Administrative overview · FIPS 13299
Ware County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Ware County Planning & Codes Department
For a project in or near Ware County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
912-490-4379
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
305 Oak Street, Suite 157, Waycross, GA 31501
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; phone service 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Review expectation
N/A in the current 2026 materials. An older county procedure states septic processing can take up to 3 business days and building-plan review up to 10 business days.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Ware County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Ware County Planning & Codes Department is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 912-490-4379.
How long might review take?
N/A in the current 2026 materials. An older county procedure states septic processing can take up to 3 business days and building-plan review up to 10 business days.
How are inspections scheduled?
The official iWorQ permit portal lets applicants search by permit number, contractor or parcel number, upload files, request inspections, pay fees and print approved permits. Contact Planning & Codes at 912-490-4379 for inspection scheduling and permit questions.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
2026 Georgia mandatory building codes apply: 2024 IBC, IRC, IFGC, IMC, IPC and ISPSC with Georgia amendments; 2024 IFC as adopted by the Safety Fire Commissioner; 2023 NEC with 2026 Georgia amendments; 2015 IECC with applicable Georgia supplements/amendments; plus applicable Ware County zoning and local amendments. N/A. The current county page lists separate permits/forms for residential, commercial or metal storage buildings, demolition, electrical, septic, manufactured homes, plumbing and mechanical work but does not state a general cosmetic-work exemption.