Auburn, Georgia Building Permit Guide

The City of Auburn issues building permits through its Community Development (License & Permits) office, and SAFEbuilt does the plan review and inspections under contract. Paper applications go to 1369 Fourth Avenue or by email to labland@cityofauburn-ga.org, processing takes 5 to 7 business days, and accessory buildings and pools cost $6.50 per $1,000 of construction cost, with a $120 minimum.

What requires a permit in Auburn?

Building permits are needed for all new construction and most additions, alterations and renovations. The City’s permit brochure adds that any work to construct, enlarge, alter, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building, or to install or replace part of an electrical, gas, plumbing or HVAC system, needs a permit.

Fences are listed two ways: the City’s inspections page lists fences over 6 feet high as needing a permit, while its permit brochure exempts rear and side-yard fences up to 8 feet. For a fence between 6 and 8 feet, ask the permit office first (770-963-4002 ext. 206).

Auburn building department: who handles permitting

Permits are issued by the City’s Community Development Department, whose permit counter is also called the License & Permits or Permits & License office. SAFEbuilt reviews plans and carries out building inspections for the City, and the City’s third-party inspector also handles detention pond, development, erosion, paving, pool and site inspections. Commercial buildings also need approval from the Barrow or Gwinnett County Fire Marshal, depending on which county the site is in.

The City’s July 2025 accessory building guide gives the Community Development address as 1 Auburn Way, while the Building Inspections page still sends applications to 1369 Fourth Avenue, so call ahead before delivering paper plans.

Auburn permit applications and forms

Auburn takes applications on paper or by email: download the forms, then email them or bring them to the permit counter, and make checks payable to the City of Auburn. The single Building Permit Application covers new buildings, additions and alterations, elevators, mobile homes, moved-in houses and safety inspections, and individual electrical, HVAC, plumbing, sign, demolition and swimming pool permits. It is signed under oath before a City representative, needs the contractor’s business licence number, and doubles as the application for the Certificate of Occupancy.

• Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Permit Applications, signed by the state card holder.
• Sub-Contractor Form: one per trade, with copies of the current business licence, driver’s licence and state trade card, filed before work starts.
• Homeowner Affidavit for owners who live, or will live, in the home and act as their own contractor. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC work still needs its own sub-contractor form, even when the owner does it.
• Erosion Control Affidavit, filed with accessory building permits.
• Sign Permit and Tree Permit applications.
• Building guides for basement finishes, accessory structures, uncovered decks and porches, patio covers, pole barns, residential re-roofs, home additions and swimming pools.

Work must start within 6 months of the permit being issued, and a permit expires if the project sits idle for more than 6 months.

Permit fees in Auburn

The City says the building permit fee is set by the square footage of the structure, but it does not publish that rate. Two City guides do print fees:

For example, a $20,000 detached garage would be $130, while a $10,000 shed would be charged the $120 minimum. Fees are paid when the permit is issued. Trade permits are separate.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and low-voltage work each need their own permit, pulled by the person or contractor who will do the work. The state card holder signs the application, and the City checks the current state card and business licence.

Each trade subcontractor also files a Sub-Contractor Form before starting work. On accessory building jobs, the City asks electricians, and homeowners doing their own wiring, to file it at least 2 days before requesting inspections. Pool permits need sub-contractor certifications for plumbing, electrical and mechanical work. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work is inspected separately from the building.

Alliance handles electrical permit filing for contractors here. More on this: who pulls the electrical permit.

Application documents and plan review

Plans are reviewed for every trade involved. Building permits take 5 to 7 business days to process, and plan review for an accessory building can take up to a week. A copy of the approved plans must stay on site during construction.

Before you file in Auburn

• If the home is on a private septic system, get county Environmental Health approval for the location first; homes on sewer skip this step.
• Check subdivision covenants with your HOA: the City does not enforce them, and a permit does not mean the project complies.
• For an accessory building, draw a scaled Accessory Building Location Plan showing lot lines, the house, driveway, easements, streams and buffers.
• Line up trade contractors early, because each trade pulls its own permit.

How to apply: 6-step Auburn process

Auburn inspections

Request inspections by email to ganortheastinspections@safebuilt.com or by calling 770-963-4002 ext. 206, with the permit number, address and lot number, the type of inspection and a phone number. Requests made before 4:30 p.m. are eligible for next-day service, and the City says inspections take place within 2 business days of being scheduled. The City’s permit instructions require 24 hours’ notice for every inspection.

Most building permits need footing, framing and final inspections, with separate electrical, plumbing and HVAC inspections. The inspection card and street address must be posted at the site, and for an accessory building the approved location plan must be there too. A final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before use or occupancy; commercial buildings also need final health department and fire service inspections.

Pools must pass their inspections, with the barrier in place, before they are filled.

Local Auburn details that matter

Two counties: commercial buildings need Barrow or Gwinnett County Fire Marshal approval, and food-service businesses deal with the Barrow or Gwinnett County Health Department, depending on location.

Accessory building limits: accessory buildings must be in the rear yard and cannot be built on vacant lots. Setbacks are 5 feet up to 100 sq ft, 10 feet up to 300, 15 feet up to 500 and 20 feet above that. Total accessory floor area is capped at 120 sq ft on lots under 10,500 sq ft, 500 sq ft up to 0.99 acre and 650 sq ft up to 1.99 acres, and on lots of 2 acres or more at half the floor area of the house, up to 1,000 sq ft. Height is limited to 18 feet, and metal buildings over 550 sq ft need a special exception from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Pool barriers: pools must be in the rear yard and enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Office hours: the City’s permit brochure lists Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Georgia building code

Georgia's State Minimum Standard Codes apply statewide: the 2024 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code, with Georgia Amendments, in force since 1 January 2026; the energy code is still the 2015 IECC with Georgia supplements. The Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes

Auburn permit search and official resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Georgia state codes
• Community Development
• Building Inspections
• Building Permits
• Auburn residential permit brochure
• Auburn residential permit instructions
• Auburn commercial permit instructions
• Auburn residential accessory building requirements (July 2025)
• Auburn residential swimming pool requirements

Auburn permit FAQs

Who handles building permits in Auburn?

The City of Auburn Community Development (License & Permits) office issues permits, and SAFEbuilt does plan review and inspections for the City.

How much is a building permit in Auburn?

Building permit fees are set by square footage and are not published. Accessory buildings and residential pools cost $6.50 per $1,000 of construction cost, with a $120 minimum.

Do I need a permit for a shed in Auburn?

Only if it is larger than 96 sq ft. Larger sheds need a permit, a scaled location plan, an Erosion Control Affidavit and footing, electrical and final inspections where they apply.

How long does an Auburn permit take?

5 to 7 business days to process a building permit; plan review for an accessory building can take up to a week.

Can a homeowner pull a permit in Auburn?

Yes, with a Homeowner Affidavit, if they live or will live in the home. Each trade still needs its own sub-contractor form.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Email ganortheastinspections@safebuilt.com or call 770-963-4002 ext. 206 before 4:30 p.m. for next-day service.

How long is a permit valid?

Work must begin within 6 months, and a permit expires if the job is idle for more than 6 months.

Simplify Auburn permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Georgia. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Auburn permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.