gpd. Household wells (a few hundred gpd) are exempt statewide; local well-construction rules still apply.

Limit: withdrawal permit only at/above 100,000 gpd

Georgia Code 12-5-96 (Ground-Water Use Act) ↗
  • Coastal Georgia Upper Floridan Saltwater-Intrusion Management Area (Red/Yellow Zones)partial of county

    Within EPD's 24-county coastal plan, Upper Floridan withdrawal restrictions bind these capped sub-areas: Red Zone (Chatham + south Effingham, hold to ~2004 levels then reduce; new permits generally require surface water), Yellow Zone (Bryan, Liberty), and the Glynn/Brunswick saltwater plume (no new Upper Floridan wells). Restrictions apply to PERMITTED withdrawals >=100,000 gpd; household wells are not capped even in the Red Zone.

    Georgia EPD — Coastal Georgia Salt Water Intrusion Plan (2006) ↗

Regulated-riparian state (large uses permitted). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Georgia state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Chatham County, Georgia

Is Chatham County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Chatham County scores 56/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and workable self-sufficiency basics: 48.1″/yr rainfall and 40.1% wooded land. Watch-outs: about 246,931 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Chatham County, Georgia?

Chatham County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health (Coastal Health District, GA DPH). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Chatham County, Georgia?

Land in Chatham County runs about $4,753 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Chatham County?

Chatham County gets about 48.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 12.4% of years. On water rights, Chatham County lies in the Coastal Georgia Upper Floridan Saltwater-Intrusion Management Area (Red/Yellow Zones) — Within EPD's 24-county coastal plan, Upper Floridan withdrawal restrictions bind these capped sub-areas: Red Zone (Chatham + south Effingham, hold to ~2004 levels then reduce; new permits generally require surface water), Yellow Zone (Bryan, Liberty), and the Glynn/Brunswick saltwater plume (no new Upper Floridan wells). Restrictions apply to PERMITTED withdrawals >=100,000 gpd; household wells are not capped even in the Red Zone..

How remote is Chatham County?

A representative private-land location has about 246,931 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,176,468 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Chatham compares in Georgia

Compare side-by-side →See all 159 Georgia counties ranked →