Franklin County

Sets property values, takes real and personal property returns (Jan 1–Apr 1) and approves exemptions. Open Mon–Fri, 8:00–4:30. You have 45 days from the date on your assessment notice to appeal.

The Assessor's official site. Use it to look up owner, value, sales and parcel maps for any Franklin County property. 2026 assessment notices were mailed July 2, 2026, and a mailing-address change needs a signed Change of Address form.

Bills and collects property taxes and also runs the tag office. Open Mon–Fri, 8:00–4:30. County taxes are normally due by November 15, and 1%-per-month interest starts after that.

The county's official bill search and payment portal. You can search by owner name, bill number or map number.

Records deeds, liens and plats and collects transfer tax. Open Mon–Fri, 8:00–5:00. You'll need a copy of your recorded plat or deed for septic and building permits.

The statewide online index of deeds, liens and plats, Franklin County included. Viewing images needs a GSCCCA account, and some searches charge a fee.

Royston bills its own city property tax separately from the county. The 2025 city bills went out in December and were due February 12. Call City Hall for delinquent amounts.

Standard homestead is a $2,000 reduction from assessed value. Once granted it renews automatically until you sell or move. The Board of Tax Assessors makes the final eligibility decision, and you can appeal a denial.

Under the county's local exemption, owners 65 or older on January 1 can get a $20,000 exemption from all taxes on the homestead. State senior, disabled-veteran and surviving-spouse exemptions are listed on the same page. Bring proof of age and income when you apply.

On February 14, 2025, the Board of Commissioners voted to opt out of the statewide HB 581 floating (inflation-capped) homestead exemption. The minutes give budget reasons. Ask the Assessor whether the school district or your city made a separate choice.

Franklin Springs voters will decide on November 3, 2026 whether owners 65 and older get a full exemption from city property taxes for municipal purposes. It applies only to the city portion of the bill.

The state's explanation of every statewide homestead exemption: standard, senior, disabled veteran, surviving spouse and floating inflation-proof. Use it alongside the county page to see what you qualify for.

A groundwater system with about 261 miles of line and about 2,034 customers. Open Mon–Fri, 8:00–4:30. You can sign up for e-bills and bank draft, and 2026 rates and a water user agreement are posted on the page.

The county water system's yearly water-quality report (CCR). Check it if you're on county water.

Bills go out on the 1st, are due 14 days later and are billed in arrears. A $1.49/month leak-protection fee is added unless you opt out at City Hall. Paying online at lavoniaga.gov is free.

Royston treats water from the North Fork of the Broad River plus two deep wells, and it runs its own wastewater plant. Report leaks to City Hall, or after hours to Royston PD at (706) 245-6195. For water-quality questions, call the treatment plant at (706) 967-4548.

2026 inside-city residential rates are $6.00 per 1,000 gallons of water and $9.50 per 1,000 gallons of sewer, plus availability fees. The homeowner deposit is $100 for water and $50 for sewer. A development moratorium tied to water availability was repealed July 7, 2026.

Combined water and sewer is $6.00 per 1,000 gallons inside the city ($7.00 base) as of July 2026. The deposit is $100 for owners and $200 for renters, and bills are due by the 20th. New construction needs a backflow preventer that is tested every year.

Canon runs the Canon Water System and takes utility bill payments online. City Hall is open Mon–Fri, 8:00–5:00. Canon straddles Franklin and Hart counties.

Martin (mostly in Stephens County, with a small part in Franklin) runs its own water department. A water service application is on the town's homepage.

Issues septic permits and inspections. Hours are Mon, Wed and Thu 8–5, Tue 8–7, and Fri 8–noon. A new system needs a Level 3 soil report by a certified soil classifier, your 911 address or parcel ID, and a recorded plat or deed.

Residential new-system permits cost $250 (1–2 bedrooms), $275 (3–4) or $300 (5+). A repair permit is $100, and an existing-system or pre-purchase evaluation is $125. Lots under 0.5 acre on public water, or under 1 acre on a well, need a to-scale site plan.

$50 covers a coliform and E. coli bacteria test, including one re-sample. An Environmental Health specialist collects the sample, and results take at least 24 hours.

Franklin County is in Georgia DPH District 2, based in Gainesville. This page lists clinic and environmental health hours and staff.

For mineral, chemical or full well-water panels beyond the bacteria test, the extension office supplies bottles and sends samples to the UGA lab. Call ahead about fees.

The UGA lab that runs extension well-water tests, including the home-loan-closing panel and radon in water. Submit through your county extension office.

A member-owned co-op serving rural Hart, Stephens, Franklin, Madison, Banks and Elbert counties. To start service, call Member Services Mon–Fri, 8–4. A deposit may be required, and having your 911 address helps.

Lists what you need to open an account: service address, mailing address, ID, and possibly a meter number or the prior occupant's name. Payment line: (866) 916-4278.

Jackson EMC lists Franklin among the 10 counties it serves, but only a small part of the county. Confirm by address. The site blocks automated checks, so open it in a browser.

Investor-owned utility, regulated by the Georgia PSC. Apply for service online or by phone, and confirm by address whether you're in Georgia Power or EMC territory.

Georgia Power's online form to start, stop or move service. A new-construction address needs the county and lot details.

Royston owns and operates its gas system, billed on the city utility bill, and is replacing residential and commercial meters. The page has the required buried-piping and excess-flow-valve notices for customers.

Pay Royston gas, water and garbage here. The disconnect cut-off is the 6th of each month, emergency reconnects cost $100, and card payments carry a processor convenience fee.

The City of Toccoa runs a regional gas system that also serves Lavonia and Martin. Call with the address to check availability; Atlanta Gas Light marketer choice does not apply to its customers.

The state's regulated pipeline utility, outside city gas systems. Where AGL has lines, you buy gas from a PSC-certified marketer. Ask AGL whether a main serves your address.

Official list of marketers that sell gas on Atlanta Gas Light's system. This does not apply to Royston city gas customers.

Takes trash and recyclables Tue–Fri 8–4:30 (closed noon–1) and Sat 8–noon. Bag tags are 5 for $5, and a resident truckload is $45 for a single axle. No cash: bring a check or card plus ID.

Recyclables only: #1 and #2 plastics, cardboard, and aluminum and tin cans (Royston also takes scrap metal). No paper. Lavonia is open Tue, Thu and Sat mornings; Royston is open Tue and Fri 9:30–5:30 and Sat 8–2.

The city is the only garbage collector inside city limits: weekly curbside pickup for $17.25/month on the utility bill. Call ahead to schedule white-goods pickup on Fridays.

City garbage service is $18 for the first cart and $13 for each extra cart (fee schedule adopted Feb 3, 2026).

Garbage service is required inside city limits: $16 per cart, picked up Mondays as early as 5 a.m. Call ahead for limb pickup every other Friday ($15–$25).

Enter the property address to see which providers report service there, by technology and speed. You can challenge a listing that's wrong.

Truvista says it serves Franklin, Hart, Rabun and Stephens counties in Georgia. The closest store is in Toccoa (Mon–Tue 8–5, Wed 9–5, Thu–Fri 8–5).

Kinetic advertises fiber plans from 100 Mbps to 2 Gig in Lavonia. It also has location pages for Royston, Carnesville and Canon, but check each address.

The state's broadband office, with maps and grant-funded expansion projects. Useful if your road isn't served yet.

Schools: Carnesville Elementary, Lavonia Elementary, South Franklin Elementary, Franklin County Middle and Franklin County High. The district is a charter system.

New students must register online. You'll need a birth certificate, immunization records, a Social Security card (or a waiver form) and 3 current proofs of residence dated within 90 days. Kindergartners must be 5 by September 1.

For questions about which school your address is zoned to, call Transportation at ext. 11349. Out-of-county students are accepted only from inside Royston city limits.

Federal data: 5 schools, 3,577 students, a 13.7:1 student/teacher ratio (2024–25 CCD). Good for quick comparisons.

Handles rezoning, variances, conditional uses, plats and subdivisions. Open Mon–Fri, 8–4:30. The Planning Commission meets the 3rd Thursday at 5:30 pm at the Justice Center (7085 Hwy 145).

The current Unified Development Code (amended March 3, 2025) and the official zoning map. Check setbacks and allowed uses here before you buy land or build.

Building permits must be submitted through the online portal. Contractors register first, and fee schedules are posted on this page.

A new home needs a deed, recorded plat, drawings, a scaled site plan, a septic permit, and a contractor license or homeowner affidavit. If you grade over 1 acre, you also need a GSWCC Blue Card and an EPD NOI.

New homes need an E911 address before septic, power and permits. Request forms and instructions are on this page.

Enforces county nuisance and other ordinances. File complaints online with your name and number. Open Mon–Fri, 8–4:30.

Royston has its own zoning map plus rezoning, annexation, variance and conditional-use applications. The City Marshal handles building permits, yard-sale and sign permits, and tall-grass and dumping complaints.

Carnesville issues its own building permits: a $50 admin fee, valuation-based fees, and a $150 certificate of occupancy for a new house. Pay all fees to the City Clerk before the permit is issued.

The city's zoning map and zoning ordinance. Call City Hall about permits inside city limits.

Docks, underbrushing and other shoreline work on Corps land need a Shoreline Use Permit from the Hartwell Project Office. If you buy a lake lot with an existing dock, contact the office to transfer the permit.

Explains shoreline allocations, dock size limits and the electrical inspection required for docks. Read it before you pay a premium for a 'dockable' lake lot.

Main number for non-emergencies. Office and records hours are Mon–Fri, 8–4. Call 911 for emergencies.

Runs 24/7 and takes emergency and non-emergency calls for the county and for Carnesville, Lavonia, Royston, Canon and Franklin Springs. Sign up for CodeRED alerts from the county homepage.

There are 12 volunteer stations, including Lavonia, Royston, Canon, Carnesville, Franklin Springs, Gumlog and Red Hill. Ask your insurer how the ISO rating for your fire district affects your premium.

Four ALS ambulance stations, in Carnesville, Franklin Springs, Lavonia and Double Churches. For billing questions call (706) 335-0123.

City police for Royston. After hours, call this number to report water leaks too.

The city asks residents to call 911 for both emergency and non-emergency police service. Use (706) 245-0000 for general questions.

The statewide registry, searchable by address. The Sheriff's Office handles local registrations (call for an appointment).

Required for burning yard debris. A permit is good only on the day it's issued, or the next day if you get it after dark. Phone permits: 1-800-GA-TREES.

New residents need their out-of-state title or lien paperwork, Georgia insurance, and a Georgia license showing a Franklin County address. Open Mon–Fri, 8–4:30. Avoid third-party renewal sites like GeorgiaCarReg.org, which add fees.

The nearest DDS center for licenses and IDs. Open Tue–Fri, 8:00–6:00 (closed Sat–Mon). Check DDS's office-closures page before you go.

Register to vote, update your address and find your precinct. Open Mon–Fri, 8–4:30. Early voting for Nov 3, 2026 runs Oct 13–30.

Check your registration, polling place and sample ballot online.

Part of the Athens Regional Library System (PINES card). Open Mon and Wed 10–8, Tue and Fri 10–6, Sat 10–2; closed Thursday.

Athens Regional Library System branch. Open Mon and Thu 10–8, Tue and Fri 10–6, Sat 10–2; closed Wednesday.

Youth sports, more than 40 programs, a gym, ball fields and wooded areas on 50 acres, with walking trails in the works. Rooms and facilities are available to rent. Office open Mon–Fri, 9–5.

As of June 1, 2026, the Marshal's Office handles county animal control. The 2026 animal control ordinance is linked from the county site.

Soil and water testing, help with lawns, gardens, pastures and pests, and 4-H. Mailing address: PO Box 307, Carnesville.

The county's main number. Use 'Report a Concern' on the homepage for road, ditch or other county issues. The Road Department maintains 447 miles of road, 172 of them gravel.

Look up the official flood map (FIRM) and flood zone for any address. Lenders require flood insurance in high-risk 'A' zones.

The county planning department's floodplain link, which opens the FEMA address search. Call Planning & Zoning about building in or near a mapped floodplain.

The Assessor's parcel map, useful for checking lot lines against streams and lake frontage. Pair it with the FEMA map, since qPublic doesn't show flood zones.

On Lake Hartwell, the shoreline next to private lots is managed by the Corps. Ask the office where the government boundary sits before you clear trees or build near the water.