Kennesaw, GA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within Kennesaw city limits only.

Department

Building Services, City of Kennesaw

Address

3080 Moon Station Rd., Kennesaw, GA 30144

Phone

770-429-4554

Email

permits@kennesaw-ga.gov

Website

https://www.kennesaw-ga.gov/buildingservices/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is within Kennesaw and determine the needed permit type.
2. Apply online in iWorQ and upload project documents.
3. For owner-builder filings, submit the city's homeowners affidavit.
4. City staff reviews for code compliance; larger development projects may need plan review committee coordination, site review, or land disturbance approvals before permit issuance.
5. Pay permit fees.
6. Permit is issued online and inspections are then scheduled in iWorQ using the permit number and contractor code.

Typical processing time: No standard permit review time is published. Plan Review Committee meetings are Thursdays by appointment with at least three business days notice.

Source: Building Services, City of Kennesaw

General Requirements

The Building Services page directs all permits to be applied for online. The department enforces permitting and inspections under Georgia state minimum standard codes. Specific permit categories, trade permits, retaining walls, pools, demolition, land disturbance, and development reviews are referenced.

Required Documents

• Online application
• Plans as applicable
• Homeowner affidavit for homeowner permits
• Development projects may also need site review, land disturbance, impact fee, or other department approvals

Permit validity

The fee schedule includes re-activation of expired permits at the same fee as a new permit.

Building code

Kennesaw publishes mandatory code updates effective January 1, 2026, including the 2024 IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, ISPSC, IPMC, IEBC, 2023 NEC with Georgia amendments, 2024 Life Safety Code, and Georgia Accessibility Code.

Owner-builder

The city publishes a Homeowners Affidavit for homeowner permits.

Contractor requirements

Georgia construction licensing rules apply. Permit applicants can use the Georgia Construction Licensing Board link published by the city.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential minimum $80; commercial minimum $100; trade permits generally $80

Plan check fee

Commercial plan review is 7 percent of the permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Residential new construction uses ICC valuation at $6 per $1,000; commercial new construction uses ICC valuation at $7 per $1,000; many other permit types are flat-fee based.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection is $50 first, $75 second, $100 third and subsequent.

Penalty (no permit)

Work before permit issuance is double permit fee up to $1,000.

Payment note

The fee schedule notes a technology fee equal to 1 percent of each permit issued with a $10 minimum fee per permit.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Services, City of Kennesaw to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• iWorQ Portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Cutoff for next-business-day inspections is before 7:00 PM Eastern.

Typical inspection sequence: Trade and building inspections are scheduled through the portal based on permit scope. Site review and land disturbance inspections may also apply for development projects.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Kennesaw publishes mandatory code updates effective January 1, 2026, including the 2024 IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, ISPSC, IPMC, IEBC, 2023 NEC with Georgia amendments, 2024 Life Safety Code, and Georgia Accessibility Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• iWorQ Portal
• Master Fee Schedule
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

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