Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Chatham County, Georgia

Quick Answer: Most standalone structured cabling installations in Chatham County do not require a building permit when performed by a licensed Georgia Low Voltage Contractor. Permits may be required for projects involving structural modifications, new construction, or work affecting fire-rated assemblies. All installers must hold a valid Georgia Low Voltage Contractor license (LVG, LVT, or LVU) and work must comply with NEC Article 800.

When Are Permits Required?

Chatham County follows Georgia state building codes and the National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 800 for communications circuits. Permit requirements depend on the scope of your structured cabling project:

Permits Typically Required

• New commercial construction: Data cabling as part of new building projects
• Major renovations: Projects involving structural changes or significant electrical work
• Pathway installations: New conduit runs, cable trays, or penetrations through fire-rated assemblies
• Telecommunications rooms: Building new MDF/IDF rooms or significant electrical modifications
• Riser installations: Vertical cable runs through multiple floors requiring firestopping

Permits Typically Not Required

• Installing network drops in existing pathways
• Cable pulling through existing conduit or cable trays
• Patch panel and rack installations in existing telecom rooms
• Adding data outlets to existing wall boxes
• Replacing or upgrading existing cabling infrastructure

Georgia Contractor Licensing Requirements

All structured cabling work in Chatham County requires a valid Georgia Low Voltage Contractor license issued by the Georgia Secretary of State. This applies regardless of whether local permits are required.

Applicable License Types for Structured Cabling

License Class	Designation	Structured Cabling Scope
Unrestricted	LVU	All structured cabling work with no limitations
Telecommunications	LVT	Voice, data, and telecommunications cabling systems
General	LVG	Distribution wiring including LAN systems and data cabling

Key Distinction: The LVG license covers "distribution wiring for alarm systems and telecommunications systems including local area network systems," making it applicable to most structured cabling projects.

Voltage Limitation: Low voltage contractors cannot perform work on systems exceeding 50 volts AC or 30 volts DC. A licensed electrical contractor is required for dedicated circuits and high-voltage connections.

For complete state licensing requirements, see our Georgia Low Voltage Contractor License Guide.

Chatham County Permit Application Process

When permits are required for structured cabling projects:

Step 1: Contractor Registration

Before applying for permits, contractors must provide:

• Valid Georgia Low Voltage Contractor license
• Local Business Tax Certification
• Government-issued identification

Step 2: Submit Application

Submit completed applications with all attachments to:

Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services
1117 Eisenhower Drive
Savannah, GA 31406
Phone: 912-790-1519

Applications accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Applications cannot be submitted by fax or email.

Step 3: Plan Review

For commercial projects, submit plans showing:

• Cable pathway layouts and riser diagrams
• Telecommunications room locations
• Fire stopping details for penetrations
• Equipment specifications

Step 4: Inspections

Schedule inspections through the Building Safety department. Structured cabling inspections verify:

• NEC Article 800 compliance
• Proper fire stopping at penetrations
• Cable separation from power conductors
• Grounding and bonding per NEC requirements

Contact Information

Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services
1117 Eisenhower Drive
Savannah, GA 31406
Phone: 912-790-1519
Website: buildingsafety.chathamcountyga.gov

Fees and Timeline

Service	Estimated Cost	Timeline
Low Voltage Permit	$50-$150	3-5 business days
Commercial Building Permit	Based on project value	5-15 business days
Re-inspection Fee	$30.00	Next available day
Plan Review	Varies by scope	Included in permit time

NEC Article 800 Compliance Requirements

Georgia enforces the NEC for all communications circuit installations. Key Article 800 requirements for structured cabling in Chatham County include:

Cable Ratings by Location

• CMP (Plenum): Required in ducts, plenums, and air handling spaces
• CMR (Riser): Required for vertical runs between floors
• CM (General): Acceptable for general-purpose horizontal runs

Separation Requirements

Communications cables must be separated from power conductors by at least 2 inches or use proper barriers. Do not attach communications cables to power system infrastructure.

Fire Stopping

All penetrations through fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings must be firestopped using materials listed for the specific wiring methods and construction types. Maintain the fire-resistance rating of all fire-rated assemblies.

Abandoned Cable Removal

Per NEC requirements, remove the accessible portion of communications cables that do not terminate at equipment and are not identified for future use with a tag. This limits combustible materials in buildings.

Grounding Requirements

Communications system grounding must comply with NEC 250.70. If installing a separate grounding electrode, bond it to the building's power grounding electrode system with a minimum 6 AWG conductor.

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Structured Cabling

Home networking and data cabling in Chatham County typically requires no permit for:

• Running Cat5e/Cat6 cables through existing walls
• Installing network outlets and patch panels
• Home theater and distributed audio wiring
• Smart home device networking

Permits may be required when work involves opening walls in new construction or modifications to the electrical system.

Commercial Structured Cabling

Commercial projects have additional requirements:

• Plan submission: Required for new construction and major renovations
• Fire code compliance: Plenum-rated cable in air handling spaces
• Workmanship standards: Neat and workmanlike installation per NEC
• Cable support: Proper support by building structural components

City of Savannah vs. Unincorporated Areas

Permit requirements differ depending on location:

• City of Savannah: Contact Savannah Development Services for city-specific requirements
• Unincorporated Chatham County: Contact Chatham County Building Safety & Regulatory Services
• Other municipalities: Pooler, Garden City, Bloomingdale, and Tybee Island have their own permitting processes

Pro Tips from Contractors

• Verify jurisdiction: Determine whether your project is in the City of Savannah or unincorporated Chatham County before applying
• Site survey first: Perform a detailed site survey to identify cable permits needed, as some Savannah-area contractors recommend
• Document pathways: Photograph existing conditions before work begins, especially in older buildings
• Fire stopping records: Document all firestop installations with photos and material specifications
• Cable certification: Provide cable testing and certification documentation for commercial clients
• Abandoned cable compliance: Tag cables for future use or remove abandoned cables per NEC requirements

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when structured cabling projects hit permits in Chatham County before they reach bid boards?

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Georgia and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.

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Related Guides

• Georgia Low Voltage Contractor License Requirements
• Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Savannah, Georgia
• Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Atlanta, Georgia