Building permits in unincorporated DeKalb County are issued by the Department of Planning & Sustainability (DeKalb Development Services), through its Permits, Plan Review & Inspections Division. The county has moved to ePlans electronic plan review for all building permits, land development permits, and planning applications.
This DeKalb County building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how fees work, the ePlans process, trade permits, and inspections — so your DeKalb project starts clean.
This guide covers unincorporated DeKalb County. If your project is inside one of DeKalb's cities (Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Tucker, and others), that city's department is primary. Note DeKalb's classification: for permitting, "residential" means single-family detached homes and duplexes only — everything else is treated as commercial. Georgia adopted the 2024 International Codes effective January 1, 2026.
What requires a building permit in DeKalb County?
Under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes (DeKalb adopted the 2024 International Codes effective January 1, 2026), a permit is required before most construction, additions, renovations, and accessory structures in the unincorporated county. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and accessory structures
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Reroofing, window and door replacement, and exterior work
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Swimming pools, signs, and retaining walls
- Tenant improvements and change-of-use projects
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering structure or systems
- Certain low non-structural fences (confirm limits)
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Confirm jurisdiction and apply through ePlans first.
Who handles permitting in DeKalb County?
Permitting is administered by the Permits, Plan Review & Inspections Division within Planning & Sustainability. Contractors must be state-licensed, hold a Georgia business license, and register with DeKalb Development Services; new commercial construction begins with a Land Development Permit (LDP).
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030 (One-Stop: 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) |
| Phone | 404-371-2155; plansustain@dekalbcountyga.gov |
| Online portal | ePlans electronic plan review (building, LDP, planning) |
| Residential = | Single-family detached and duplexes only; all else is commercial |
| Min. permit fee | $195 (varies by project type and valuation) |
| Enforced code | Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes (2024 I-Codes) |
Submit through ePlans. DeKalb Development Services launched ePlans for all building permits, land development permits, and planning applications — submit plans electronically and track review from anywhere, saving printing costs. Any applicant other than the licensed contractor must also submit an Authorized Permit Agent Form.
DeKalb County building permit cost
DeKalb County building permit fees are set by the county schedule and based on project type and valuation, with a $195 minimum permit fee. Separate fees apply for trades, plan review, and (for commercial) the Land Development Permit.
Because fees are valuation-based and adjusted periodically, confirm current amounts with the department before budgeting. A Certificate of Occupancy is obtained after all required inspections pass.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Minimum permit fee | $195 minimum; varies by project type and valuation |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade |
| Land Development Permit | Required to begin new commercial construction |
| Plan review | Via ePlans electronic plan review |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Issued after all required inspections pass |
| Work-without-permit | Penalties and possible stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific DeKalb County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
DeKalb County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and a state-licensed contractor registered with DeKalb Development Services, each filed in ePlans.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations, performed by a contractor licensed through the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, and gas piping, performed by a state-licensed plumbing contractor.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration, performed by a state-licensed conditioned-air contractor. Specialized systems are permitted and inspected separately.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, pools, signs, and retaining walls are permitted separately. Keep DeKalb's residential/commercial split in mind — only single-family detached homes and duplexes are "residential"; everything else (including townhomes and larger multifamily) is reviewed as commercial.
Verify your contractor's license. Georgia licenses general and residential contractors through the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, and electrical, plumbing, HVAC/conditioned-air, and low-voltage contractors through the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board (both under the Secretary of State). Most projects over $2,500 require a licensed contractor, and only a licensed contractor — or a homeowner on their own residence — may pull a permit. Verify before signing; the property owner is responsible for ensuring a permit is obtained.
How to get a building permit in DeKalb County
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit and confirm the parcel is in unincorporated DeKalb, not one of its cities; classify the project (residential = single-family/duplex only).
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, valuation, stamped/sealed plans, and energy documentation; for new commercial, plan for a Land Development Permit first.
Apply in ePlans
Submit electronically through ePlans; if you're not the licensed contractor, include an Authorized Permit Agent Form, and confirm contractor registration with DeKalb.
Plan review & corrections
Staff review plans electronically; resolve comments and resubmit through ePlans.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay the calculated fees (minimum $195), then download and post the permit on site with approved plans available.
Schedule inspections through close-out
Request inspections, then email the permit to Development Inspections for your Certificate of Occupancy once all inspections pass.
Inspections in DeKalb County
Schedule inspections through DeKalb Development Services using your permit record; once all required inspections pass, a Certificate of Occupancy may be obtained (email the front and back of the permit to the inspections team). Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final.
A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be cleared before a final inspection or Certificate of Occupancy can be requested.
Official DeKalb County permitting resources
- 🏛️ DeKalb Planning & Sustainability — Building Permits
- 💻 ePlans electronic plan review
- 📋 Building permit guides & checklists
- 🪪 GA contractor licensing (Secretary of State)
- 📘 Georgia State Minimum Codes (DCA)
- 🗺️ DeKalb zoning
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
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More Georgia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the DeKalb County Department of Planning & Sustainability before filing. This is not legal advice.