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(a) Every county and municipality that requires a permit for the installation, replacement, or improvement of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing, or electrical equipment or systems within a building or structure within its jurisdiction shall ensure that the permit process of such county or municipality conforms to the provisions of this Code section.
(b) In addition to applying in person for a heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing, or electrical permit, every county and municipality subject to this Code section shall provide a method by which an applicant can apply for a heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing, or electrical permit by mail or through electronic media without having to apply in person. Acceptable electronic media includes, but is not limited to, facsimile transmission. E-mail and Internet websites also may be used at the discretion of the county or municipality. Once the application is received, the county or municipality may approve or disapprove the permit according to the rules, regulations, and ordinances of the county or municipality. A county or municipality may require the applicant to appear in person when such applicant applies for a permit for the first time with such county or municipality. Applications sent by mail shall include payment by check or money order for any fees, unless the amount of such fees is not available from the county or municipality. Applicants using the mail to make applications shall bear the responsibility of any delays in the county or municipality receiving such applications.
(c) In addition to paying by cash any fees for the issuance of a heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing, or electrical permit, every county and municipality subject to this Code section may provide for the payment of such fees through the use of one or more of the following methods and may add an additional fee, not to exceed the actual cost to the county or municipality, for the cost of providing for and processing such payments:
(1) By use of a check;
(2) By use of a money order;
(3) By use of a major credit card;
(4) By use of a bank draft or wire transfer;
(5) By the establishment of an account by the applicant with the county or municipality which the county or municipality can debit for the payment of the fees; or
(6) By the establishment of a delayed or deferred payment method, to be established by a written policy of the county or municipality, by which the applicant can mail or deliver payment for the fees within a reasonable period of time.
(d) If an applicant’s payment of the fee is dishonored by the financial institution on which it is drawn, the county or municipality shall notify the applicant and give the applicant a reasonable period of time, which shall be not less than three business days after receiving notice, to pay the fee, including any interest and penalties, and any additional fees or charges incurred by the county or municipality as a result of the dishonor. If the applicant does not pay the fee within the specified period of time, the county or municipality may invalidate the permit and assess fines and other penalties on the applicant. Such invalidation shall result in the permit being a total nullity and may subject the applicant to all penalties for failure to have a proper permit for the construction, renovation, installation, replacement, or improvement of the building or structure. In addition, if an applicant’s payment of the delayed or deferred permit fees is dishonored, the county or municipality may revoke or suspend the applicant’s authority to utilize such payment method in future applications.
(e) Nothing in this Code section shall require any county or municipality to establish a system of permits for the construction, renovation, installation, replacement, or improvement of a building or structure.
(f) Nothing in this Code section shall require any county or municipality to accept plans or specifications by mail or electronic means. If a county or municipality chooses to accept plans or specifications by mail or electronic means, the county or municipality may specify the format in which such plans or specifications shall be submitted. Failure to submit such plans or specifications in the format required by the county or municipality shall be a basis for rejecting such plans or specifications by the county or municipality. History. Code 1981, § 48-13-29, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 772, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. 60, § 48/HB 95; Ga. L. 2017, p. 774, § 48/HB 323.