Norcross, Georgia Building Permit Guide

The City of Norcross handles building permits and inspections through its Community Development Department and Building Official. Building and land disturbance permit applications go through the City’s online plan submittal portal; inspections are booked by phone or email.

What requires a permit in Norcross?

The Building Official’s staff review plans, issue building permits and inspect construction, including structural, accessibility, electrical, plumbing, fuel gas, heating and air-conditioning work. The City publishes separate commercial and residential building permit applications, demolition, utility construction and tree removal applications, and residential exterior, interior and solar panel checklists.

Who issues building permits in Norcross?

Norcross permit types and filing workflow

All building permits and land disturbance permits are submitted through the online plan submittal portal. The portal lets applicants upload plans, follow the review, respond to comments, upload revisions and view permit records.

Changes of occupancy have their own Change of Occupancy/Business License forms.

Permit fees in Norcross

Norcross’s Community Development fee schedule (effective September 6, 2022) charges $8.00 per $1,000 of construction value, based on the 2019 ICC Building Valuation Data, for residential and commercial new construction, additions and remodels. The residential minimum is $100 plus $50 for the certificate of completion or occupancy; the commercial minimum is $150 plus $75. Re-inspections are $75.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other trade permits

The Building Official inspects electrical, plumbing, fuel gas and heating and air-conditioning work. The fee schedule lists separate trade permits; residential electrical, gas, HVAC, low-voltage, plumbing or re-roof upgrades and repairs are $30, and commercial ones $125. Trade contractors need a current Georgia licence.

Application documents and plan review

Use the residential or commercial building permit application and the matching City checklist. Upload revisions to the same record in the portal.

How to apply: 6-step Norcross process

Norcross inspections

Call the department at 678-421-2027 or email inspections@norcrossga.net by 4:30 p.m. the day before you want the inspection; do not leave requests on voicemail. Inspections usually start at 8:00 a.m. and the inspector will not call ahead.

The permit must be posted where it can be seen from the street, and erosion control must be in place before any inspection. Work that is not ready or fails is charged a $75 re-inspection fee, payable before the next inspection is booked. Third-party inspections need the Building Inspector’s approval in advance.

Local Norcross details that matter

New commercial buildings and commercial remodels must give Community Development the Gwinnett County Fire certificate of occupancy before the City issues its building certificate of occupancy. For a change of occupancy, the Gwinnett County Fire Marshal CO must be issued before the City inspection is booked.

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 Norcross permitting resources

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

• Georgia State Minimum Codes
• Norcross Community Development fee schedule
• Residential permit steps
• Norcross building inspection information sheet
• Norcross Building Official and inspections
• Norcross permit applications, forms and plan submittal

Norcross permit FAQs

Does Norcross issue its own building permits?

Yes. The City’s Community Development Department and Building Official review plans, issue building permits and inspect work inside city limits.

How do I apply for a Norcross building permit?

Submit the application and plans through the City’s online plan submittal portal, using the residential or commercial building permit application.

How are Norcross inspections requested?

Call 678-421-2027 or email inspections@norcrossga.net by 4:30 p.m. the day before the inspection.

Do trade permits have their own requirements in Norcross?

They can. The fee schedule lists separate trade permits for electrical, gas, HVAC, low-voltage and plumbing work.

What does a Norcross building permit cost?

$8.00 per $1,000 of construction value, with a $100 residential or $150 commercial minimum plus the certificate fee, under the fee schedule effective September 6, 2022.

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