The City of Riverdale Building and Permitting Division handles permit issuance, plan review and inspections for commercial and residential work inside city limits. Applications are submitted online through the City’s Online Services portal.
What requires a permit in Riverdale?
Riverdale’s permit page lists interior and exterior renovations to commercial and residential buildings (such as roofing, siding, decks and garages), plumbing, electrical and HVAC work, signs, commercial fences, special events and yard sales among the work that needs a permit.
Fire and police approvals may also be required for some permits, such as special events.
Who issues building permits in Riverdale?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Local authority | City of Riverdale Building & Permitting Division |
| Office | 971 Wilson Road, Riverdale, GA 30296 |
| Phone | 770-909-5486 (Permit Coordinator) |
| Hours | Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Property in unincorporated Clayton County is permitted by Clayton County, not the City.
Riverdale permit types and filing workflow
Riverdale asks applicants to submit completed applications online through Citizenserve, the City’s Online Services portal. Upload a current property survey, dimensioned site plan drawings, contractor credentials and the property owner’s affidavit; the City may ask for more documents.
The City publishes separate building, land disturbance, sign and trade permit applications. Only the property owner, architect, engineer or general contractor should sign the building permit application, or an authorized agent for a Georgia licensed contractor.
Permit fees in Riverdale
Riverdale’s fee schedule (updated 11/2023) adds a $25 application fee to building permits, which include three inspections. Permits valued from $1 to $25,000 cost $14 for each $1,000, with lower rates per $1,000 above that. Commercial plan review is 50% of the permit fee.
The fee schedule lists a $75 re-inspection fee; the older building permit application form still shows $60. All fees must be paid before the permit is issued.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other trade permits
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work need their own trade permits. Each costs $80 plus $5 for each $1,000 of work value and includes one inspection.
Application documents and plan review
The building permit application asks for the cost of construction, floor area, building height, zoning, occupancy classification, setbacks and whether the site uses septic or sewer. The applicant’s signature must be notarized.
How to apply: 6-step Riverdale process
Make sure the property is inside Riverdale city limits rather than unincorporated Clayton County.
Identify the building permit and any trade, sign or land disturbance permits.
Prepare the application, survey, dimensioned site plan, contractor credentials and owner’s affidavit.
Submit through Citizenserve, the City’s Online Services portal.
Respond to review comments and pay all fees before issuance.
Call in each inspection at least 24 hours ahead and obtain the certificate of occupancy or completion.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Riverdale inspections
Riverdale conducts inspections on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Inspections must be called in at least 24 hours in advance.
A re-inspection or additional inspection costs $75 under the 2023 fee schedule.
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
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Official Riverdale 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
- Building permit application
- Applications and forms
- Building & Permitting Services
Riverdale permit FAQs
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Does Riverdale issue its own building permits?
Yes. The City’s Building and Permitting Division issues permits and inspects work inside Riverdale city limits.
How do I apply for a Riverdale building permit?
Submit the completed application and documents online through Citizenserve, which the City website links as Online Services.
How are Riverdale inspections requested?
Inspections take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and must be called in at least 24 hours in advance.
Do trade permits have their own requirements in Riverdale?
Yes. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work each need a separate trade permit.
How much are Riverdale trade permits?
The 2023 fee schedule lists $80 plus $5 for each $1,000 of work value for each electrical, plumbing or HVAC permit.
Simplify Riverdale permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →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.
Ready to break ground in Riverdale sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Riverdale permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Georgia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Riverdale permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.