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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):
- Create an Account
- Download Approved Plans
- Issues and Conditions
- Finalize and Submit Review Package
- Residential New Construction
- Revisions After Approval
- Submit Revised Plans
- Upload Plans
Ready to go? Visit the Accela Citizen Access Portal to get started.
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.
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.
- New Residential Construction application.
- 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.
- 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
- Copy of water meter receipt (For new residential construction only)
- Contractor’s State License, photo ID of State License Holder and Business License
- Sub-Contractor Affidavits for all trades with State License and Business License
- If work is not being done by Homeowner, Property Owner/Homeowner Affidavit and driver's license/photo ID
- 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
Commercial Building Permits:
In order to process your request for a commercial building permit we will need you to provide the following information:
- Commercial Building Permit application
- To – Scale Civil Site Plan (do not need the entire set of Civil Plans)
- To-Scale Architect Plans
- Stamped/Approved Cover Sheet of Civil Plans
- Driver’s license of applicant AND/OR Property Owner Authorization form
- Copy of water meter receipt (For new commercial construction only)
- Contractor’s State License, photo ID of State License Holder and Business License
- Sub-Contractor Affidavits for all trades with State License and Business License
- If property is on Septic, additional documents may be required by the Environmental Protection Division.
Sign Permit
In order to process your request for a commercial building permit we will need you to provide the following information:
- Sign permit application
- For free standing signs, a survey or engineered site plan of the property showing the proposed sign, any existing freestanding signs, and existing buildings and other improvements.
- For wall signs, a drawing to scale showing the proposed sign and all other wall signs, with dimensions, on the subject façade.
- A sealed engineering drawing of the sign design for all freestanding signs and electrical wall signs, and a sealed engineering drawing of the sign footing for freestanding signs.
- Sign Contractor’s State License, photo ID of State License Holder and Business License
- Sub-Contractor Affidavits with State License and Business License (if adding electric)
- Driver’s license of applicant AND/OR Property Owner Authorization form
Utility Permit
Please note that all trades( electrical, HVAC, plumbing, etc.) require a permit.
In order to process your request for a utility permit we will need you to provide the following information:
- Utility permit application.
- Contractor’s State License, photo ID of State License Holder and Business License.
- Sub-Contractor Affidavits for all trades with State License and Business License.
- If work is being done by Homeowner, Homeowner Affidavit and photo ID is required.
Building Inspections:
NOTICE: If you need to schedule a building inspection for a permit issued after Dec. 12, 2022, please use the Accela Citizen Access Portal to schedule your inspection. Need assistance? Check out our step-by-step guide to schedule your inspection.
Building Inspections is serving customers through both in-person and prescheduled appointments. While telephone and email operations are still operating as normal, in-person meetings and business may be conducted by appointment only between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm. To schedule an appointment at the Government Center, please call 770-535-8288 and press 3 to be connected with the Planning and Development departments. For general questions or for urgent matters regarding existing permits and building inspections please email John Estelle or Daisy Leyva.
Development Review:
Development Review is operating on schedule. Please contact Lauren Brandao, Development Review Coordinator, to submit your plans digitally, schedule a virtual meeting, or if you have any questions about the review process.
Plat Review:
The plat review process has been modified to allow the continued submittal and review of plats through digital copies. Please email a digital copy of the plat to plats@hallcounty.org along with the completed forms (Plat Review Packet). The PDF will be reviewed by Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Health. After the initial review, comments will be provided to the surveyor or provided contact person indicating what revisions will be necessary in order to approve the plat. Upon request of hard copies from the Planning Department, the surveyor or applicant may then drop off at least 3 full-size paper copies of the plat for final approval stamps. Please note that plats will not be stamped at the time of drop off.
The plat review process typically takes between 3-4 weeks.
Special Use, Variance, and Rezoning Requests:
New applications for special use permits, variances, and rezoning requests are being accepted both digitally and in person. Please contact Katie L. Greenway, klgreenway@hallcounty.org, to schedule a pre-application meeting. Due to the nature of these requests, incomplete applications will not be processed. You will find a link to learn more about this process in the navigation menu on the left of this page, under the Current and Long Range Planning heading.
Finally, please feel free to contact planning@hallcounty.org with any additional questions.
About the Department
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.
Contact Us
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Randi Doveton
Director of Planning and Development
Ellis Still
Assistant Director of Planning and Development
Physical Address2875 Browns Bridge Road
3rd Floor
Gainesville, GA 30504
Mailing Address
P.O. Drawer 1435
Gainesville, GA 30503
Phone: 770-531-6809
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Have a question for us? Submit the Planning Inquiry form.
Email Planning for contact information for the Development Services Open Records custodian.