Dunwoody building permits come from the Community Development Department, and all construction activities in the city require a permit. The department's stated purpose is to regulate building and construction, administer the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes, and establish permitting and inspection procedures.
The system changed recently and both names still circulate. On August 4, 2025 Dunwoody's Community Development operations moved to CentralSquare, replacing iWorQ. A Contractor Account is required to apply.
Applies inside the Dunwoody city limits, incorporated 2008. Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and unincorporated DeKalb County each permit their own work.
Pictures are not accepted in lieu of inspections. And insulation cannot be installed for the rough-in — it is a visual obstruction, so the insulation inspection follows the rough-in. Insulating early to keep a schedule means pulling it back out.
What requires a permit in Dunwoody?
Dunwoody incorporated in 2008, the first of the DeKalb County new cities. All construction activities in the city require a permit through the Community Development Department, whose stated purpose is to regulate building and construction in Dunwoody, administer and enforce the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes, and establish procedures for permitting and inspection.
The system changed recently and both names are still in circulation. On August 4, 2025 Dunwoody's Community Development operations moved to CentralSquare, replacing the old system, iWorQ. Users with an account access CentralSquare to submit new permit applications and code complaints; anyone with an application or complaint that predates the move should contact staff to make sure their information transferred.
To apply through the portal you must have a Contractor Account. And after submitting, the city asks a small but important extra step: email the permits address to alert Community Development staff that you have uploaded your application and plans. An upload with no email can sit unnoticed.
The enforced code is the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes — the 2024 International Building Code and 2024 International Residential Code with Georgia Amendments, alongside the 2024 International Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code with the 2026 Georgia Amendments. Georgia turned its codes over on January 1, 2026. The Board of Community Affairs, acting on the recommendation of the State Codes Advisory Committee, adopted the 2024 editions of the building, residential, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, and swimming pool and spa codes, together with the 2023 National Electrical Code carrying the 2026 Georgia Amendments. A project drawn to the previous editions is drawn to a superseded code, and the Georgia Amendments — not the base I-Code text — are what the plan reviewer reads.
Permit required
- All construction activities within the city
- New construction, additions, deck replacement, retaining walls, swimming pools, permanent signs, and fire sprinklers — all of which require plan review
- Land disturbance
- Plumbing, electrical, low voltage, heating and air conditioning, and utility work
- Development permits where the project went before a board or commission
- Interior remodelling or additions, which trigger smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements
- Work that may also need DeKalb County, Georgia DOT, or state environmental permits
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, and other cosmetic work
- Ordinary repairs that do not touch structure or a regulated system
- Work outside the city limits — unincorporated DeKalb, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and Sandy Springs all differ
- Like-for-like replacements that do not alter a regulated system
Dunwoody building department: who handles permitting
Community Development is reached on 678-382-6800, with the Permit Desk on 678-382-6821 and a dedicated permits email address. Code enforcement runs on its own line and address. The Permit Desk is also where you obtain construction specifications, the plan review checklist, details, buffer regulations, and stormwater regulations.
Permit fees are based on construction valuation, and Dunwoody calculates that valuation itself: the city derives it from the floor area of the project and a pre-determined cost per square foot based on the type of construction. That means the figure follows the city's table rather than your contract price, so quoting from a contract value can mislead a client.
Several approvals sit outside the city. Additional permits may be required from DeKalb County, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Environmental Protection Division, or the Dunwoody Public Works Department, and outside-agency review can add materially to the overall timeline.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | City of Dunwoody Community Development Department |
| Scope | Inside the Dunwoody city limits — incorporated 2008 |
| Community Development | 678-382-6800 |
| Permit Desk | 678-382-6821 |
| Portal | CentralSquare — replaced iWorQ on August 4, 2025 |
| Account | A Contractor Account is required to apply online |
| After uploading | Email the permits address to alert staff |
| Valuation | Floor area times a pre-determined cost per square foot |
Pictures are not accepted in lieu of inspections in the City of Dunwoody. And the insulation cannot be installed for the rough-in inspection — it is considered a visual obstruction, so the insulation inspection is conducted after the rough-in. Insulating early to keep a schedule moving means pulling it back out.
Dunwoody sits inside DeKalb County but is not permitted by it, and it borders Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville. Some third-party listings still name eTRAKiT or iWorQ as Dunwoody's portal; the city's own notice says operations moved to CentralSquare on August 4, 2025.
Dunwoody permits: record types and what each covers
Dunwoody's records include several that only appear once you look at the residential checklists — the agent form, the deck detail, the alarm requirements. These are the records you will file:
Residential permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | New dwellings, additions, and accessory structures above the local size threshold | Full plan review against the 2024 IRC with Georgia Amendments, plus zoning | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural changes, layout changes, or added plumbing, mechanical, or electrical | Plan review scaled to scope; existing-building provisions apply only where locally adopted | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Roof covering replacement, recover, and structural deck repair | Dry-in and deck inspection; plan review rarely required | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Rooftop or ground-mount arrays, with or without battery storage | Electrical review led, with structural review of the attachment | Flat or system-size based |
| Battery energy storage | Wall or floor-mounted storage added to a dwelling | Electrical review plus fire separation and location check | Flat or per-permit minimum |
| Electrical | Service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, EV chargers, and rewiring | Trade review; filed as its own record under a Class I or Class II licence | Per-permit minimum or per-device |
| Plumbing | New piping, repipes, fixtures, gas piping, and water heater replacement | Trade review under a Journeyman or Master licence | Per-permit minimum or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Changeouts, new ductwork, and refrigeration | Trade review; conditioned air licence class keyed to system capacity | Per-permit minimum or per-unit |
| Deck and porch | New decks, screened porches, and structural rebuilds | Footing and framing review against the residential code | Flat or valuation-based |
| Pool and spa | In-ground and above-ground pools, spas, barriers, and bonding | Structural, barrier, and electrical bonding review under the 2024 ISPSC | Valuation-based |
| Accessory structure | Sheds, detached garages, and carports above the local size threshold | Zoning first, then structural review where applicable | Flat or valuation-based |
| Demolition | Full or partial demolition of a structure | Utility disconnect verification and asbestos notification | Flat |
| Land disturbance | Clearing, grading, and any disturbance above the local threshold | Erosion and sedimentation review on its own statutory clock | Per-acre or valuation-based |
| Authorized Permit Agent form | Submitting licences on behalf of another individual | Filed alongside the contractor's licence, business licence, and photo ID | No separate fee |
| Prescriptive deck detail | A single-span, single-level residential deck | A copy must be on the job site for each required inspection | No separate fee |
Commercial permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | Ground-up commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings | Full multi-discipline review; sealed plans required | Valuation-based |
| Tenant build-out | Interior fit-ups and suite build-outs in an existing shell | Concurrent building, trade, and fire review | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural, envelope, or system changes to an existing building | Plan review scaled to scope; accessibility triggers attach | Valuation-based |
| Change of occupancy | Converting a building from one occupancy classification to another | Life-safety, accessibility, and zoning review | Valuation or flat |
| Shell building | A building permitted without a known tenant or use | Shell review only; no certificate of occupancy until a build-out closes | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Commercial roof covering replacement or recover | Structural check on added dead load; fire review where applicable | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Commercial rooftop, carport, and ground-mount arrays | Structural, electrical, and fire access review | Valuation or system-size based |
| Electrical | Service, distribution, and branch circuit work | Trade review; separate record from the building permit | Valuation or per-device |
| Plumbing | Supply, waste, vent, grease, and gas systems | Trade review; backflow and grease interceptor sign-offs attach | Valuation or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Rooftop units, ductwork, exhaust, and refrigeration | Trade review; energy compliance documented against the 2015 IECC | Valuation or per-unit |
| Fire protection | Sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, hood, and suppression systems | Fire review under the state Safety Fire Commissioner's adopted codes | Valuation or per-device |
| Sign | Wall, monument, and illuminated signage | Zoning review plus electrical where illuminated | Flat or per-sign |
| Land disturbance | Site clearing, grading, and stormwater installation | Erosion and sedimentation review as a Local Issuing Authority | Per-acre or valuation-based |
| Development permit | A project that went before a board, commission, or council | May be required even where administrative approval was obtained | Set by the city |
| Outside agency review | Projects touching county, state, or environmental jurisdiction | DeKalb County, Georgia DOT, the conservation commission, or EPD | Set by that agency |
Residential
- Single-discipline review in most cases
- Trade records filed separately under Chapter 14 licences regardless of job value
- State licence required once the work exceeds the statutory threshold, per project
- A private professional provider may be engaged to shorten the review path
Commercial — multi-discipline
- Concurrent review across building, trades, fire, and zoning
- Signed and sealed plans across every affected discipline
- Land-disturbance review runs on its own statutory clock under Title 12
- Accessibility and life-safety review attach to any change of occupancy
Records you will actually see in Dunwoody
| Record | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Building permit | All construction activities within the city |
| Development permit | Often required where the project went before a board, commission, or council |
| Trade permits | Plumbing, electrical, low voltage, heating and air conditioning, and utility work |
| Land disturbance permit | Site work, subject to buffer and stormwater regulations |
| Contractor Account | Required before you can apply through the portal |
| Authorized Permit Agent form | Where you are submitting licences on behalf of another individual |
| Prescriptive deck detail | State deck details, a copy of which must be on the job site |
| Certificate of Completion or Occupancy | Always issued at final, depending on the scope of work |
Solar permits in Dunwoody
Solar is filed as its own record across Georgia rather than as a line item on a building permit, and it is reviewed on two tracks at once: the electrical side (conductors, overcurrent protection, rapid shutdown, labelling, and the service or supply-side connection, all against the 2023 National Electrical Code with the 2026 Georgia Amendments) and the structural side (attachment detail, rail spacing, and whether the existing framing carries the added dead load).
Solar in Dunwoody is filed in CentralSquare under a Contractor Account, and the same inspection rules apply: no photographs in place of a visit, and an inspector whose arrival time cannot be fixed because staff work as combination inspectors across trades.
The covenant question comes up on nearly every residential array, and Georgia answers it less generously than several neighbouring states. Georgia's Solar Power Free-Market Financing Act (O.C.G.A. § 44-3-113 and Title 46, Chapter 3, Article 8) makes third-party solar financing lawful and limits a property owners' association's ability to prohibit solar outright, but Georgia gives homeowners materially less protection than North Carolina or Florida do: an association retains real authority over placement and appearance, and a covenant restricting where panels may sit on the roof will usually stand. Read the covenants before designing the array, not after.
Utility interconnection runs on its own clock alongside the permit. Georgia Power and the state's electric membership corporations each set their own application, meter, and witness-test sequence, and permission to operate is not something the building department controls — plan for the two tracks to finish at different times.
Roofing permits in Dunwoody
A roof covering replacement needs a permit across most of Georgia. The permit is usually quick, but it is not optional, and the inspection that matters happens before the covering goes on rather than after.
Because Georgia enforces a statewide minimum code, there is no state product-approval database to search and no approval number to cite on the application. The assembly has to comply with the adopted code and the manufacturer's listed installation instructions, and that pairing is what the inspector checks — which makes the manufacturer's instructions a document worth having on site.
Reroofs inside Dunwoody are city permits, valued by the city rather than from your contract — the valuation comes from floor area and a pre-determined cost per square foot for the construction type, so quoting a client from the contract price can mislead them.
Sequencing is where reroofs go wrong. The deck and dry-in condition has to be visible when the inspector arrives, so covering it first means opening it back up. Where a previous layer has been torn off, expect attention to deck fastening and to any sheathing replaced along the eaves.
Dunwoody permit cost
Dunwoody bases permit fees on construction valuation, and the city calculates that valuation from the floor area of the project and a pre-determined cost per square foot based on the type of construction. Fee estimation examples and the fee schedule are published, and the department will discuss fees for a specific project by phone.
Payment methods are limited in a way worth checking before you rely on them. The city accepts card payments online, and accepts cheque, cash, or card in person — but has historically not accepted payment by phone or by credit card authorisation form. Confirm the current position before assuming a remote payment route.
Outside agencies are the schedule cost. Many projects require review and approval by DeKalb County among others, which the city notes may add to the overall process time. That is time the building department does not control and cannot compress.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Based on construction valuation calculated by the city |
| Valuation basis | Floor area times a pre-determined cost per square foot by construction type |
| Payment | Card online, or cheque, cash, or card in person |
| Plan review | Required for most major projects, including decks and retaining walls |
| Outside agencies | DeKalb County, DOT, and state agencies charge and schedule separately |
| Fee estimation | Published examples and a fee schedule, plus advice by phone |
Want a precise number for a specific Dunwoody project? Send us the scope and we will price the permit path before you file.
Dunwoody trade permits
Dunwoody cites the trade licensing statute directly on its own FAQ, and its first-time submission requirements are more specific than most cities in the metro.
First-time submissions carry three documents
Upload the general contractor's licence, the business licence, and a government-issued photo ID of the contractor when submitting to Dunwoody for the first time.
Agent form for third-party submissions
If you are submitting licences on behalf of another individual, you also need a completed Authorized Permit Agent Form.
Trade licensing is quoted directly
The city cites Georgia law requiring all persons contracting or performing for hire any plumbing, electrical, low voltage, heating and air conditioning, or utility work to be duly and currently licensed by the state licensing board for that work.
Inspectors work as combination inspectors
Inspection staff are limited and work across trades, and the time an inspector spends on a job site is unpredictable — which is why set inspection times cannot be scheduled.
Dunwoody permit application: how to apply step by step
Here is how to get a building permit in Dunwoody, from confirming the requirement through to close-out. Each step below corresponds to a real decision point where projects commonly stall.
Dunwoody incorporated in 2008 and permits its own work. Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and unincorporated DeKalb all border it and permit separately.
You must have a Contractor Account to apply through the portal. Note that the city moved to CentralSquare on August 4, 2025 — if you hold an application or complaint from before then, check with staff that it transferred.
On a first submission to Dunwoody, upload the general contractor's licence, business licence, and a government-issued photo ID of the contractor. If you are submitting licences on someone else's behalf, add the Authorized Permit Agent Form.
The Permit Desk supplies construction specifications, the plan review checklist, details, buffer regulations, and stormwater regulations. Most major projects need plan review — new construction, additions, deck replacement, land disturbance, retaining walls, swimming pools, permanent signs, and fire sprinklers.
Upload a digital copy of the plans with the application, then email the permits address to alert Community Development staff. Check whether DeKalb County, Georgia DOT, or state agencies also need to review, as that adds to the overall time.
Photographs are never accepted in place of an inspection, and insulation cannot be installed before the rough-in because it obstructs the view. Once the job passes final, the city always issues either a Certificate of Completion or a Certificate of Occupancy depending on scope.
Inspections in Dunwoody
Dunwoody's inspection staff work as combination inspectors, covering several trades rather than one each. Because the length of time an inspector spends on a job site is unpredictable, the city does not schedule set times — a constraint worth explaining to a client expecting an appointment.
Two rules are absolute. Pictures are not accepted in lieu of inspections, so a photographed rough-in is not an inspected rough-in. And insulation cannot be installed for the rough-in inspection because it is a visual obstruction; the insulation inspection follows the rough-in rather than accompanying it.
At the end, the city always issues either a Certificate of Completion or a Certificate of Occupancy, depending on the scope of work, when the job has passed final inspection. The city's own guidance to homeowners is that it may be in their interest to require the contractor to produce the appropriate document before final payment — worth knowing on both sides of that conversation.
Where a prescriptive deck detail is used, a copy must be on the job site and available to the inspector during each required inspection. a Georgia building permit generally becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencing, under the administrative provisions of the adopted International Building and Residential Codes — local ordinance may set a different period, and extensions are usually available in writing on request.
Dunwoody permit search and official resources
Dunwoody publishes its permitting guidance, FAQs, and portal instructions through Community Development, alongside its fee schedule and estimation examples.
- Dunwoody Permits & Inspections
- Permits and Inspections FAQs
- Small business building permits
- Community Development contacts
- DCA — current Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes
- Georgia Secretary of State — verify a contractor licence
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in Dunwoody, GA?
The City of Dunwoody Community Development Department. All construction activities in the city require a permit through that department, which administers and enforces the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes locally.
What portal does Dunwoody use?
CentralSquare. On August 4, 2025 Dunwoody's Community Development operations moved to CentralSquare, replacing the old system, iWorQ. If you had an existing application or complaint, contact staff to make sure the information transferred correctly.
Do I need an account to apply?
Yes. To apply for a permit through the online portal you must have a Contractor Account, and the city publishes instructions for setting one up.
Do I need to do anything after uploading my application?
Yes — email the city's permits address to alert Community Development staff that you have uploaded your application and plans. It is a small step and it prevents a submission sitting unnoticed.
Can I send photos instead of having an inspection?
No. Pictures are not accepted in lieu of inspections in the City of Dunwoody.
Can insulation be in place for the rough-in inspection?
No. Insulation cannot be installed for the rough-in inspection because it is considered a visual obstruction. The insulation inspection is conducted after the rough-in.
Why can I not get a set inspection time?
The inspection staff is limited and works as combination inspectors, and the length of time an inspector might be on a job site is unpredictable — which makes scheduling set times impractical.
How does Dunwoody calculate permit fees?
Fees are based on construction valuation, and the city calculates that valuation from the floor area of the project and a pre-determined cost per square foot based on the type of construction. Fee schedules and estimation examples are published.
What documents do I need on a first submission?
Upload the general contractor's licence, business licence, and a government-issued photo ID of the contractor if submitting to Dunwoody for the first time. If you are submitting licences on behalf of another individual, add a completed Authorized Permit Agent Form.
Are other agencies involved in a Dunwoody permit?
They can be. Additional permits may be required from DeKalb County, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Environmental Protection Division, or the Dunwoody Public Works Department, which can add to the overall process time.
What certificate do I get at the end?
The city always issues either a Certificate of Completion or a Certificate of Occupancy, depending on the scope of work, once the job has passed final inspection.
Is Dunwoody aware of permit payment scams?
Yes — the city has published a warning about fraudulent emails targeting residents and businesses with planning-related applications, in which scammers pose as City staff, send fake invoices, and request payment by electronic wire transfer. The city never uses wire transfers for these matters.
Simplify Dunwoody permitting with Alliance Permitting
Dunwoody changed systems in 2025, calculates your valuation for you, will not accept a photograph in place of an inspection, and has had to warn its own residents about invoice fraud. It is a small department with clear rules and several places to trip: the wrong portal, a missing alert email, insulation in too early, or an invoice that never came from the city. A permit expediter for Dunwoody watches all four.
Trusted by leading builders, developers, and national contractors — 21 years of filing in the jurisdictions we write about.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Dunwoody because the work is done by people who have stood at the counter:
- Right system, right account — CentralSquare with a proper Contractor Account, and the alert email sent after upload.
- Inspection sequence protected — rough-in before insulation, and no reliance on photographs to close a stage.
- Complete oversight — every Dunwoody permit, outside-agency approval, and inspection tracked across your jobs in one place.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and expediting service. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice, and we are not the permitting authority.
Ready to break ground in Dunwoody sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Dunwoody permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Georgia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Dunwoody permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.