Fairburn, Georgia Building Permit Guide

The City of Fairburn Building Division issues building permits, reviews plans and inspects construction inside the City.

What requires a permit in Fairburn?

Fairburn lists permits for new residential and commercial construction, additions/build-outs, fences, retaining walls, accessory structures, decks/stoops/porches above the City’s stated height trigger, structural alterations, room additions, regulated trade work, pools/hot tubs/fountains and demolition.

The City lists triggers for several of these: accessory structures of 100 square feet and over, decks, stoops and porches over 29 inches high, and pools, hot tubs and fountains holding at least 24 inches of water.

The City says its list is not all-inclusive, so ask the Building Division before starting work that is not listed.

Who issues building permits in Fairburn?

Permit costs and fees in Fairburn

Fairburn's fee schedule (Resolution 2023-01) sets a minimum permit fee of $300 for residential and commercial work. Permits valued up to $25,000 are $14 per $1,000, with lower rates per $1,000 above that. Residential plan review is $150, non-refundable and due at application.

Valuation for new construction is the contract cost or the latest ICC building valuation data. The schedule also lists site plan review and erosion control charges separately from the building permit.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work

Fairburn states that trade work other than minor repair performed by the homeowner requires a permit, and that work performed by a licensed trade individual requires a permit.

Contractors applying for a permit supply their state licence, business licence and the licence holder's driver's licence. Subcontractors also supply a subcontractor affidavit with the same credentials.

Application documents and plan review

Fairburn publishes supporting-document guidance and project-specific processes for decks, electrical reconnection, mechanical replacement, reroofing, residential plan review, swimming pools and rough-in inspections.

Residential plan review needs plans such as the foundation plan, floor plan, floor framing, roof plan, wall section, elevations, deck or porch details and a survey. Permits are issued only after all reviews are approved and all fees are paid.

The contractor, the homeowner or an authorized permit agent can apply. Fairburn is moving its permitting to an online portal, currently in a soft launch.

How to apply: 6-step Fairburn process

Fairburn inspections

Call the inspection request line, 770-964-2244 ext. 401, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. All inspections are next-day inspections.

You can also email the City's inspection request form to inspections@fairburn.com; requests sent before 4:00 p.m. are inspected the next business day.

Keep the inspection report on site. Deficiencies must be reinspected and approved before work continues.

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 Fairburn 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 State Minimum Codes
• Fairburn online permit portal
• Fairburn fee schedule (Resolution 2023-01)
• Fairburn Building Division

Fairburn permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Fairburn?

The City of Fairburn Building Division handles building permits and inspections.

What is Fairburn’s inspection cutoff?

Call inspection requests in between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, for a next-day inspection.

Does Fairburn publish building permit fees?

Yes. The minimum permit fee is $300 and residential plan review is $150.

Are trade permits required in Fairburn?

Yes, for anything other than minor repair work done by the homeowner. Any work by a licensed trade individual needs a permit.

Is Fairburn permitting online?

Partly. The City is moving to an online portal and calls it a soft launch.

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