Building and Planning
The Bainbridge-Decatur County Building Department is now offering contractors and homeowners the opportunity to apply for permits through our new online portal. We hope this new option will make the permitting process more convenient for both contractors and homeowners. You can register and apply for a permit by clicking this link: Online Permit Portal
Physical Address: 101 South Broad Street, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 158, Bainbridge, Georgia 39818.
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Telephone: (229) 248-2000, Fax: (229) 246-7311
The goal of the Bainbridge-Decatur County Marshal’s Office is to protect the health and general welfare and to maintain quality of life in the community while preserving its lifestyle and values. The department ensures consistency of the planning activities taking place in Decatur County with policies included in Decatur County’s Comprehensive Plan pertinent to growth and development of the County. The department is divided into four divisions: Planning, Zoning, Building Permitting & Inspection.
The Bainbridge-Decatur County Planning Commission is a seven-member board that meets at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in the Bainbridge City Hall Council Chambers at 101 South Broad St. when there is Planning Department matters to discuss. It reviews zoning cases, preliminary and final plats for subdivisions or other proposed developments and makes determinations on variance or hardship requests from citizens, among other things.
Planning Division
Steve O’Neil /Community Development Director
Phone: 229-248-2000, ext. 125
Email: steveo@bainbridgecity.com
The Planning Division is responsible for preparing the County’s Comprehensive plan, which includes policies and objectives for the growth and development of the community, as well as preparing the necessary County regulations for day to day operation and management of the County. The Planning Office staff intends to provide information to citizens, residents or members of the business community on interpretation and administration of the regulations adopted by the City/County.
Zoning Division
Decatur County has not yet adopted a zoning ordinance but regulates usage of land through other ordinances, one of which is the Unified Development Ordinance, which serves was enacted to promote the proper location, height, bulk, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures, sizes of yards, courts, and the use of other open spaces, density and distribution of population, and the use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, recreation, agriculture, forestry, conservation, sanitation, protection against floods, and public activities. This Ordinance also works as a framework for coordinating review of the development proposals with other local and state government entities including, but not limited to, Decatur County Environmental Health Department, Georgia Department of Transportation, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Building Permitting & Inspection
For Permitting Go To:
If you have any questions, email Rachel Trolinger – rachelt@bainbridgecity.com or call 229-248-2000 Ex. 111.
The Building Permitting and Inspection Division is dedicated to helping protect the life, health and property of all the citizens of Decatur County from hazards of faulty design and construction.
This division is responsible for evaluating building plans, submitted for review and enforcing Building Code, as well as other County ordinances related to building such as Manufactured Home and Travel Trailer Regulations, Multi-Family Housing Regulations, Building and Construction Regulations, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, and Standards for Telecommunication Antennae and Towers. Permits are issued for buildings, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), plumbing and electrical work. For land disturbance activities, please contact the Natural Resources Department, Environmental Protection Division at:
(229) 248-2000.
Planning Department Documents and Permits
Decatur County Unified Development Ordinance 8-23-22
Ordinance for Enforcement of Decatur County Environmental Health Regulations
Nonprofit Food Sales & Food Services Ordinance adopt 6-9-09
Floodplain Ordinance Adopted June 23, 2009
Revised Aug 8, 2009 Food Service Temp. Application pdf
Decatur County Final Watershed Protection Plan 2010
Health_Safety_Stds_Preowned_Mobile_Homes_Feb_2011
Road Highway Bridges Admin_Policies Part I
Road Highway Bridges Admin_Policies Part II
Road Highway Bridges Admin_Policies Part III
PROCEDURE OUTLINE FOR NEW SUBDIVISIONS
All permits relating to construction are issued from this department (i.e. building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, mechanical permits, mobile home permits, low voltage electrical installation permits, sprinkler installation permits, etc.). We also process requests for matters relating to development issues, subdivision requests, special use requests, variance requests, tree removal requests, nuisance abatement.
PULLING PERMITS: In order to pull a permit, all contractors must complete the Contractor’s Registration on the portal – Online Permit Portal