Stonecrest building permits come from the Building and Permitting Division, responsible for administering and enforcing the Georgia State minimum standard code and the related permitting and inspection procedures within the city, which incorporated in 2017.
Filing is entirely electronic. Applications and payments are no longer accepted by mail, and payment is accepted online only through CitizenServe, which also carries licensing, planning and zoning, and code enforcement.
Applies inside the Stonecrest city limits. Unincorporated DeKalb County, Lithonia, and neighbouring Rockdale County each permit their own work — and life safety inspections run through the DeKalb County Fire Marshal.
The application carries a criminal warning. Signing acknowledges that a permit may be revoked for misrepresentation of a material fact, and that knowingly false statements subject the applicant to possible prosecution under the Georgia Criminal Code.
What requires a permit in Stonecrest?
Stonecrest incorporated in 2017, one of the last of the DeKalb County new cities. The Building and Permitting Division is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Georgia State minimum standard code and the related procedures for permitting and inspection of buildings within the city, reviewing plans and inspecting all residential and commercial structures built or remodelled inside it.
Filing is entirely electronic. Applications and payments are no longer accepted by mail, and payment is accepted online only, through the CitizenServe portal that also handles licensing, planning and zoning, code enforcement, and general requests.
Fire is not a city function here, which distinguishes Stonecrest from some of its neighbours. Life safety inspections are scheduled with the DeKalb County Fire Marshal's office, on a routing sheet issued by the city's Planning and Zoning division — so a business occupancy in Stonecrest involves the county as well as the city.
Georgia moved to the 2024 editions of its State Minimum Standard Codes, with Georgia Amendments, on January 1, 2026. Stonecrest also references the National Green Building Standard with Georgia Amendments, one of the state's permissive codes. Georgia splits its codes into mandatory and permissive. The mandatory codes apply to all construction in the state whether or not the local government enforces them — a jurisdiction with no inspection department does not become a jurisdiction with no code. The permissive codes (property maintenance, existing building, and the national green building standard) bind only where a city or county has adopted them. Ask which list your jurisdiction is working from before assuming a requirement does or does not attach.
Permit required
- Residential and commercial construction and remodelling within the city
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
- Land disturbance, including an initial erosion control inspection where applicable
- Right-of-way encroachment, on its own permit
- Special inspections under Chapter 17 of the building code, where design professionals are involved
- Business occupancy, which requires a life safety inspection through the county
- Zoning confirmation, obtained at a pre-application meeting
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, and other cosmetic work
- Ordinary repairs that do not touch structure or a regulated system
- Work outside the city limits — unincorporated DeKalb, Lithonia, and Conyers all differ
- Like-for-like replacements that do not alter a regulated system
Stonecrest building department: who handles permitting
The city works from 3120 Stonecrest Boulevard, Suite 190, Stonecrest, GA 30038, with every division on 770-224-0200 and hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. The Building Department, Planning and Zoning, Business Licensing, and Code Enforcement each have their own email address at the same location.
Review timing is published and conditional. Internal reviews — those done by City staff — take up to 10 business days upon approval by other required agencies. That last clause matters: the 10 days start after the outside approvals land, not when you upload, so an outstanding agency review does not run concurrently with the city's clock.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Submittals are digital and size-limited: one digital PDF of plans with a 50 MB maximum individual file size. Where design professionals are involved, construction must comply with the special inspection provisions of the building code, and the special inspections listed on the plans cover page are turned in to the city building official.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority | City of Stonecrest Building and Permitting Division |
| Scope | Inside the Stonecrest city limits — incorporated 2017 |
| Address | 3120 Stonecrest Boulevard, Suite 190, Stonecrest, GA 30038 |
| Phone | 770-224-0200 — all divisions |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm |
| Portal | CitizenServe — permits, licensing, zoning, code enforcement |
| Internal review | Up to 10 business days after other agencies approve |
| Life safety | Scheduled with the DeKalb County Fire Marshal's office |
All inspection requests must be made via the CitizenServe Permitting Portal. That includes the initial erosion control inspection on a land disturbance project, which is scheduled through the portal or by calling the city — but not by emailing an inspector directly.
Stonecrest borders unincorporated DeKalb County, Lithonia, and Rockdale County, and its business licensing interacts with DeKalb County's: existing licence holders can renew online with the city only where the existing licence was issued by Stonecrest rather than by DeKalb County.
In 2025, building permits issued in Stonecrest authorized 87 new privately owned housing units, all of them single-family homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.
Stonecrest permits: record types and what each covers
Stonecrest's records run through one portal but reach two governments, because life safety sits with the county. These are the records you will file:
Residential permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | New dwellings, additions, and accessory structures above the local size threshold | Full plan review against the 2024 IRC with Georgia Amendments, plus zoning | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural changes, layout changes, or added plumbing, mechanical, or electrical | Plan review scaled to scope; existing-building provisions apply only where locally adopted | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Roof covering replacement, recover, and structural deck repair | Dry-in and deck inspection; plan review rarely required | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Rooftop or ground-mount arrays, with or without battery storage | Electrical review led, with structural review of the attachment | Flat or system-size based |
| Battery energy storage | Wall or floor-mounted storage added to a dwelling | Electrical review plus fire separation and location check | Flat or per-permit minimum |
| Electrical | Service changes, panel upgrades, new circuits, EV chargers, and rewiring | Trade review; filed as its own record under a Class I or Class II licence | Per-permit minimum or per-device |
| Plumbing | New piping, repipes, fixtures, gas piping, and water heater replacement | Trade review; filed under a Master Plumber Class I or Class II licence | Per-permit minimum or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Changeouts, new ductwork, and refrigeration | Trade review; conditioned air licence class keyed to system capacity | Per-permit minimum or per-unit |
| Deck and porch | New decks, screened porches, and structural rebuilds | Footing and framing review against the residential code | Flat or valuation-based |
| Pool and spa | In-ground and above-ground pools, spas, barriers, and bonding | Structural, barrier, and electrical bonding review under the 2024 ISPSC | Valuation-based |
| Accessory structure | Sheds, detached garages, and carports above the local size threshold | Zoning first, then structural review where applicable | Flat or valuation-based |
| Demolition | Full or partial demolition of a structure | Utility disconnect verification and asbestos notification | Flat |
| Land disturbance | Clearing, grading, and any disturbance above the local threshold | Erosion and sedimentation review on its own statutory clock | Per-acre or valuation-based |
| Initial erosion control inspection | Land disturbance projects where applicable | Scheduled through CitizenServe or by calling the city | Set by the city |
| Right-of-way encroachment permit | Work affecting the public right of way | Instructions published with the permit application packet | Set by the city |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Commercial permit types
| Permit type | What triggers it | Review path | Fee basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New construction | Ground-up commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings | Full multi-discipline review; sealed plans required | Valuation-based |
| Tenant build-out | Interior fit-ups and suite build-outs in an existing shell | Concurrent building, trade, and fire review | Valuation-based |
| Renovation / alteration | Structural, envelope, or system changes to an existing building | Plan review scaled to scope; accessibility triggers attach | Valuation-based |
| Change of occupancy | Converting a building from one occupancy classification to another | Life-safety, accessibility, and zoning review | Valuation or flat |
| Shell building | A building permitted without a known tenant or use | Shell review only; no certificate of occupancy until a build-out closes | Valuation-based |
| Reroof | Commercial roof covering replacement or recover | Structural check on added dead load; fire review where applicable | Valuation or squares |
| Solar photovoltaic | Commercial rooftop, carport, and ground-mount arrays | Structural, electrical, and fire access review | Valuation or system-size based |
| Electrical | Service, distribution, and branch circuit work | Trade review; separate record from the building permit | Valuation or per-device |
| Plumbing | Supply, waste, vent, grease, and gas systems | Trade review; backflow and grease interceptor sign-offs attach | Valuation or per-fixture |
| Mechanical / HVAC | Rooftop units, ductwork, exhaust, and refrigeration | Trade review; energy compliance documented against the 2015 IECC | Valuation or per-unit |
| Fire protection | Sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, hood, and suppression systems | Fire review under the state Safety Fire Commissioner's adopted codes | Valuation or per-device |
| Sign | Wall, monument, and illuminated signage | Zoning review plus electrical where illuminated | Flat or per-sign |
| Land disturbance | Site clearing, grading, and stormwater installation | Erosion and sedimentation review as a Local Issuing Authority | Per-acre or valuation-based |
| Special inspection reports | Construction involving design professionals | Listed on the plans cover page and turned in to the building official | Paid to the inspection agency |
| Life safety inspection | Business occupancy | Scheduled with the DeKalb County Fire Marshal on a city routing sheet | Set by the county |
Residential
- Single-discipline review in most cases
- Trade records filed separately under Chapter 14 licences regardless of job value
- State licence required for residential work once its total value exceeds $2,500; commercial work at any value
- A private professional provider may be engaged to shorten the review path
Commercial — multi-discipline
- Concurrent review across building, trades, fire, and zoning
- Signed and sealed plans across every affected discipline
- Land-disturbance review runs on its own statutory clock under Title 12
- Accessibility and life-safety review attach to any change of occupancy
Records you will actually see in Stonecrest
| Record | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | New homes and remodelling inside the city |
| Commercial building permit | Commercial construction and tenant work |
| Trade permits (E/P/M) | Filed as their own records under Chapter 14 licences |
| Land disturbance permit | Including an initial erosion control inspection where applicable |
| Right-of-way encroachment permit | Where work affects the public right of way |
| Special inspection reports | Listed on the plans cover page and submitted to the building official |
| Life safety inspection | Routed to the DeKalb County Fire Marshal on a city-issued routing sheet |
| Business licence | Applied for through the same portal, with life safety documentation attached |
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Solar permits in Stonecrest
Solar in Stonecrest is filed through CitizenServe like every other record, and the inspection is requested there too. Where design professionals are involved, check whether special inspections appear on the plans cover page — those reports go to the city building official as they are completed.
Roofing permits in Stonecrest
Reroofs in Stonecrest are city permits filed and paid for online; there is no mail route. Plan the submittal as a single digital PDF within the city's individual file size limit rather than a set of separate sheets.
Solar and roofing work are built to the statewide codes, permit rules are set locally, and utilities run interconnection on their own timeline. Georgia rules
Stonecrest permit cost
Stonecrest takes payment online only. Applications and payments are no longer accepted by mail, so the portal is both the filing route and the checkout. Fees are assessed after the application and supporting documents are uploaded.
The review clock is the thing to plan around rather than the fee. Internal reviews take up to 10 business days upon approval by other required agencies — so on a project needing county, state, or utility sign-off, the city's 10 days queue behind those rather than running alongside them.
Business occupancy adds a county cost and a county timeline. Life safety inspections are performed by the DeKalb County Fire Marshal's office on a routing sheet the city issues, and the completed inspection document is uploaded with the business licence application.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Assessed after upload; payment accepted online only |
| By mail | Applications and payments are no longer accepted |
| Internal review | Up to 10 business days after other agencies approve |
| Plan files | One digital PDF, 50 MB maximum individual file size |
| Life safety | Performed and charged by the DeKalb County Fire Marshal |
| Special inspections | Arranged by the applicant and reported to the building official |
Want a precise number for a specific Stonecrest project? Send us the scope and we will price the permit path before you file.
Stonecrest trade permits
Stonecrest sequences the trades through one portal and one phone number, with the fire piece handled by the county and the special inspections handled by the applicant.
Everything goes through the portal
All inspection requests must be made via the CitizenServe Permitting Portal, including the initial erosion control inspection on a land disturbance job.
Inspections run in sequence
The application requires the applicant to acknowledge that all required inspections must be performed in an established sequence, and that work done in violation of the codes must be corrected or may be ordered removed.
Special inspections are yours to arrange
Where design professionals are involved, the special inspections shown on the plans cover page are arranged by the applicant and turned in to the city building official.
Fire runs through the county
Life safety inspections are scheduled with the DeKalb County Fire Marshal's office using a routing sheet issued by the city, rather than with a city fire marshal.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Georgia licenses residential contractors through a state board once a job passes $2,500, licenses commercial general contractors at any job value, and licenses electrical, plumbing and conditioned air contractors separately at any job value. Georgia rules
Stonecrest permit application: how to apply step by step
Here is how to get a building permit in Stonecrest, from confirming the requirement through to close-out. Each step below corresponds to a real decision point where projects commonly stall.
Stonecrest incorporated in 2017 and permits its own work. Unincorporated DeKalb County, Lithonia, and neighbouring Rockdale County all permit separately.
Planning and Zoning offers a pre-application meeting for zoning and land use confirmation, and issues a life safety inspection routing sheet where the project needs one. Starting there prevents a business occupancy stalling later.
Register on the portal, then apply, view review status, pay fees, and schedule inspections through it. Applications and payments are no longer accepted by mail and payment is online only.
Submit one digital PDF of plans with a 50 MB maximum individual file size. Where design professionals are involved, comply with the special inspection provisions and make sure the special inspections appear on the plans cover page.
Internal reviews by City staff take up to 10 business days upon approval by other required agencies — so outside approvals come first and the city's clock follows. An application is treated as incomplete until the required material is in.
All inspection requests go through CitizenServe, including the initial erosion control inspection. Life safety inspections are scheduled with the DeKalb County Fire Marshal's office on the city's routing sheet, and the completed document is uploaded with the business licence application.
Inspections in Stonecrest
Every inspection request in Stonecrest goes through the CitizenServe portal, which also carries review status, fee payment, and permit history. The city publishes an inspection information form and a portal help guide alongside the application packet.
The application binds the applicant to sequence. By signing, you acknowledge that all required inspections must be performed in an established sequence, and that any work done in violation of the codes must be corrected or may be ordered to be removed. That is a stronger formulation than most Georgia cities use, and it sits next to the criminal warning about false statements.
Keep the permit and approved plans on site throughout, and keep the special inspection reports moving to the building official as they are completed. a Georgia building permit generally becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencing, under the administrative provisions of the adopted International Building and Residential Codes — local ordinance may set a different period, and extensions are usually available in writing on request.
Georgia law lets an applicant use a private professional provider for plan review, with set deadlines for the building official. Georgia rules
Stonecrest permit search and official resources
Stonecrest publishes its permit application packet, portal guides, and division contacts through the city website, with CitizenServe handling every transaction.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Stonecrest Building Department
- Stonecrest CitizenServe online services
- Building permit application packet
- Stonecrest Planning & Zoning
- DCA — current Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes
- Georgia Secretary of State — verify a contractor licence
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in Stonecrest, GA?
The City of Stonecrest Building and Permitting Division, at 3120 Stonecrest Boulevard. The division administers and enforces the Georgia State minimum standard code and the related permitting and inspection procedures within the city.
Can I apply or pay by mail in Stonecrest?
No. Applications and payments are no longer accepted by mail, and payment is accepted online only through the CitizenServe portal.
How long does review take in Stonecrest?
Internal reviews — those done by City staff — take up to 10 business days upon approval by other required agencies. The city's clock therefore starts after outside approvals rather than alongside them.
How do I request an inspection?
All inspection requests must be made via the CitizenServe Permitting Portal. That includes the initial erosion control inspection on a land disturbance project, which can also be arranged by calling the city.
Who does fire and life safety inspections in Stonecrest?
The DeKalb County Fire Marshal’s office, on (404) 371-6208. The city’s Planning and Zoning division issues a routing sheet, and the completed life safety inspection document is uploaded with the business licence application.
What is the plan file size limit?
One digital PDF of plans with a 50 MB maximum individual file size.
What happens if I put wrong information on the application?
The application states that a permit may be revoked for false statements or misrepresentation as to a material fact, and that knowingly false statements in the application subject the applicant to possible prosecution under the Georgia Criminal Code.
Do I need special inspections?
Any construction requiring design professionals must comply with the special inspection provisions of the building code. The special inspections found on the plans cover page are turned in to the city building official.
What are the city's hours?
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. City Hall, the Building Department, Planning and Zoning, Business Licensing, and Code Enforcement all operate from 3120 Stonecrest Boulevard on 770-224-0200.
Can I renew my business licence with the city?
Existing licence holders can renew online with Stonecrest provided the existing licence was issued by the City of Stonecrest rather than by DeKalb County.
Does Stonecrest enforce the green building standard?
The city references the National Green Building Standard with Georgia Amendments. That is one of Georgia's permissive codes, meaning it binds where a local government has adopted it rather than automatically statewide.
When is a Georgia contractor licence required?
For residential work, once the total value of the work, or the contractor's compensation if higher, exceeds $2,500; commercial general contractors need a licence at any value. Trade licences under Title 43, Chapter 14 are required regardless of job value.
Simplify Stonecrest permitting with Alliance Permitting
Stonecrest is fully digital, clearly documented, and split across two governments at exactly the point where a business occupancy needs to move: the city permits the building, the county inspects the life safety. Add a review clock that only starts once other agencies have approved, and sequencing is everything. A permit expediter for Stonecrest keeps both tracks moving so the 10-day clock actually starts.
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Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Stonecrest because the work is done by people who have stood at the counter:
- Outside approvals first — because the city's 10 business days begin only once other required agencies have approved.
- Fire routed early — the county routing sheet obtained at pre-application rather than discovered at business licensing.
- Complete oversight — every Stonecrest permit, special inspection report, and county sign-off tracked in one place.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and expediting service. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice, and we are not the permitting authority.
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More Georgia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Stonecrest permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.