Chatham County adopts state building codes; commissioners press for stronger growth controls and enforcement

The Chatham County Board of Commissioners considered and moved to adopt the new Georgia building codes and associated amendments as recommended by the Department of Community Affairs and the State Codes Advisory Committee.

Marcus Lawson of Building Safety and Regulatory Services briefed the board on the 2026 mandatory state code updates — covering the National Electrical Code, residential and commercial building codes, fuel gas, fire, mechanical and plumbing codes, and pool-and-spa regulations. Lawson said adoption by the county maintains consistency with state safety and accessibility standards.

Commissioners used the adoption conversation to press for local measures to guide growth in unincorporated areas like Pooler and Port Wentworth. Dean Kicklider urged the board to study buffer, tree, setback and signage ordinances and to consider collaborating with other jurisdictions’ planning bodies to design higher visual standards for new development. Board members stressed the need to enforce zoning conditions imposed at the Metropolitan Planning Commission and to strengthen the county’s blight ordinance; staff said the county attorney and building safety will return with recommended blight-ordinance updates that may require additional revenue.

Lawson and staff noted that changes address wind design criteria, energy efficiency, and ADA-related updates among other technical standards. When asked, staff said the county’s adoption would take effect upon formal board adoption.

What’s next: staff will schedule follow-ups on enforcement strategy, the blight-ordinance update and proposed meetings with municipalities to coordinate development standards.