Frequently Asked Questions

First: Applications are filed with the Barrow County Probate Court Monday through Friday 9 am to noon

Second: Immediately upon filing your application you must go to the Barrow County Jail, see note. (located directly behind the Barrow County Courthouse) to be fingerprinted.

Note: The Barrow County Jail will not allow children in the back to be fingerprinted so be sure and make arrangements.

$30 payable to Barrow County Probate Court (Cash or Credit Card)

$48 payable to Barrow County Jail

For U.S. Citizens

If you are a United States citizen, you must provide one of the following with your correct name, address, and date of birth:

• A Georgia Driver's license; or
• Georgia state-issued picture I.D. card

If Not a United States Citizen

If you are not a United States Citizen, you must provide proof of your residency (Consecutive 90 days prior to your application date) and one of the following:

• A valid Permanent Resident card; or
• A Resident Alien card and a Georgia Hunting License

Notify the Barrow County Probate Court within 48 hours at 770-307-3045.

The Replacement fee is $6.

You will need a permit for any structural change in an existing structure and any building/structures being added to the property.

For any questions about your septic tank, please contact Barrow County Environmental Health at 770-307-3502. Their office is located at 63 Lee Street, Winder, GA 30680.

Barrow County does not require a fence permit.

Please visit our Unified Development Code to review our code standards for fencing. 

Our typically turn time for permit reviews is 2-3 weeks. 

Please log into the Citizen Self Service Portal to receive updates on the status of your application. 

Development Permits require comments from several different departments, so it is dependent upon the workload of each department. The typical timeline for the departments is listed below, please note these turn times are not guaranteed.

• Planning Department - Approximately 2 weeks per submittal
• Transportation Department - Approximately 4-6 weeks per submittal
• Stormwater Department - Approximately 2-3 weeks per submittal
• Fire Marshal - contact directly
• Water - contact directly

For the most accurate updates on your application, please log into your Citizen Self Service Portal and select the 'My Work' tab to see the status of your application. 

Comments will be sent to you as soon as Planning & Development has received them via your Citizen Self Service Portal. If you have not received notification, then there are no new comments or updates for your project that week.

You will need to apply for and receive your State Certification before any Local License can be issued.

All business licenses issued by Barrow County expire December 31. We apply a late penalty fee of 10% after January 15. 

If your license has not been renewed by April 15 of that year, a flat $200.00 late penalty fee will be applied.

Please confirm that an accurate email is link to your Citizen Self Service Portal account to receive friendly reminders when your license will need to be renewed. 

Business licenses can be applied for on our Citizens Self Service Portal

You will need to complete the following forms located on our Licensing page or in the hyperlink below:

• Private Employer Affidavit
• O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1(e)(2) AFFIDAVIT
• Home Office Requirements Form (only required if business will operate out of your home)
• Copy of any State license if applicable to your trade. (ex: plumbing license, nursing license, contractor license, etc.)

Any additional documentation can be attached to your New Business License application on the 'Attachments' tab in the Citizens Self Service Portal. 

You will receive a notification from the Portal once we review your application to confirm license fees. 

You will need the following forms located on our Licensing page:

• Business License - Renewal
• Business License Renewal Attachment (this form will need to be notarized)
• Copy of any State license if applicable to your trade. (Ex: Plumbing license, nursing license, contractor license, etc.)

You will receive an email once we review your renewal to confirm renewal fees and form of payment.