In 2019, the General Assembly passed, and Governor Kemp signed into law, HB493, the Private Permitting Review and Inspection Act. This legislation resulted from a collaborative effort between the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, the state legislature, industry stakeholders, and a focus group of municipal officials and development professionals. The law establishes procedures for alternative plan reviews, permitting, and inspections by private providers to streamline local development regulations.

To assist applicants using third-party processes for permitting, plan review, and inspections, GMA has developed resources, including a model ordinance, a prequalification manual, and an application for third-party plan reviewers and inspectors. Additionally, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GMA created a Q&A document to address cities' concerns about how the Governor’s Executive Orders may affect their plan review and inspection processes. These materials aim to ensure consistency across jurisdictions while allowing flexibility to accommodate the unique needs of each municipality.

This publication is for general informational purposes only. While some of the information contained in this publication is about legal issues, it is not and should not be treated as legal advice. You should consult with your legal counsel before taking action based on the information contained in these resources.