Vanessa Simmons, permit manager for Columbia County, walked viewers through the county’s permitting process and previewed a new online permitting system the office plans to roll out.

"If you're doing any kind of projects that is different or aside from cosmetic work, they require a permit," Simmons said, noting the office follows the 2018 International Residential Code. She listed common permit types as new single‑family homes, reroofs, HVAC changeouts and water‑heater replacements.

The office requires applicants to provide a plan or a detailed scope of work so plan reviewers can determine whether proposed work meets code. "As long as I know our plan reviewers know what is being constructed or what's, what work is being done, then that will help them determine if it's ... approved or not," Simmons said. Once a permit is approved and issued, the permit moves to the inspections phase.

Simmons described how inspections are scheduled and staged: residents and contractors can request inspections by email or through the county’s citizen self‑service portal using the permit number, address and requested inspection type. She said inspections are leveled so the initial Level 1 inspection must pass before subsequent stages proceed, and a passing final inspection closes out the project.

On digital services, Simmons previewed a new system called Clarity, developed with the county’s information technology team. She said the system will allow residents to apply for permits, schedule inspections, and access guidance online in a more user‑friendly format than the current tools. The county will announce the launch and publish additional guidance near the rollout.

Simmons also advised homeowners to verify contractors and to ask questions before or during projects. "I'd say it'd be the one thing for homeowners to always ask questions," she said, adding the office can verify whether a contractor is licensed and whether a permit has been pulled.

The permit office said permit packets and checklists are available on the Columbia County website to guide applicants on required documentation for different permit types. No formal policy changes or votes were taken during the recorded segment; the episode served to inform residents about process, options for submitting applications, and upcoming digital tools.