Austell, GA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within Austell city limits only.

Department

Community Affairs Department, City of Austell

Address

5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 141, Austell, GA 30106

Phone

770-944-4309

Email

permits@austellga.gov , christia@austellga.gov , kmaxwell@austellga.gov

Website

https://www.austellga.gov/CommunityDevelopment.aspx

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Apply through the city's online permit portal or coordinate with Community Affairs on the proper application form.
2. Submit plans and required supporting documents.
3. The city reviews plans; the Planning and Zoning FAQ states plan review requires five sets of plans and up to five days for review before permit issuance.
4. Pay the nonrefundable application fee and applicable permit fees.
5. Permit is issued by Community Affairs.
6. Schedule inspections through the city coordinator and complete final approvals.

Typical processing time: Austell's Planning and Zoning FAQ says allow up to five days for plan review.

Source: Community Affairs Department, City of Austell

General Requirements

Austell states permits are required to erect, enlarge, alter, remove, demolish, or repair a structure, and for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work including service upgrades and fixture or equipment work.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Construction drawings
• Supporting information by project type
• Residential permit application states attachments are required before zoning and building review

Permit validity

The residential permit application states a building permit for new construction is valid for one year. Confirm other expiration triggers directly with Community Affairs.

Building code

The city pages reviewed did not publish a dedicated current code-adoption page, but Austell enforces Georgia minimum standard construction codes through its permitting process. Confirm the current code sheet directly with Community Affairs.

Owner-builder

Homeowners doing permits in their own name must sign a homeowner permit request form.

Contractor requirements

The residential application states all contractors must have a Georgia contractor license and a business license from a Georgia municipality.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25 nonrefundable application fee in addition to permit fees

Plan check fee

Plan review is part of the pre-issuance process; confirm current review fee treatment from the published fee schedule for the permit type.

Permit fee formula

General building permit fees are valuation-based; the fee schedule uses construction type and valuation for building permits and flat fees for many other items.

Penalty (no permit)

The city publishes reinspection and related inspection charges in the fee schedule.

Payment note

Austell's online bill-payment page states convenience fees apply to online payments generally.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Community Affairs Department, City of Austell to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Community Affairs coordination (online)

Inspection hours

Community Affairs office hours follow City Hall hours.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, rough and trade inspections by scope, then final inspection before completion or occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The city pages reviewed did not publish a dedicated current code-adoption page, but Austell enforces Georgia minimum standard construction codes through its permitting process. Confirm the current code sheet directly with Community Affairs.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Community Development
• ViewPoint Cloud Portal
• Residential Building Permit Application
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

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