The Building Department within the City of Snellville Department of Planning & Development reviews plans, issues building permits and inspects work inside city limits.
What requires a permit in Snellville?
Snellville’s permitting page includes a table of work that needs a building permit. It is not a complete list. Examples include:
- New residential and commercial construction
- Additions, alterations and changes of occupancy
- Electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing system work
- Swimming pools and hot tubs, decks, porches and roofed accessory structures over 20 sq ft
- Interior remodels involving framing, drywall or lighting, and basement finishes
- Generators, new electrical circuits and furnace or HVAC replacement
Painting, tiling, flooring, trim work, kitchen cabinet remodels and residential fencing do not need a building permit.
Who issues building permits in Snellville?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | City of Snellville Department of Planning & Development |
| Phone | 770-985-3513 or 770-985-3514 |
| Location | Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, GA 30078 |
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Get a free quote →Property in unincorporated Gwinnett County is permitted by Gwinnett County, not the City.
Snellville permit types and filing path
For a commercial building permit, submit three sets of Gwinnett County Fire Marshal-approved building plans with a completed and signed Building Plan Submittal Form. The City collects a plan review fee when it receives the plans.
Plans are reviewed on Fridays only, first come, first served. The City says initial plan review can take up to four weeks but is generally completed in less than two weeks. After approval, submit the building permit application with water and sewer tap receipts from Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources; interior finish permits do not need the receipts.
Permit costs and fees in Snellville
Under the fee schedule effective April 1, 2025, permit fees for new complete construction are $6 per $1,000 of construction value, using ICC Building Valuation Data. Building permit fees include building inspections but not plan review or re-inspections.
Minor renovations under $15,000 cost $80 for one- and two-family homes and $100 for non-residential work. The schedule lists trade permits (HVAC, plumbing, electric) at $50 and a building re-inspection at $50. A $50 certificate of occupancy fee is added to commercial building permits.
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Get a free quote →Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work
Plumbing, electrical and HVAC subcontractors must complete subcontractor affidavits and provide copies of their business licence and state licence. The general contractor must make sure these are submitted to the Planning Department before any inspections are scheduled.
General contractors must register with the City once a year with a current Georgia business licence.
Application documents and plan review
The City publishes information sheets for residential additions, roofed accessory structures, swimming pools, decks and porches, and fences and walls, plus an example site location plan.
A construction trailer on site needs a City Temporary Trailer Permit.
How to apply: 6-step Snellville process
Make sure the parcel is inside Snellville city limits rather than unincorporated Gwinnett County.
For commercial work, have the plans approved by the Gwinnett County Fire Marshal first.
Turn in three plan sets with the Building Plan Submittal Form and pay the plan review fee.
After plan approval, submit the building permit application with the Gwinnett County water and sewer tap receipts.
Make sure every plumbing, electrical and HVAC subcontractor affidavit is in before inspections.
Call for each inspection at least 24 hours ahead and pass the final inspection for the certificate of occupancy.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Snellville inspections
Request inspections by calling 770-985-3513 or 770-985-3514 at least 24 hours in advance. Inspections are performed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only.
Keep the Fire Marshal-approved and City-approved “Keep on Job Site” plans at the site.
Local Snellville details that matter
Friday plan review: The City states commercial building plans are reviewed on Fridays on a first-come, first-served basis.
Utility taps: For new commercial construction, the City states water and sewer tap receipts from Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources are required before permit issuance; interior finish permits are excepted from that receipt requirement.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →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 Snellville 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 Standard Codes
- Snellville fee schedule
- Snellville Building & Development Permitting
- Snellville Building Permits & Inspections
- DCA effective-date memorandum
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Get a free quote →Snellville permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in Snellville?
The Building Department within the City of Snellville Department of Planning & Development issues building permits for property inside city limits.
Where do I start a Snellville permit?
Commercial projects start by submitting three sets of Fire Marshal-approved plans with the Building Plan Submittal Form. For other work, call Planning & Development at 770-985-3513 or 770-985-3514.
When are commercial plans reviewed?
On Fridays only, first come, first served. Initial review can take up to four weeks but is generally completed in less than two weeks.
How should I budget permit fees?
New construction is $6 per $1,000 of construction value using ICC Building Valuation Data. Plan review and re-inspections are charged separately.
Do subcontractors need their own permits?
Commercial subcontractors file affidavits with copies of their business and state licences instead of paying separate permit fees. The 2025 fee schedule does list $50 trade permits.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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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.
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More Georgia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Snellville permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.