Douglasville, GA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Douglasville.

Department

Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Douglasville

Address

6758 Spring Street, Douglasville, GA 30134

Phone

678-449-3230

Email

buildingInspection@douglasvillega.gov

Website

https://www.douglasvillega.gov/Departments/Community-Development/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Identify the permit type from the City Building Division Applications page and pull the matching application, form, review checklist, and submittal checklist.
2. Assemble the required plans and supporting documents per the applicable submittal checklist.
3. Submit the permit documents to the Building Division. Documents are screened at the front desk for completeness against the applicable submittal checklist before routing.
4. Pay the initial plan review fee if plan review is required. The initial plan review fee is $125.00.
5. Respond to review comments if the permit is denied or corrections are needed. Resubmittals require revised documents and a new transmittal form, with a re-review fee of $175.00.
6. Before issuance, provide confirmed contractor licensing information, including state licensing, local business licensing, and owner or qualifying agent information.
7. Pay final permit fees calculated from the adopted ICC valuation tables and fee schedule.
8. Receive the permit, permit card, and approved permit documents, then schedule inspections through AccessMyGov as work progresses.

Typical processing time: Basic reviews can take 5 to 10 business days; more complex projects take longer.

Source: Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Douglasville

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new construction and alterations, including separate mechanical, electrical, plumbing, pool, moving, and land disturbance approvals depending on scope.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application form
• Site or house location plan if applicable
• Architectural plans
• Structural plans and calculations
• MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) layouts
• Res-Check or Com-Check energy documents
• Water and sewer receipt or septic approval where applicable
• Contractor licensing information
• Authorized agent form if used
• Homeowner self-contractor or unlicensed repair form if applicable

Permit validity

Approved permits are valid for 180 days after issuance. A permit becomes invalid if work is not commenced within 180 days after issuance or if the work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement unless the building official grants an extension.

Building code

2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IFGC, 2023 NEC with Georgia amendments, 2015 IECC with Georgia supplements and amendments, 2024 ISPSC, all with Georgia amendments where applicable

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must own more than 50 percent of the legal interest in the property, personally supervise and manage all work not performed by licensed contractors, use the property only for the owner and family or business and employees, keep it out of general-public use and not offer it for sale or lease, and certify that neither the owner nor related business or family has sold or transferred a structure built without a licensed contractor within the prior 24 months.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold state licensing, local business licensing, and valid owner or qualifying agent information. Commercial work must be completed by licensed contractors as required by the State of Georgia.

Fees

Plan check fee

$125.00 initial plan review fee; $175.00 re-review fee for denied permits and redesign review

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based. Final permit fees are calculated from currently adopted ICC valuation tables and the total square footage of all structures and their applicable uses under the adopted fee schedule.

Penalty (no permit)

Double the original permit fee for work started before permit issuance

Payment note

Online payments accepted for some building permits through AccessMyGov with a PIN obtained from Building Inspections before login.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Division, Community Development Department, City of Douglasville to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• AccessMyGov portal (online)

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections include footing and foundation, concrete slab and under-floor, lowest floor elevation in flood hazard areas where applicable, frame and masonry, lath and gypsum board, fire-resistant penetrations, energy efficiency, and final inspection. Trade inspections occur with the permitted work as applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IFGC, 2023 NEC with Georgia amendments, 2015 IECC with Georgia supplements and amendments, 2024 ISPSC, all with Georgia amendments where applicable
• Verify contractor license: Georgia Secretary of State Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• General Review Process
• Homeowner Self-Contractor Form
• Unified Development Ordinance
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

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