Jim Smith
Director
1 Broad Street, Suite 002
Ellijay, GA 30540
706-635-3406
706-635-3405 fax
Karen Henson
Assistant Director
khenson@gilmercounty-ga.gov
Office Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
Planning & Zoning
The Planning & Zoning office is charged with directing the growth of Gilmer County while striving to maintain its rural character. Beginning with the establishment of zoning and land use regulations in 2005, planning and development has been actively involved in pursuing a common vision for the county.
OUR MISSION: “To provide the residents of Gilmer County with the technical guidance and planning expertise in continuing with the rural traditions of our past with an eye towards our future.”
Department Functions
- Comprehensive Planning
- Zoning and Variance Case Administration
- Interpretation, Enforcement and Amendments of Zoning Ordinance, Overlay District Regulations
- Permitting of Signage and Advertising
- Review and Approval of Land Subdivision Plats
- Permitting and inspecting all phases of residential and commercial construction including new construction, additions, and accessory structures
- Issuing Business Licenses for Gilmer County
Oversight & Documents
Except as specifically excluded from the provisions of Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances of Gilmer County, Georgia, it is unlawful for any person to post, display, substantially change, or erect a sign in the county without first having obtained a sign permit.
Applications for sign permits should be filed by the sign owner or owner’s agent with the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning.
It is the intent of the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners to enforce the latest edition of each technical code, as adopted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Building Permits must be obtained prior to beginning construction or excavation. Applications for building permits should be filed at the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning and accompanied by the required fees and executed copies of all necessary affidavits.
- Building Permit Fee Schedule (beinig updated, please check back)
- Steps / Checklist to Obtain a Building Permit
- Application – Site Location Permit
- Application – Building Permit
- Application – Driveway Permit
- Application – Meter Base
- Footing Standard
- Application – In-Ground Pool Permit
- Pool Fencing, Barrier, Alarms Code regulations
- Affidavit – Georgia State Energy Code for Buildings
- Affidavit – Mechanical Ventilation for Residential Buildings
- Affidavit – Subcontractor
- Affidavit – Subcontractor Release
- Permit – Authorized Agent
- License – Qualifying Agent
- 911 Address Inquiry and Resolution Work Order
The Business License Office for the unincorporated areas of Gilmer County is also located at the Department of Planning and Zoning.
A one-time administrative fee for new or lapsed business license applicants is $50. Other license fees are assessed each year based on the number of persons employed:
1-10 Employees: $75
11-50 Employees: $100
51-75 Employees: $125
76-150 Employees: $175
151 Employees or more: $225
The fee is not prorated. All licenses expire on December 31st of the current year.
Draft of the 2025-2029 Joint Comprehensive Plan (opens to external website in new tab)
for Gilmer County and the cities of Ellijay and East Ellijay
2020-2024 Joint Comprehensive Plan – 15.5 Mb (opens to external website in new tab)
for Gilmer County and the cities of Ellijay and East Ellijay
Section 70-39 of the Code of Ordinances, Gilmer County, Georgia states that a permit must be obtained from the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning before any land-disturbing activity is begun. Applications for this permit must include five copies of the applicant’s erosion and sedimentation control plan, which must conform to Section 70-38(b) and (c) of the Code of Ordinances of Gilmer County, Georgia.
Applications for a land-disturbing permit within the State of Georgia-mandated 50 foot stream buffer (Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975, as amended, O.C.G.A. 12-7-6(b)(15)) require that an Application for a 50 Foot Vegetative Buffer Encroachment be submitted to the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Unit of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
All construction in Gilmer County must adhere to Chapter 74, Floods, of the Code of Gilmer County, Georgia. Prior to building within a floodplain, a permit must be obtained from the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning.
Gilmer County’s Land Use and Development Ordinances are enforced by the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning.
A complete list of Gilmer County’s agricultural, commercial and residential land use districts, along with their permitted uses is available from the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning.
Applications for amendments to the Land Use Ordinance or Development Ordinance of Gilmer County, Georgia should be filed with the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning. Applications must be accompanied by a legal description of the property and a survey plan of the property, a letter of intent describing the proposed use, an application form and a filing fee. A public hearing will be held on each application within 60 days of receipt of completed application and signage will be placed on the property advertising the public hearing. Following the public hearing, the Gilmer County Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners of approval, approval with conditions or denial of the application for amendment within 45 days after the hearing.
Please contact the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning for information on fees associated with rezoning, conditional use and variance applications.
Chapter 78, Section 35 of the Code of Ordinances of Gilmer County, Georgia states that every person holding title to or possessing a mobile home/manufactured home in Gilmer County must report the location to the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning, and obtain a location decal no later than May 1 of each year.
A Mobile Home Permit is required to move a mobile home/manufactured home into or within the county.
Those portions of Gilmer County 2,200 feet or more above sea level with a percentage slope of at least 25% for at least 500 feet horizontally, including the crests, summits and ridge tops which lie at elevations higher are designated as mountain protection districts.
Applications for a land-disturbing permit within these districts must include a site plan that meets the specifications detailed in Section 70-80 of the Gilmer County Code. For further information on Gilmer County’s Mountain Protection Ordinance, please contact the Gilmer County Department of Planning and Zoning.