BUILDING PERMITTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES

RESIDENTIAL CONVERSIONS

• Applications and Requirements  View Printable Version
• Intake
• Permitting Fees
• Developmental Impact Fees
• Contact Information
• Plan Review
• Permit Issuance
• Inspections 
• Zoning
• Site Development
• Arborist
• Affiliated Agencies
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) View Printable Version
• Glossary of Terms   View Printable Version 
• Applicable Codes 

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ZONING
Zoning Requirements are governed by the City of Atlanta Zoning Ordinance. The requirements addressed in the Zoning Ordinance include:

• Setback Requirements
• Permitted Uses
• Density
• Height
• Off Street Parking
• Sign Permit 

Historic Preservation matters are subject to approval by the Urban Design Commission which approves Certificates of Appropriateness.

SITE DEVELOPMENT
The Site Development division of the Department of Watershed Management reviews proposed construction plans for civil engineering related issues.  Site Development internally conducts standard site plan review.  Primary points of focus for Site Development are:

• grading and drainage,
• storm water management,
• connections to sanitary sewer, stream bank buffers, and flood plains; and
• erosion and sediment control. 

Note: Standard plan review fees apply.    

Additional Site Development Information

• The Atlanta City Code and the Official Code of Georgia requires that a fee of $40/disturbed acre be paid to the City; and an additional $40/disturbed acre be paid to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.   All Site Development fees are payable at the time of issuance of a building permit.  

• Sites larger than 1.1 acres of disturbed area, or within 200 ft. of State waters may require additional approval by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission District (GSWCD). The GSWCD staff reviews plans and makes recommendations to the District Board which meets twice a month.

• An additional 1-6 weeks may be added to the City’s review process should a permit need review by the GSWCD.  The District Board may require sites with unusual conditions to make a formal presentation to the Board. Example: encroachments into 25 ft. state Waters Buffers

• Work within the 75-foot streambank of any stream within the City of Atlanta must comply with the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinance requirements for work within Streambank Buffers. (Section 74-300 et seq)

• Review by the Streambank Buffer Technical Panel and fulfillment of the Public Notice requirements may increase the permit process review time by an additional eight (8) or more weeks.

Click here for the Site Development Checklists. 

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ARBORIST DIVISION
In order to preserve and minimize trees from being destroyed during development or any other land disturbance, the City of Atlanta has enacted a Tree Protection Ordinance.  The Tree Protection Ordinance, administered by the Bureau of Buildings, Arborist Division, requires a fifteen (15) day posting period on sites that require tree removal.  For more information on tree postings, tree removal, or arborist plan review and inspections, please visit the Arborist Division.  

AFFILIATED AGENCIES

City of Atlanta, Bureau of Planning - 404.330.6145

City of Atlanta, Bureau of Housing - 404.330.6390

• Housing Impact Fee Exemptions

City of Atlanta, Urban Design Commission - 404.330.6200

• Approve plans for Historic Districts
• Review projects utilizing public funds

  City of Atlanta, Department of Watershed Management - 404.330.6081

• Approve site development
• Approve sewer certification
• Review erosion and sediment control
• Stream buffer/ Waters of state issues
• National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES)
• Water meter issuance
• Site hydrology and flood plain issues

City of Atlanta, Department of Finance  - 404.330.6430

Process permit payments
Approve Developmental Impact Fee Exemptions

City of Atlanta, Department of Public Works- 404.330.6240

• Traffic issues
• Curb cuts
• Sanitation/solid waste (multifamily)

City of Atlanta, Department of Fire and Rescue- 404.853.7000

• Fire Department access
• Fire hydrant approval
• Assembly occupancies approval
• Fuel tanks
• Tents/outdoor events
• Fire Department connections for automatic sprinkler/standpipe systems
• Fire Department control rooms

City of Atlanta, Department of Aviation- 404.530.6600

• Airport projects only

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City of Atlanta Board of Zoning Adjustment

• Special Exceptions cases
• Variances cases
• Appeal of decisions of administration cases

Atlanta City Council

• Approve rezoning, Special Use Permits, and major Site Plan Amendments

DeKalb County Health Department-404.294.3700

• Food service permits
• Solid waste/trash compactors
• Public swimming pools

Fulton County Health and Wellness Department-404.730.1211

• Food service permits
• Solid waste/trash compactors
• Public swimming pools

Georgia Department of Agriculture- 404.656.3645

• Grocery stores, food processing/food service in covered facilities

Georgia Department of Transportation- 404.818.6600

• Curb cuts along state roads

Georgia Department of Human Resources- 1.866.351.0001 

• Childcare licensing

Georgia Department of Labor- 404.232.3001

• Boiler permits and inspections

Georgia Soil and Water Conservation- 1.866.351.0001

• Erosion and sediment control approval
• State waters buffer encroachments

Georgia Environmental Protection Division-1.866.351.0001

• Stream buffer variances/ State waters buffer encroachments

Federal Emergency Management Agency- 1.800.621.3362

• Flood plain studies for unmapped areas
• Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) for mapped areas

Corps. of Engineers/Savannah District- 1.800.832.7828
(Northern Area Office located in Morrow, Georgia)

• Wetlands impacts
• Flood plain impacts
• Aerial sewer crossings, or roadway crossings

Georgia State Fire Marshals- 1.866.351.0001

• Jails
• Hospitals

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS   New Residential Conversions

GLOSSARY OF TERMS   View Printable Version

APPLICABLE CODES

• CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code, 2000 Edition with Georgia Amendments. 

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code, 2000 Edition with Georgia Amendments.

• Standard Gas Code (International Fuel Gas Code), 2000 Edition with Georgia Amendments.

• Standard Mechanical Code (International Mechanical Code), 2000 Edition with Georgia Amendments.

• Georgia Handicapped Accessibility Law 120-3-20.

• Standard Plumbing Code (International Plumbing Code), 2000 Edition with Georgia Amendments.

• National Electrical Code (NEC), 2005 Edition with Georgia Amendments.

• ANSI A17.1 Elevator Code, 1996 Edition with 1999 State Amendments.

• International Energy Conservation Code, 2000 Edition with Georgia Amendments.

• Standard Fire Prevention Code (International Fire Code), 2003 Edition with Georgia Amendments.