Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Augusta-Richmond County (Consolidated Government)?
It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Augusta-Richmond County (Consolidated Government) comes down to the details of your project.
Augusta's FAQ states one-story detached tool and storage sheds are exempt from a building permit only when the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet; a larger utility or storage building requires a permit. Even when a small shed is permit-exempt, Augusta requires a plot plan and Planning and Zoning approval for storage sheds and additions, and zoning setbacks still apply. This site is informational and not a government agency; confirm your shed size and setbacks with the Planning and Development Department at 706-312-5050 before building. A shed that will have electricity, plumbing, or a permanent foundation falls outside the usual small accessory building exemption, which generally covers simple unpowered structures only. Electrical and plumbing work each normally require their own permit and inspection even when the structure itself would have been exempt, and many jurisdictions require a licensed electrician or plumber to pull them. Zoning setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage are reviewed separately from the building permit, so confirm placement with your local department before the shed is delivered or poured. The 200 square foot figure quoted for Georgia is a model figure, not an enforceable statewide threshold. It appears at Section R105.2 of the International Residential Code with Georgia Amendments, but the Georgia amendments delete Chapter 1, Scope and Administration, without substitution and keep it in the code only as a reference and guide for local governments to use in the development of their own administrative procedures. Georgia jurisdictions that follow that guidance exempt one-story detached accessory structures other than storm shelters up to 200 square feet, but the threshold that binds at your address is the local one. Several Georgia cities draw the line lower, so do not assume 200 applies where you live. Sandy Springs requires a permit for detached structures of 120 square feet or larger, and Savannah requires one for a new closed-roof accessory structure over 120 square feet. Ask your building department for the figure that applies at your address. A local size exemption is an exemption from the permit, not from the rules. Zoning setbacks, height limits and lot coverage still apply, and so does the construction standard in the body of the Georgia residential code. Running electrical or plumbing to the shed triggers a separate trade permit regardless of the structure size. Richmond County's own permitting office is the Richmond County Augusta Planning and Development, Building Permits Division, reachable on (706) 821-1796 at https://www.augustaga.gov/2101/Building-Permits. Its online permit portal is https://cityview.augustaga.gov/cityviewportal. 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. Ask specifically about the size that triggers a permit and about setbacks, since those are set locally and are the two things people most often get wrong on a shed.
Documents you may need
- Building permit application through the Augusta CityView Portal for a storage building over 120 square feetLikely required
- Plot plan showing the accessory structure location, which Augusta requires for storage sheds and additionsrequired
- Planning and Zoning approval, which Augusta requires before the permit can be issuedrequired
- Permit applicationLikely required
- Site plan showing setbacks and property linesLikely required
- Structure plans or manufacturer specificationsSometimes required
Possible inspections
- Setback or foundation inspection where applicable, requested through the CityView Portal or pddtechs@augustaga.gov
- Final inspection
- Footing / foundation inspection (for permanent structures)
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Augusta-Richmond County (Consolidated Government)?
- It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Augusta-Richmond County (Consolidated Government) comes down to the details of your project. Augusta's FAQ states one-story detached tool and storage sheds are exempt from a building permit only when the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet; a larger utility or storage building requires a permit. Even when a small shed is permit-exempt, Augusta requires a plot plan and Planning and Zoning approval for storage sheds and additions, and zoning setbacks still apply. This site is informational and not a government agency; confirm your shed size and setbacks with the Planning and Development Department at 706-312-5050 before building. A shed that will have electricity, plumbing, or a permanent foundation falls outside the usual small accessory building exemption, which generally covers simple unpowered structures only. Electrical and plumbing work each normally require their own permit and inspection even when the structure itself would have been exempt, and many jurisdictions require a licensed electrician or plumber to pull them. Zoning setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage are reviewed separately from the building permit, so confirm placement with your local department before the shed is delivered or poured. The 200 square foot figure quoted for Georgia is a model figure, not an enforceable statewide threshold. It appears at Section R105.2 of the International Residential Code with Georgia Amendments, but the Georgia amendments delete Chapter 1, Scope and Administration, without substitution and keep it in the code only as a reference and guide for local governments to use in the development of their own administrative procedures. Georgia jurisdictions that follow that guidance exempt one-story detached accessory structures other than storm shelters up to 200 square feet, but the threshold that binds at your address is the local one. Several Georgia cities draw the line lower, so do not assume 200 applies where you live. Sandy Springs requires a permit for detached structures of 120 square feet or larger, and Savannah requires one for a new closed-roof accessory structure over 120 square feet. Ask your building department for the figure that applies at your address. A local size exemption is an exemption from the permit, not from the rules. Zoning setbacks, height limits and lot coverage still apply, and so does the construction standard in the body of the Georgia residential code. Running electrical or plumbing to the shed triggers a separate trade permit regardless of the structure size. Richmond County's own permitting office is the Richmond County Augusta Planning and Development, Building Permits Division, reachable on (706) 821-1796 at https://www.augustaga.gov/2101/Building-Permits. Its online permit portal is https://cityview.augustaga.gov/cityviewportal. 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. Ask specifically about the size that triggers a permit and about setbacks, since those are set locally and are the two things people most often get wrong on a shed.
- Who issues the permit in Augusta-Richmond County (Consolidated Government)?
- The local building department for Augusta-Richmond County (Consolidated Government) 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.