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BUILDING PERMITTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES


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COMPLETE PERMIT APPLICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS    View Printable Version

  • Rodent Letter- A letter from a licensed Pest Control Company stating they have inspected the property that is to be demolished. 
  • Two (2) site plans showing buildings, trees, road, and driveways for lots less than one (1) acre. 
  • Tree protection fence must be installed prior to any land disturbance activity.

                  o If no trees will be impacted (as defined by the Tree Ordinance), applicant needs to submit 
                     a signed No Trees Impacted statement.  If no trees are impacted include two photos
                     from different angles.

  • Detail sheets (provided by the Bureau of Buildings) that will illustrate installation of silt fencing at the perimeter of the land disturbance activity along with construction entrance/exit details and tree protection.

                  o Notation to be placed on the plans by Bureau of Buildings staff:
               
      “Silt fencing and construction entrance/exit shall prohibit soil from exiting the site.  This
                     permit is not valid if any existing stream is
 
located on  the property.  A separate plan
                     review and approval is required from Site Development and Arborist.”
      

  • Seven (7) site plans with erosion control must be submitted for any lot greater than one (1) acre.
  • A sewer tap permit from the Bureau of Buildings, Plumbing Division.

Note: An inspection may be required prior to demolition of property.  Consult Bureau of Buildings at 404.330.6150 to determine if this requirement is necessary.
 
The intake process is the stage in which the permit application is created. During this stage, all drawings are submitted for review and approval. 
 
Applications may be processed without the approval of the Bureau of Planning should the Bureau of Planning or the Bureau of Code Compliance determine the property to be unsafe and at least 50% percent destroyed or deteriorated.
  
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.
  • 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.
  • All building construction begun prior to the issuance of a permit will result in doubled permit fees. Fees are not to exceed $1,000.  

   Agency

Name

Telephone

Bureau of Buildings Arborist Division

404.330.6836

Building Inspection 404.330.6160
Plumbing 404.330.6170
 
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

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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.

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.  

ZONING
Zoning Requirements are governed by the City of Atlanta Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance contains zoning classifications with corresponding zoning requirements for permitted uses.
 
For a complete copy of the City of Atlanta Zoning Ordinance, click here.
For additional zoning information, click here.
For Frequently Asked Questions, click on Zoning Enforcement
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SITE DEVELOPMENT
The Site Development division of the Department of Watershed Management 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.    

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 

Additional Arborist Information
 
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PLANNING
The Bureau of Planning reviews requests for demolition of buildings that been determined not to be unsafe by the Bureau of Code Compliance or the Bureau of Buildings.  To determine if the proposed future use of the property will require rezoning, or if the property will create open space, a special use permit or a change to the Comprehensive Development Plan.

All demolition permit applications must state the reason for such permit, as well as include the future use of the property to be demolished.

Reference: Municipal Code, Part III, Part 8, Chapter 2, Article B, Section 8-2076

All properties within a City of Atlanta historic zoning category must obtain a Type IV Certificate of Appropriateness before continuing the building permitting process.
 
Click here for information on the Atlanta Urban Design Commission.
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City of Atlanta, Bureau of Buildings - 404.330.6150
  • Approve compliance with Zoning regulations
  • Assign street addresses
  • Construction Documents / Building
  • Plan Review
  • Arborist Approval
  • Issuance of all building permits 
  • Fee calculation

City of Atlanta, Bureau of Planning - 404.330.6145

  • Approves plans of structures that have not been declared unsafe

City of Atlanta, Urban Design Commission - 404.330.6200

  • Approve plans for conservation, historic and landmark zoning districts
  • Review projects utilizing City of Atlanta Capitol funds 
  • Review of projects involving City of Atlanta property or right-of-way

City of Atlanta, Department of Watershed Management - 404.330.6081

  • Approve Site Development
  • Approves sewer certification
  • Review erosion and sediment control

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) Residential Demolitions