Building Department

Commercial Permit Requirements

The following applies to the construction of all Multi-family, Commercial, and Industrial Structures.

All plans for buildings costing more than $50,000.00 shall be sealed by a registered architect or professional engineer.

All prefabricated buildings require structural plans and specifications from the manufacturer.

Plans are to show the method of sewage disposal.

• If on a sewer system, proof must be provided that the county or city tap-on fee has been paid. If a septic tank system is to be used, a permit must be obtained from the Henry County Health Department before a building permit can be issued.
• If a new water meter is required, the meter must be paid for and installed before the final inspection is made.

The applicable construction codes can be found on the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website.

In order to properly evaluate the code requirements for warehouse facilities we require a statement from the owner of the building providing details of the nature of the material stored, (MSDS) methods of storage, amounts stored and stack height.

Unless a more restrictive code section applies, residential occupancies up to and including four stories in height, with the exception of one and two family dwellings, shall be provided with a fire sprinkler system designed and installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association Standard NFPA 13A.

The fee schedule for the building permit is $3.70 per thousand dollars of the valuation calculated from the ICC Valuation Data Tables. If the estimated cost of construction exceeds this calculation, the estimated cost of construction will be used to calculate fees.

A plan review  fee will be charged for the plan review of all buildings and structures except one and two family dwellings. The plan review fee shall be 25% of the building permit fee and is payable when the Building Plans are submitted for review.

The following Design Criteria applies to all construction:

• Ground Snow Load Pg = 5 psf.
• Wind Velocity V = 90 mph
• Seismic Performance Category for Group I and II is “B”. For Group III it is “C”.
• Energy Code = Climate Zone 3.
• Winter Design Temperature = 22 degrees.
• Weathering = Moderate.
• Air Freezing Index = 58
• Mean Annual Temperature = 61.7 degrees.
• Frost line depth = 12 inches (minimum per code)
• Termite=Very heavy.
• Decay = Moderate to Severe.
• Fire District-At present time no area of Henry County has been designated as a “Fire District” as defined by the Building Code.