Do I need a permit for plumbing fixture or repiping in Savannah?
Yes. In Georgia, plumbing fixture or repiping generally requires a permit, and Savannah is no exception.
Repiping or moving supply and drain lines requires a plumbing permit; a simple like-for-like fixture swap (for example a faucet) using existing connections is often exempt, but confirm locally. Concealed piping must be inspected before walls are closed, so schedule the rough inspection before covering the work. The City of Savannah lists replacing water piping as work that needs a plumbing permit, so a repipe must be permitted even when no structural work is involved. Stand-alone trade permits must be filed online through eTRAC by a Georgia licensed contractor registered in the system; homeowners can self-perform only in an owner-occupied residence under the Homeowner's Affidavit. Rough-in should be inspected before covering walls, since closing walls early commonly forces removal to expose the work. Work that moves or replaces pipes, rather than swapping a fixture, alters the plumbing system itself and is not covered by fixture replacement exemptions. Pipe work normally requires a plumbing permit, a pressure or air test, and a rough in inspection before walls are closed, and many jurisdictions require a licensed plumber to pull the permit. Chatham County's own permitting office is the Chatham County Department of Building Safety and Regulatory Services, reachable on (912) 201-4300 at https://buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov/. Its online permit portal is https://buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov/PermitsInspections/ApplyForPermit. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, and many smaller Georgia municipalities do not, this is the office that will handle the job. The rough inspection has to happen before walls are closed, so confirm scheduling lead time when you pull the permit.
Documents you may need
- Plumbing / technical permit applicationrequired
- Scope of work or piping / fixture planSometimes required
- Contractor license and insurance informationSometimes required
- Plumbing trade permit application submitted online through the eTRAC portal at eTRAC.savannahga.govrequired
- Georgia licensed plumbing contractor registered with eTRAC, or a signed and notarized Homeowner's Affidavit if the owner self-performs in an owner-occupied homerequired
- Scope describing the repipe extent and materialsLikely required
Possible inspections
- Rough plumbing inspection (for repiping or new lines)
- Final plumbing inspection
- Plumbing rough-in inspection before walls are closed, scheduled through Development Services
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for plumbing fixture or repiping in Savannah?
- Yes. In Georgia, plumbing fixture or repiping generally requires a permit, and Savannah is no exception. Repiping or moving supply and drain lines requires a plumbing permit; a simple like-for-like fixture swap (for example a faucet) using existing connections is often exempt, but confirm locally. Concealed piping must be inspected before walls are closed, so schedule the rough inspection before covering the work. The City of Savannah lists replacing water piping as work that needs a plumbing permit, so a repipe must be permitted even when no structural work is involved. Stand-alone trade permits must be filed online through eTRAC by a Georgia licensed contractor registered in the system; homeowners can self-perform only in an owner-occupied residence under the Homeowner's Affidavit. Rough-in should be inspected before covering walls, since closing walls early commonly forces removal to expose the work. Work that moves or replaces pipes, rather than swapping a fixture, alters the plumbing system itself and is not covered by fixture replacement exemptions. Pipe work normally requires a plumbing permit, a pressure or air test, and a rough in inspection before walls are closed, and many jurisdictions require a licensed plumber to pull the permit. Chatham County's own permitting office is the Chatham County Department of Building Safety and Regulatory Services, reachable on (912) 201-4300 at https://buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov/. Its online permit portal is https://buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov/PermitsInspections/ApplyForPermit. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, and many smaller Georgia municipalities do not, this is the office that will handle the job. The rough inspection has to happen before walls are closed, so confirm scheduling lead time when you pull the permit.
- Who issues the permit in Savannah?
- The local building department for Savannah handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.