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Atlanta building permits

Building permits in Atlanta are issued by the Office of Buildings, Department of City Planning (DCP)1. You can apply and request inspections online through aca-prod.accela.com2.

Last checked

On this page
  1. Building department contacts
  2. Building codes in force in Atlanta
  3. How to get a building permit in Atlanta
  4. Permit expiration and extensions
  5. Inspections in Atlanta
  6. Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
  7. Georgia rules that also apply in Atlanta
  8. Sources

Building department contacts

Office of Buildings, Department of City Planning (DCP)1

Building permits

Phone
(404) 330-6150 (general permitting inquiries)3
Address
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 3900, Atlanta, GA 30303
2
Hours
Walk-in transactions 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.3
Inspections
Accela portal, email [email protected], automated phone, or text4

Office of Zoning and Development (DCP)3

Zoning and planning

Codebusters (DCP team for reports of unpermitted work)3

Code enforcement

To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: aca-prod.accela.com5.

Building codes in force in Atlanta

These are the model codes Atlanta enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Georgia building codes.

CodeTitle as adoptedModel editionEffectiveAdopted by
International Residential Code (IRC)2024 International Residential Code (IRC) with Georgia Amendments1202411Georgia Board of Community Affairs / Department of Community Affairs (state minimum codes)1
International Building Code (IBC)2024 International Building Code (IBC) with Georgia Amendments1202411Georgia Board of Community Affairs / Department of Community Affairs (state minimum codes)1
International Mechanical Code (IMC)2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) with Georgia Amendments1202411Georgia Board of Community Affairs / Department of Community Affairs (state minimum codes)1
International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) with Georgia Amendments1202411Georgia Board of Community Affairs / Department of Community Affairs (state minimum codes)1
International Plumbing Code (IPC)2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Georgia Amendments1202411Georgia Board of Community Affairs / Department of Community Affairs (state minimum codes)1
Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)2024 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC) with Georgia Amendments1202411Georgia Board of Community Affairs / Department of Community Affairs (state minimum codes)1
National Electrical Code (NEC)2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) with Georgia Amendments1202311Georgia Board of Community Affairs / Department of Community Affairs (state minimum codes)1
State codeLife Safety Code 2024 Edition1202411Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office (Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire)1

Transition rules. Applications submitted before February 1, 2026 reviewed under prior codes; from February 1, 2026 all new applications must comply1.

How to get a building permit in Atlanta

  1. Research the property (GIS maps, zoning cases, plans, permit history)8
  2. Complete the Building Permit Application Packet and start the application in Accela Citizen Access ("Submit an Application")2
  3. Upload documents (PDF, DCP naming convention)6
  4. Acceptance review within 48 business hours2
  5. Pay the invoiced deposit; review starts only after payment2
  6. If incomplete: 10 calendar days to supply materials, else the application is voided2
  7. Schedule required inspections4
Apply online
Yes: most services digital only; in-person allowed for certain projects6
Posting the permit
A "Building Permit Posting Affidavit" form exists7

Permit expiration and extensions

Extensions
A "Request to Extend Expired Permit" form exists7

Inspections in Atlanta

Atlanta’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).

  1. Inspection scheduling and timing4
  2. Pre-construction meeting (sites with land disturbance; Environmental Compliance, 404-546-1305)9
  3. Footings, foundation and slab9
  4. Trade inspections (mechanical, electrical, plumbing)4
  5. Framing9
  6. Insulation9
  7. Drywall (air barrier, attic hatch)9
  8. Fire protection9
  9. Environmental compliance final (site stabilized, BMPs removed; 404-546-1305)9
  10. Virtual video inspections (certain types)3
  11. Third-party inspections (certain project scopes)3
How to schedule
Accela portal, email, automated phone or text; by applicant, contractor or expediter4
After the final inspection
Certificate of Occupancy issued by building inspectors when appropriate9

Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)

Homeowner may pull a building permit
Conditional: owner-occupant of single-family residence who personally does the work, with notarized Homeowner's Affidavit10
Homeowner electrical work
Conditional: affidavit covers Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing or Building permits10
Homeowner plumbing work
Conditional: affidavit covers Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing or Building permits10
Owner and occupancy requirement
12 months10
Affidavit or declaration
Yes10

Georgia's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Georgia permit guide.

Georgia rules that also apply in Atlanta

Sources

  1. Construction Codes | Atlanta, GACity of Atlanta, Department of City PlanningChecked November 6, 2026
  2. Building Permit Application PacketCity of Atlanta, Department of City Planning, Office of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
  3. City Planning | Atlanta, GACity of Atlanta, Department of City PlanningChecked November 6, 2026
  4. Inspections & Code Enforcement | Atlanta, GACity of Atlanta, Department of City PlanningChecked November 6, 2026
  5. Accela Citizen Access - City of AtlantaCity of Atlanta, Department of City PlanningChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Online Permitting | Atlanta, GACity of Atlanta, Department of City PlanningChecked November 6, 2026
  7. Applications, Forms, and Checklists | Atlanta, GACity of Atlanta, Department of City PlanningChecked November 8, 2026
  8. Research a Property or Project | Atlanta, GACity of Atlanta, Department of City PlanningChecked November 6, 2026
  9. Office of Buildings: inspections info sheetCity of Atlanta, Department of City Planning, Office of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
  10. Homeowner's Affidavit FormCity of Atlanta, Department of City Planning, Office of BuildingsRevised January 2020Checked November 7, 2026