Residential & Commercial Building Applications

The Columbia County Building Standards Department provides review, permitting, inspection, approval, and certification for residential and commercial construction activities within Columbia County. This process begins with a submission of documents to the department, including application forms, checklists, site maps, drawings, etc. Links to these forms are found below.

In order to submit permit documents electronically, you must first register with the county through Citizen Self-Service (CSS). The steps that you should follow are found on this page.

Register in Customer Self-Service

Registration is a simple process that signs you up for access to CSS. Please see the Registering in Citizen Self Service (PDF) on how to register!

Submit Applications

To submit an application for a Residential or Commercial Building Permit, follow the instructions on this page.

First, fill out the appropriate application.

Use the Commercial Building Application (PDF) if you are requesting a permit for a commercial building.

Next, log in to Citizen Self Service through the Columbia County website, and choose the Building Plan Submission Form to submit your application, drawings, and other associated materials that are required for your permit. Once the Building Standards team verifies that your submission is complete, you will be contacted regarding the payment of any required fees.

Please contact the Building Standards Department at 706-868-3420 for additional information.

Next, log in to Citizen Self Service through the Columbia County website, and choose the Building Plan Submission Form to submit your application, drawings, and other associated materials that are required for your permit. Once the Building Standards team verifies that your submission is complete, you will be contacted regarding the payment of any required fees.

Please contact the Building Standards Department at 706-868-3420 for additional information.

Building Standards Fee Schedule (PDF)

Signs

The sign permitting review process is managed by the Planning Department. The Permits Department will issue the permit upon the approval of the application.

Timber Harvesting

A Notice of Timber Harvesting (PDF) is required in unincorporated Columbia County. You may email the completed notice to Development Services or fax 706-868-3381. Please note the following requirements as defined in Columbia County Code of Ordinances Chapter 22 Business Regulations, Article V Regulation of Timber Harvesting.