Decatur, Georgia Building Permit Guide

The City of Decatur issues building permits for property inside city limits through its Design, Environment and Construction division. Applications are filed online through CommunityCore.

What requires a permit in Decatur?

Decatur requires a building permit for constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing or changing the occupancy of a structure. The City also specifically requires a permit for repairs and maintenance valued at $1,000 or more.

Any roofing or structural work triggers a permit regardless of that $1,000 repair/maintenance threshold. Separate trade permits are required for drainage, sewer, gas, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work regardless of value.

Projects that affect zoning, disturb land, occur in a Local Historic District, or affect a sidewalk, street or other right-of-way require the related City review in addition to the construction permit path.

Who issues building permits in Decatur?

Depending on the project, review can involve permit technicians, plan reviewers, the City Planner, the City Arborist, Building, Engineering and the Fire Marshal.

Permit fees in Decatur

Decatur’s FY 2025-26 consolidated fee schedule lists a $25 e-permitting/digital plan review fee per item and a $60 minimum building permit. For permits exceeding $1,000 of value or involving roofing or structural work, the published formula is $60 for the first $1,000 of value plus $7 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, whichever is greater.

The same schedule lists minimum trade permit amounts of $90 for electrical and $60 each for HVAC and plumbing, plus separate certificate, plan-review, reinspection and other development charges.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work

A building permit does not cover regulated trade work in Decatur. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC and gas work each need their own permit record.

How to apply: 6-step Decatur process

Decatur inspections

Certificates of occupancy/completion require paid fees, passed inspections, as-built approval where applicable, HPBS compliance and no unresolved holds, stop-work orders or citations.

Do not cover regulated work before the required inspection is complete.

Local Decatur details that matter

1. CommunityCore is mandatory; the City says it no longer accepts paper or emailed permit applications.

2. Tree impacts can trigger a mandatory arborist pre-application meeting before permit filing.

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 Decatur permitting resources

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

• Georgia DCA current codes
• FY 25-26 fee schedule
• Applications, forms & fees
• Permit requirements
• How to obtain a permit
• Georgia DCA enforcement

Decatur permit FAQs

Can I email a permit application to Decatur?

No. Decatur states that applications must be submitted through CommunityCore.

What is Decatur’s repair-value trigger?

The City requires a permit for repairs and maintenance valued at $1,000 or more, while roofing and structural work require permits regardless of that threshold.

Are trade permits separate?

Yes. Decatur requires separate trade permits for regulated drainage, sewer, gas, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work regardless of value.

What happens when protected trees are affected?

For specified permit types that remove trees or disturb protected root zones, the City requires a pre-application meeting with the City Arborist before filing.

How is a CO or completion certificate requested?

Request it from the permitting office once fees are paid, inspections are passed and no holds, stop-work orders or citations remain.

Simplify Decatur 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 Decatur permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.