Clarkston Planning & Development issues building permits and carries out inspections inside the city. Unincorporated DeKalb County rules do not apply to property inside Clarkston.
What requires a permit in Clarkston?
A building permit is generally required for new construction, temporary buildings and interior or exterior alterations. Examples on the City’s list include decks, retaining walls 4 feet or taller, pools and spas, new siding or stucco, water heater replacement, new or replacement HVAC systems, service change-outs, gas piping and new fences or fence repairs that include posts.
Some work does not need a permit, such as non-structural repairs, painting, flooring and trim, roof covering repair or replacement on homes, garage door replacement and retaining walls under 48 inches.
Who issues building permits in Clarkston?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | City of Clarkston Planning & Development |
| Phone | 404-296-6489 |
| Office | 736 Park North Boulevard, Suite 120, Clarkston, GA 30021 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Filing | SagesGov online permitting |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Clarkston permit types and local workflow
- Online platform: The City has moved all permitting to SagesGov.
- Applications: The City lists building, build/trade, demolition, land disturbance, plan review, permanent sign and tree removal applications.
- Site work: Grading and other land-disturbing work needs a land disturbance permit.
Permit costs and fees in Clarkston
Clarkston publishes a fee schedule on its Permits & Inspections pages. DeKalb County Fire Marshal plan-review and inspection fees for new construction and renovations are paid directly to DeKalb County when plans are submitted.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work
The City publishes a Build/Trade Permit application for trade work. Fire alarm, fire sprinkler and hood suppression systems need a permit and are also reviewed by the DeKalb County Fire Marshal.
Application documents and plan review
Plans are required for all commercial and residential construction, submitted digitally. A typical package includes:
- Building permit application and submittal requirements
- Digital building and structural plans
- Build/trade permit application, when trade work is included
- Land disturbance, tree removal or sign applications, when the work needs them
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Plans are reviewed by the City’s contracted building inspector, the DeKalb County Fire Marshal, DeKalb County Watershed (water and sewer), DeKalb County GIS and City of Clarkston Inspections, as applicable.
How to apply: 6-step Clarkston process
Verify the parcel is inside Clarkston and that the City is the correct permitting authority.
Check zoning, site, fire, utility, land-disturbance and trade requirements that apply to the scope.
Prepare the application, digital plans and any land-disturbance, tree or sign materials.
Apply through SagesGov, pay any DeKalb Fire Marshal fees at plan submittal and answer review comments.
Give the permit number, inspection type, address, contact name and phone number. Requests before 3 p.m. Monday–Thursday are scheduled for the next business day.
Complete required final inspections and obtain the applicable occupancy or completion documentation.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Clarkston inspections
Inspection requests received before 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday are scheduled for the following business day; requests received after 3:00 p.m. on Friday are scheduled for the following Tuesday. No inspections take place on City holidays.
DeKalb County Fire Marshal reviews and inspects applicable new construction and renovation fire/life-safety work, with fees paid directly to the County.
Each request needs the permit number, the type of inspection, the address, a contact name and a contact number. Missing information delays scheduling.
Local Clarkston details that matter
Utility connections: If your gas or electricity provider requires a safety inspection or gas line pressure test before connecting service, you need a building permit from the City for it.
Plans: Clarkston requires plans for commercial and residential construction and identifies City, DeKalb Fire Marshal, Watershed/Water & Sewer and GIS review as applicable.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →City contact: Clarkston lists its offices at 736 Park North Boulevard, Suite 120, with hours Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 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
Official Clarkston permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Clarkston SagesGov permitting
- Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes
- Clarkston Permits and Inspections
- Clarkston building permits: what needs a permit
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Clarkston permit FAQs
Does Clarkston issue its own building permits?
Yes. Clarkston Planning & Development issues building permits and carries out inspections inside the city.
Where should I start a Clarkston permit?
Register on SagesGov, the City’s online permitting platform, and apply there. The City publishes step-by-step registration instructions.
How should I budget permit fees?
Use the City’s fee schedule and add any DeKalb County Fire Marshal plan-review and inspection fees, which are paid to the County.
Do trade permits need a separate application?
The City publishes a Build/Trade Permit application for trade work. Water heater replacement, HVAC replacement, service change-outs and gas piping all need a permit.
What closes a Clarkston permit?
Complete the required final inspections and obtain the applicable occupancy or completion documentation required for the project type.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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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.
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More Georgia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Clarkston permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.