The Planning Department prepares the fees through staff time calculation and researching surrounding municipalities. The Mayor and City Council take into consideration the fee recommendations, come to a consensus on the amounts, and adopt the fees annually.

View the Fiscal Year 2025 Planning & Development Fee Schedule here.

• Building (Residential and Commercial)
• Accessory structures, such as carports, detached garages (with or without dwelling unit), sheds, etc.
• Trade (plumbing, HVAC, electric)
• Retaining wall
• Fence
• Deck/Porch
• Building additions/remodels
• Sign
• Swimming pool
• Demolition/blasting
• Driveway/curb cut
• Dumpster Enclosures
• Land disturbance
• Wastewater discharge

Contact the Planning Department at (770) 867-3510 or send us an email if you have any questions.

If the tree is on your private property, you do not need a permit to remove a tree.

The City and GDOT are the only entities allowed to remove trees from the right-of-way. If you are unsure if a tree is within the right-of-way, please contact Winder Public Works at (770) 867-3106 or send them an email.

No, plans may be hand-drawn, but drawn to scale and must include enough detail so that the building inspector completing the plan review has a good understanding of the scope of the project and that it will be constructed in compliance with the building codes. Remember to include a site location plan to ensure compliance with the zoning district building setbacks.

Other documents required include:

• Letter of Intent
• Property Owner Authorization Form (notarized)
• Copy of Recorded Plat

Please see Sec. 3-15 of the City of Winder's Code of Ordinances Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.

No. The Planning Department has switched over to strictly online applications.

Ways to Apply

• Apply for a Permit
  
  
• Apply for an OTC (business license)
  
  
• Visit the Planning Department at 138 Sweetwater Trail, Winder, GA 30680 for assistance.

You can apply for a permit online through our Planning & Development Services department website.

If you need assistance, you can stop by 138 Sweetwater Trail, Winder, GA 30680. 

• The City requires a building permit. Apply for a permit here
  
  
• The City requires a Homeowner's Affidavit, which can be filled out here.
  
  
• You must live in the house for a minimum of two years, per OCGA 43-41-17.

A variance is a request for relief to regulations found within the City of Winder’s Code of Ordinances Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance whenever there is a hardship in meeting the Code.

Please see Sec. 11-8 of the City of Winder’s Code of Ordinances Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for the hardship criteria.

Schedule a complimentary meeting with City Staff to discuss if a variance is needed and what will be required.

If you would like to apply, complete the online application and supply the required documents. The request will be reviewed by City Staff and then scheduled for a Public Hearing and vote before the City of Winder’s City Council. 

• All new builds require a building permit.
  
  
• Modifying or adding to an existing structure.
  
  
• A building permit is not required for interior cosmetic changes for the following: new flooring, interior painting, installation of new countertops, wall paneling, crown molding, baseboard, and casing.

To protect citizens from neighboring properties starting a prohibited business. Yard sales are only allowed on the same parcel/lot for a max of 3 days for 3 sales per a 12-month period.

For more information, please see Chapter 13, Sec. 13-161.

A yard sale permit is free; you can apply online.

Yes. However, a business license is required for a home occupation. You will need to apply for a Home Occupation License with the City of Winder.

Please see Sec. 4-6 for rules and regulations.

View and submit the Home Occupation Application here.

You can apply online via the Planning & Development Services website.

If you'd like assistance, stop by 138 Sweetwater Trail, Winder, GA 30680. 

The fee is determined by the number of employees or professionals.

Please see Chapter 13, Sec. 13-4 and Sec. 13-8 of the City of Winder’s Code of Ordinances for more details.

Please see our Business License Approval Process for more information.

Businesses must be inspected by the Winder Fire Prevention Department prior to opening.

• Business Registrations will not be issued without Fire Department clearance.
  
  
• Businesses will be inspected by Code Enforcement within and any outstanding violations must be resolved prior to opening.
  
  
• Inspections may require up to five (5) business days.
  
  

Other inspections may be required depending on the type of business (e.g. FOG inspection, Health Department, etc.).

Depending on the zoning district of the business location, certain types of businesses could require a Conditional Use approved by City Council. Please contact the Planning Department at (770) 867-3510 or send us an email to determine if this will be required. 

All business licenses expire December 31st of each year and need to be renewed before April 15th of the following year to avoid penalties and interest, and possible fines. See Sec. 13-1, 13-3, 13-4, & 13-11 for business license requirements.

Alcohol licenses must be renewed by November 15th of each year to continue serving alcohol the following year. See Sec. 3-17 & 3-18 for renewal and expiration details.

Yes, as Temporary Sign Permits. Please see Sec. 10-29 and Sec. 10-30.

Apply for a Temporary Sign

No, however, door signs cannot exceed 2 square feet and you cannot have more than one sign per door.

Please see Sec. 10-14 for a list of signs which require no permit and Sec 10-14.H. for more door sign regulations.

No, however, window signs cannot cover or obscure more than 20% of each window.

Please see Sec. 10-14 for a list of signs which require no permit and Sec. 10-15.G for more window sign regulations

In most cases, yes.  However, there are some signs which do not require a permit.

Please see Article X, Sec. 10-14 for a list of exempt signs.

Apply for a Sign Permit online.

The quantity depends on the zoning district your business, development, or subject site is located within.

Please see Sec. 10-23 for a list of maximum allowable signs.

Permanent signs: $100 plus $1 per square foot.

Temporary signs: $10

View the Fee Schedule for up-to-date fees.

It is a violation of the sign regulations to post a sign without first obtaining a permit.

The penalties may include removing the sign at your own cost, and/or suspension of your business license.

To increase the allowed number of signs, you would need to apply for a Variance and seek approval from Winder City Council.

You must show proof of hardship. Please see Sec. 11-8 for zoning variance criteria and Sec. 10-11 for sign variance criteria.

Requirements: 

• Application
• Application Fee
• Property Owner Authorization Form (notarized)
• Sign company's business license and contact information
• Certificate of Liability Insurance (COI) - Sign company listed as the Insured and the applicant's business listed as the Certificate Holder
• Site Plan - Scaled drawing showing the street address of the property, proposed location of sign on property, distance of the proposed sign from the property’s boundaries, and all existing structures on the site
• Scaled drawings of each sign seeking a permit
• Photographs of each sign currently on the site
• Wall signs - Submit one set of building elevations showing dimensions of wall, current and proposed signage, and the dimensions of the signs
• Free standing signs - Drawings must be stamped by an engineer
• Engineered stamped plans are required for signs larger than 30 sq. ft.
• Illumination - If the proposed sign has an electrical connection, you will need to obtain a trade permit as well. It's recommended to have the Licensed Electrician complete the Trade Permit Application.

Master Sign Plans are required for subdivisions, multifamily development, and multi-tenant development. Please see Sec. 10-34 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.

Please see Sec. 10-8 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for more information on requirements.

The permissible size depends on the zoning district your business, development, or subject site is located within.

Please see Sec. 10-23 for a list of allowable sign dimensions.

The type depends on the zoning district your business, development, or subject site is located within.

Please see Sec. 10-23 for a list of allowable signs.

Advertising signs for a permitted yard sale may be displayed on the property hosting the sale or on other properties if permission from the property owner is obtained. Signs are strictly prohibited from being placed in any right-of-way, on utility poles, story signs, or on properties without the owner’s consent. Noncompliance with City Ordinances regarding sign placement may lead to the issuance of a Notice of Violation (see Code Enforcement FAQs section for more details). Additionally, any signs that violate these regulations will be removed and discarded.

The same is required for election signs. 

If you are unsure where the right-of-way is at your property, please contact the Planning Department at (770) 867-3510 or send us an email.

Yes.

Certificate of Appropriateness fee for signs is $100.

Certificate of Appropriateness fee for buildings is $300.

Yes, you will need to complete a Certificate of Appropriateness and be scheduled for a Historic Preservation Commission Meeting.

Please see Chapter 19, Article III: Historic and Cultural Preservation and the Historic Preservation Commission page for more information.

Contact the Planning Department at (770) 867-3510 or send us an email to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Livestock to include, but not limited to, chickens and roosters is NOT permitted in residential or commercial zoning districts.

Please see Chapter 16, Sec. 16-81.3(19) for more information.

If a building inspection is requested, the City has two (2) business days to complete the inspection.

If a Code Enforcement inspection is requested, the City has five (5) business days to complete the inspection.

For inquiries about the status of an inspection, please contact the Planning Department at (770) 867-3510 or send us an email.

A Notice of Violation (NOV) notifies the recipient that the City believes the recipient committed one o more violations of the City Ordinance and provides instructions for coming into compliance. No further action is taken if the recipient comes into compliance within the stated timeframe.

A Citation is issued when a City Ordinance violation remains in noncompliance and requires the recipient to appear in court.