Macon-Bibb County

MACON-BIBB COUNTY BOARD OF APPEALS

The Macon-Bibb County Board of Appeals has the authority to hear and decide appeals of orders and decisions of the Chief Building Official relative to the application and interpretations of the code. However, the Macon-Bibb County Board of Appeals does not have the authority to waive the prescriptive requirements of the adopted codes and standards.

The Macon-Bibb County Board of Appeals is intended as a technical body, with the authority to hear and decide on petitions made to the board that appeal the decisions of the Chief Building Official. Until the Chief Building Official has rendered his or her determination, the issue is not subject to board review or action.

MACON-BIBB COUNTY BOARD OF APPEALS PROCESS

Through municipal ordinance, the Chief Building Official may: 1) interpret or provide clarification of the adopted codes and standards, 2) grant alternate methods of design, and 3) grant the use of alternate materials. The applicant has the vested authority to disagree with the findings generated by the Chief Building Official and appeal the decision to the Macon-Bibb County Board of Appeals. The ruling of the Macon-Bibb County Board of Appeals is binding on the applicant and the Chief Building Official.

As an example: An applicant seeks to use a new construction material, which offers an equivalency to those prescribed by code. This petition is made to the Chief Building Official, which then issues a written opinion that the requested material is not allowed since it fails to meet the intent of the adopted code. The applicant seeking the use of the alternate material may then petition the Macon-Bibb County Board of Appeals for their binding decision.

The Board of Appeals process is like a legal proceeding, with both the Chief Building Official and appeal petitioner submitting evidence and arguing their case in front of the Macon-Bibb County Board of Appeals.

For a step by step explanation of the process, please see the attached flow chart.

APPLICATIONS TO THE MACON-BIBB COUNTY BOARD OF APPEALS

Once the Chief Building Official has rendered a written determination, the petitioner may seek redress through the Macon-Bibb County Board of Appeals.

The petitioner must provide the following:

1. Complete the writable PDF application titled Macon-Bibb County Board of Appeals Petition. This applicable is available by sending an email to buildingpermits@maconbibb.us.
2. Provide a copy of the written findings from the Chief Building Official
3. Any additional information supporting your argument, which must be submitted as a PDF.

Once you submit the packet of information via email, a date and time for the Board of Appeals hearing will be set and the petitioner will be contacted.

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