County Building Permits
DeKalb County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Covers unincorporated DeKalb County only. For incorporated city parcels, applicants start with the city permit office and then route to county services only if required.
- Department
- DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Building Permits
- Address
- 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030
- Phone
- 404-371-2000
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Rhythm for Civics / E-Permitting Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Create an e-permitting account in the county portal.
- Select the correct permit type and use the county guide/checklist for the specific residential or nonresidential scope.
- Upload application materials, plans, and any outside-agency approvals required.
- Respond to review comments and resubmit as needed.
- Pay permit fees through the system.
- Obtain permit issuance and keep permit documents on site.
- Schedule inspections through the portal, by inspection inbox, or by the live inspection phone line if you are the primary applicant.
Typical processing time: County fire marshal states average review is about 10 business days once city routing sheet and plans are received for permits that need county fire review. General building review timing varies by scope.
Source: DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Building Permits
General Requirements
County building permit guides govern residential additions, alterations, new single-family construction, townhomes, and nonresidential work in unincorporated DeKalb.
Required Documents
- Permit application
- Plans and supporting guides/checklists
- Contractor registration and licenses
- Site plans and zoning review materials where applicable
- County fire, water, sewer, watershed, or other outside-agency approvals as applicable
- Permit validity
- Confirm against the permit card and county code. County guides commonly rely on posted permit conditions.
- Building code
- DeKalb County publishes the current DCA mandatory codes effective January 1, 2026: 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2023 NEC, 2015 IECC with Georgia supplements/amendments, and 2024 ISPSC.
- Owner-builder
- County residential guides require homeowner affidavit materials when the owner acts as contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- County residential guide states contractors must be licensed by the State of Georgia, have a Georgia business license, and register with DeKalb Development Services.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $195
- Plan check fee
- Included in the county schedule by permit category and review type. Revisions and resubmittals have separate line items.
- Permit fee formula
- New construction fee is based on current ICC construction cost/valuation data multiplied by 0.0065
- Reinspection fee
- First reinspection $25, second $50, third and later $100; construction prior to permit is 100% of permit fee or double permit fee depending on category shown in the schedule
- Payment note
- County fees are paid through the e-permitting process. Separate fire marshal, watershed, and land development schedules also apply where routed.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Building Permits to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- E-Permitting portal (online)
- Building Inspections inbox (email)
- 404-687-2401 (phone)
- Time windows
- Not posted as fixed windows on the public inspection page. Only the primary applicant may schedule.
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation/site inspections; Rough building and rough trades; Specialty inspections and third-party inspections where approved; Final inspections; CO/CC.
Third-party inspections now require the county application for permits applied for on or after October 1, 2025.
Additional Resources
- Building code: DeKalb County publishes the current DCA mandatory codes effective January 1, 2026: 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2023 NEC, 2015 IECC with Georgia supplements/amendments, and 2024 ISPSC.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- E-Permitting
- Inspections
- Fire Marshal
- License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Building Permits before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
DeKalb County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated DeKalb County, GA?
- County building permit guides govern residential additions, alterations, new single-family construction, townhomes, and nonresidential work in unincorporated DeKalb.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated DeKalb County, GA?
- The minimum permit fee is $195. Fees are calculated as: New construction fee is based on current ICC construction cost/valuation data multiplied by 0.0065. Plan check fee: Included in the county schedule by permit category and review type. Revisions and resubmittals have separate line items..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated DeKalb County, GA?
- 1. Create an e-permitting account in the county portal. 2. Select the correct permit type and use the county guide/checklist for the specific residential or nonresidential scope. 3. Upload application materials, plans, and any outside-agency approvals required. 4. Respond to review comments and resubmit as needed. 5. Pay permit fees through the system. 6. Obtain permit issuance and keep permit documents on site. 7. Schedule inspections through the portal, by inspection inbox, or by the live inspection phone line if you are the primary applicant.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated DeKalb County, GA?
- Typical processing time is County fire marshal states average review is about 10 business days once city routing sheet and plans are received for permits that need county fire review. General building review timing varies by scope..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated DeKalb County, GA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: E-Permitting portal, Building Inspections inbox, 404-687-2401.
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