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BUILDING PERMITTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES


RESIDENTIAL CONVERSIONS

Return to the Permitting Primer main page

Return to the Residential Primer main page


COMPLETE PERMIT APPLICATION AND REQUIREMENTS View Printable Version

  • Include two (2) complete sets of architectural/structural plans.
  • All buildings described in these plans shall be designed in compliance with the current applicable 
    codes along with revisions and amendments.
  • All plans must be accurate, released for construction, legible, with dimensions drawn to a
    standard scale.  (Single line drawings will not be accepted)
  • Two (2) copies of any pertinent ordinances (rezoning), special use permits, special administrative
    permits, variances or other documents relating to zoning approval, or other applicable documentation 
    that will support any conversion. 
  • A site plan is not required for interior only alterations that do not increase the number of living
    units.  If no trees are impacted include two photos from different angles
  • Include the notarized Cost of Construction form.
For more information, visit the Bureau of Buildings
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INTAKE
The intake process is the stage in which the permit application is created. During this stage, all drawings are submitted for review and approval. 

The following link includes the checklist for new single family residences.

PERMITTING FEES
No permit or permit fee is required for any work with a total valuation of less than $2,500.00 provided that such work is otherwise lawful.A permit fee of $5.00 per $1,000.00 of valuation; or $50.00 whichever is greater, shall be paid. No permit is valid until such fees have been paid to the City of Atlanta and validated by Bureau of Treasury.

  1. A reinspection fee of $50.00 shall be imposed for each reinspection once a written notice has been issued requiring the correction of inferior work.
  2. All building construction begun prior to the issuance of a permit will result in doubled permit fees. Fees are not to exceed $1,000.
  3. A fee shall be imposed of $1.00 per square foot for signs or $50.00, whichever is greater.
  4. A fee of double the usual permit fee shall be imposed for signs erected without a permit.  Fee shall not exceed $1,000.
  5. Change of contractor fee shall be $50.00.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FEES

  • New One and Two-Family Residences- $50.00
  • Additional Units to One and Two-Family Residences- $50.00
  • Tenant Building-Out for Residential- $50.00
  • Temporary Certificates of Occupancy-$100.00

View Printable Version of Technical Permitting Fee Schedule.

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DEVELOPMENTAL IMPACT FEES
Pursuant to the City of Atlanta Developmental Impact Fee Ordinance, the Bureau of Buildings is responsible for the calculation of all Developmental Impact fees.  All new construction and occupancy changes to existing buildings are subject to Developmental Impact fee assessment. 

Current Impact fees for a new single-family residence

 
 
Northside Service Area 
Southside & Westside Service Areas

Transportation

 $987

$987

Parks & Recreation

 $410

$246

Fire & Emergency Service

 $114

$114

Police

 $33

$33

  Total

 $1,544

$1,380

Current Impact fees for a new duplex

 
 
Northside Service Area 
Southside & Westside Service Areas

Transportation

 $940

$940

Parks & Recreation

 $570

$342

Fire & Emergency Service

 $158

$158

Police

 $46

$46

  Total

 $1,714

$1,486

Additional Information regarding Developmental Impact Fees

  • New one and two-family residential construction impact fees are based on service areas and the number of living units.
  • Properties located within 1,000 feet of a Marta station qualify for a 50% reduction of the Transportation fee.
  • Developmental Impact fees may be exempted for the construction of affordable housing or in certain designated areas to encourage economic development.
  • Projects receiving exemptions must comply with the City of Atlanta Barrier-free Ordinance.  Please contact the Bureau of Housing at 404.330.6390 for further details.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

   Agency

Name

Telephone

Atlanta Fire Department
Assembly and Site

Captain Thomas

404.853.7000
404.787.6948

Bureau of Buildings Arborist Division 404.330.6836
Building Inspection 404.330.6160
Electrical 404.330.6180
Mechanical 404.330.6265
Plumbing 404.330.6170
Grease Joseph Oguntoye 404.853.7838
Health Michael Squibb (N) 404.730.1301
Kitchen & Solid Waste Tina Emerson (S) 770.306.3196
Traffic Latonia Lee 404.330.6501
Watershed Management Water Division 404.330.6842

                  GENERAL PHONE NUMBERS

Bureau of Buildings 404.330.6150
Bureau of Planning 404.330.6145
Urban Design Commission 404.330.6200
Department of Watershed Management 404.330.6224
Department of Public Works 404.330.6501
Department of Fire 404.853.7001
Department of Finance 404.330.6454
DeKalb County Health Department 404.371.4742
Fulton County Health Department 404.730.1301
Georgia Soil and Water Conservation 770.761.3020

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BUILDING PLAN REVIEW
The Bureau of Buildings performs plan review services to verify compliance with Building Code, Life Safety Code, and the Georgia Accessibility Code. All plans submitted for issuance of a building permit must be accurate, legible, drawn to standard scale, include dimensions, and meet minimum industry-wide acceptable architectural and engineering standards.  Plans marked “Not Released for Construction”, “Preliminary” and “Permit only” shall not be accepted for review unless otherwise noted for site and foundation permits. 

Click here for Checklist for submission of plans for alterations and repairs to one and two family residences

The City of Atlanta reserves the right to require additional information for plan review analysis.

PERMIT ISSUANCE
Once plans are approved, the permit will be released for issuance by the plan reviewer. The plans are then verified and finalized and paid for at the City of Atlanta, Department of Finance.

Note: Acceptable methods of payment are electronic check, cash, VISA, MasterCard, or certified check.  Business checks will not be accepted.

Each site for which a building permit has been issued is required to be posted with a sign within 24 hours in a conspicuous location and remain posted for 30 days. The sign shall have a copy of the permit, and shall not be less than six square feet with the words “NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMIT” in letters not less than four inches high.

A notarized affidavit must be filed with the Clerk of Council certifying under penalty of perjury the date on which the required sign was posted. (This posting is not required for repairs and alterations that do not increase square footage).

Clerk of Council
55 Trinity Ave., SW,
Suite 2700

Atlanta, Georgia
30303-0310

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INSPECTIONS
Bureau of Buildings conducts inspections subsequent to the issuance of a permit.  Additional inspections are also conducted by the Department of Watershed, Site Development Division.  To request an inspection, click here.

Building Inspection Division
404.330.6160 (office)
404.331.8901 (fax)
The Building Inspection Division inspects all building permits for compliance as well as handling complaints.  Building inspections also issue Certificates of Occupancy. 

Electrical Division
404.330.6180 (office)
404.658.7374 (fax)
The Electrical Division is responsible for the inspection of all electrical and low voltage permits for code compliance as well as complaints and power authorizations.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Division
404.330.6265 (office)
404.658.6982 (fax)
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Division inspects all HVAC and gas for code compliance.

Plumbing Division
404.330.6170 (office)
404.658.6881 (fax)
The Plumbing Division inspects all plumbing and sprinkler permits for code compliance.  Plumbing also handles complaints and sewer tap approvals.

Zoning Division
404.330.6175 (office)
404.331.8902 (fax)
The Zoning Division inspects all sign permits for code compliance, approves all building permits for zoning compliance, and conducts zoning research and verification.  Click here for information regarding online zoning verification.

CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY
Certificates of Occupancy are issued by the Bureau of Buildings once all final inspections have been successfully completed and all construction has concluded.  Only under extenuating circumstances will Temporary Certificates of Occupancy be issued for a provisional time period.