Planning & Development

Accela Software

Hall County now utilizes the Accela software for Planning & Development applications, allowing citizens to submit all applications online from anywhere in the world. Need assistance? Check out these tutorial videos (via Vimeo):

Ready to go? Visit the Accela Citizen Access Portal to get started.

Comprehensive Plan Update - Input Needed

Hall County is updating its Comprehensive Plan.

Want to weigh in on the future of Hall County? Take our community surveys and make your voice heard as we embark on an update to our Comprehensive Plan, the roadmap for Hall County's future growth and development.

The Planning Department is available for in-person business between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please note that while we do our best to accommodate walk-in customers, there may be a wait as priority is given to pre-scheduled appointments. To schedule an appointment, please call 770-531-6809.

For customers who prefer to submit paper applications, please reference the appropriate tab below for the application and documentation needed for each type of permit.

  1. Residential Building Permits

Residential Building Permit

In order to process your request for a residential building permit we will need you to provide the following information:

 Please reference the Residential Building Permit Checklist.

  1. New Residential Construction application.
  2. Recorded Plat. Recorded plats are kept on file with the Deeds and Records Room at 116 Spring St, Gainesville, Ga. Telephone number 770-531-7058.
  3. To – Scale Site Plan (sample) of your property that reflects the overall dimensions of the proposed structure and distances to all surrounding property lines at their closest points
  4. Copy of water meter receipt (For new residential construction only)
  5. Contractor’s State License, photo ID of State License Holder and Business License
  6. Sub-Contractor Affidavits for all trades with State License and Business License
  7. If work is not being done by Homeowner, Property Owner/Homeowner Affidavit and driver's license/photo ID
  8. If property is on Septic, additional documents may be required by the Environmental Health Department.

Residential Building Permit Packet: https://www.hallcounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/11267/Residential-Building-Permit-Application-Packet-1


Builidng Permit Approval Process Diagram image


  1. Commercial Building Permits
  1. Sign Permit
  1. Utility Permit
  1. Building Inspections
  1. Development Review
  1. Plat Review
  1. Special Use, Variance and Rezoning Requests

About the Department

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The Planning and Development department is made up of seven divisions. Each division within the department serves the needs of local residents, businesses, and/or developers in obtaining necessary permits. Whether you are looking to rezone your property, build a house, apply for a land disturbance permit, acquire a business license, or request an alcohol permit we are able to assist you with any of these requests.

Building Inspections Division

The Building Inspections Division is responsible for scheduling inspections and enforcement of building codes.

Business License Division

The Business License Division is responsible for issuing and renewing business licenses and registrations. This division also issues alcohol licenses, alcohol server permits, and pawnshop licenses.

Current and Long Range Planning Division

The Current and Long Range Planning Division is responsible for managing the rezoning, plat, conditional use application processes as well as policy and code changes as reflected in the Hall County Comprehensive Plan. This division is also responsible for the zoning verification process for building permits and business licenses. 

Development Review Division

The Development Review Division is responsible for land development review and permitting of large-scale residential and commercial projects.

Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Planning Organization (GHMPO)

The GHMPO is responsible for conducting the federally mandated transportation planning process for the Gainesville Urbanized Area and portions of the Atlanta Urbanized Area.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Division

The GIS Division is responsible for updating and maintaining a variety of data layers, develops and maintains the county’s spatial databases, and provides mapping and data services to local government departments and staff.

Long Range Planning Division

The Long Range Planning Division is responsible for managing the rezoning, plat, conditional use and home occupation permit processes. In addition, it oversees policy and code changes as reflected in the Hall County Comprehensive Plan.

Marshal’s Office

The Marshal’s Office is responsible for enforcement of county ordinances. The Office also is responsible for providing security at the Hall County Government Center and Hall County Parks.