Building permits in unincorporated Gwinnett County are issued by the Department of Planning & Development, Building Permits Section, with applications filed through the county's ZIP Portal. The department issues permits for all construction in the unincorporated areas of the county — plus all county-owned and Board of Education projects regardless of location.
This Gwinnett County building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how fees work, the ZIP Portal process, subcontractor registration, trade permits, and inspections — so your Gwinnett project starts clean.
This guide covers unincorporated Gwinnett County. The county permits work outside city limits; Gwinnett's cities (Lawrenceville, Duluth, Snellville, and others) run their own permit systems. Confirm your address is unincorporated before you file. Georgia's mandatory codes updated to the 2024 International Codes effective January 1, 2026.
What requires a building permit in Gwinnett County?
Under the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes and the Gwinnett County construction code, a permit is required before you construct, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of most 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
- Site development 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 the parcel is unincorporated and apply through the ZIP Portal first.
Who handles permitting in Gwinnett County?
Permitting is administered by the Building Permits Section of the Department of Planning & Development, which also handles zoning, development, code enforcement, and inspections. Trade subcontractors must register with the department before performing permitted work.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | One Justice Square, 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 300, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 |
| Phone | 678-518-6020 (Building Permits Section) |
| Online portal | ZIP Portal (zoning, inspections, permitting) — account required |
| Subcontractors | Must register and file a Subcontractor Affidavit before construction |
| Codes & fees | Gwinnett ordinances on Municode; published fee schedule |
| Enforced code | Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes |
Apply through the ZIP Portal. Create an account to apply for permits, submit plans, search records, and schedule inspections. Trade subcontractors must first complete a Subcontractor Registration form, then submit a Subcontractor Affidavit identifying the permits they'll work under.
Gwinnett County building permit cost
Gwinnett County building permit fees are set by the department's published fee schedule and based on the type and valuation of work, with a separate building permit required for each building, structure, and addition.
Because fees are valuation-based and adjusted periodically, confirm current amounts in the ZIP Portal or the fee schedule before budgeting. Separate trade permits apply for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building / construction fee | Based on type and valuation of work; separate permit per structure |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade |
| Plan review | Assessed at submittal for plan-review projects |
| Subcontractor registration | Required before performing permitted trade work |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Required for new occupancy or change of use |
| Work-without-permit | Penalties and possible stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Gwinnett County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Gwinnett County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work generally needs its own permit and a state-licensed contractor who has registered as a Gwinnett subcontractor, each filed in the ZIP Portal.
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. Remember the Gwinnett rule that trade subcontractors must register with Planning & Development and file a Subcontractor Affidavit before starting permitted work.
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 Gwinnett County
Confirm scope & jurisdiction
Verify the work needs a permit and confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Gwinnett County, not one of its cities.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the application, valuation, stamped/sealed plans, and energy documentation; ensure subcontractors are registered.
Apply in the ZIP Portal
Create or log into your ZIP Portal account and submit the building (and trade) applications with your plan set.
Plan review & corrections
County reviewers check plans for code and zoning compliance; resolve comments and resubmit through the portal.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay the calculated fees, then download and post the permit on site with approved plans available.
Schedule inspections through close-out
Request inspections in the ZIP Portal. Clear all required inspections to obtain your Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Gwinnett County
Schedule inspections through the ZIP Portal using your permit record. Typical checkpoints include foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final. Post the permit and approved plans on site throughout construction.
A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be cleared before a final inspection or Certificate of Occupancy can be requested.
Official Gwinnett County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Gwinnett Planning & Development
- 💻 Building Services & ZIP Portal
- 💵 Building permit fee schedule
- 🪪 GA contractor licensing (Secretary of State)
- 📘 Georgia State Minimum Codes (DCA)
- 📖 Gwinnett County ordinances
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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 Gwinnett County Department of Planning & Development before filing. This is not legal advice.