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Permitting Information

Below you will find information on permitting for signs, building, construction trailers, outbuildings, storage sheds, and other types of permits. If you required additional information, please feel free to contact Rich Atkinson at 770-476-1790.

See also policy on issuance of Certificate of Occupancy and Certification of Completion.

Temporary Sign permits:

Wall Sign permits:

  • Scale drawing of sign
  • Building elevation showing placement of sign
  • Value of sign
  • $100.00 fee per sign
  • Application for Permanent Sign
  • C.O. must be issued for Shell building/tenant space

Monument Sign permits:

HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing Permits and Affidavits:

  • HVAC permit application
  • Electrical permit application
  • Plumbing permit application
  • Copy of Business License issued by city/county where business is located. Must be in Georgia.
  • Copy of State Trade Card issued by the State of Georgia
  • Permit fee $60.00 (no charge for affidavits)
  • Grease hoods only, plans stamped by the Gwinnett County Fire Marshal required prior to permitting for HVAC for a new or modified grease hood

For NEW single family construction permits:

For NEW or ADDITION for commercial, or multi family construction permits:

  • Approved site
  • Approved building plans by Public Utilities (678-376-6700), Fire Marshal (678-518-6100) & City inspector
  • If restaurant, Gwinnett Health (770-963-5132) must also approve building plans
  • Site must be stabilized (inspection by Development Inspector required)
  • Detention pond and/or temporary sediment ponds must be constructed
  • Georgia State Energy Code Application
  • Water/Sewer tap receipts
  • Application for Building Permit
  • Permit & Review fees
  • If there is a grease trap, sand/oil/water separators or any type of industrial pretreatment, Gwinnett County Public Utilities must sign off on plans. This includes restaurants; cafeterias; businesses with any type of food service such as markets; convenience stores; ice cream parlors; bakeries; church, day care facilities; delis; medical, dental and veterinary offices; photo labs; any business that uses petroleum products such as car washes, body shops and auto repair shops; any type of manufacturing or processing operation. (effective 9/4/02 )
  • Exterior building materials plans must be approved by the Director

For commercial interior finish, renovation or remodel permits:

  • Shell C.O. must have been issued
  • Building plans approved by the Gwinnett fire marshal, Gwinnett public utilities & City inspector
  • If restaurant, Gwinnett Health must also approve building plans
  • Application for Building Permit
  • Permit & Review fees
  • If there is a grease trap, sand/oil/water separators or any type of industrial pretreatment, Gwinnett County Public Utilities must sign off on plans. This includes restaurants; cafeterias; businesses with any type of food service such as markets; convenience stores; ice cream parlors; bakeries; church, day care facilities; delis; medical, dental and veterinary offices; photo labs; any business that uses petroleum products such as car washes, body shops and auto repair shops; any type of manufacturing or processing operation. (effective 9/4/02 )
  • Permits within the CPD-R, CBD, HSO and CPD-R Districts where there are proposed exterior improvements, must be reviewed by the appropriate Review Board. Consult with the City's Downtown Manager, Chris McGahee, for more info.

For residential addition, decks, & residential accessory building permits:

  • Survey of lot showing proposed construction & setbacks from each property line
  • Application for Building Permit
  • Permit fees
  • Construction <$300 in value does not require a permit
  • Storage building, playhouses or tree houses <32 square feet without mechanicals do not require a permit
  • NO REVIEW REQUIRED unless size exceeds 3,000 square feet

For walls, retaining walls & monuments greater than 4 feet in height:

  • Plan stamped by professional engineer registered in the State of Georgia
  • Site plan showing location of wall(s)
  • Plan do not require approval by inspector or fire marshal
  • Application for Building Permit
  • Walls <4 feet in height do not require a building permit
  • Permit fees

For residential swimming pools permits:

  • Site plan showing setbacks from all property lines
  • Verify that setbacks shown meet zoning ordinance
  • Pool must be in rear yard
  • Pool must be fenced with self – latching gate
  • Pools containing <24 inches of water do not require a permit
  • Application for Swimming Pool Permit
  • Permit fees

For tents, trailers, or other temporary building permits:

  • Application for Building Permit
  • Permit fees
  • Certain temporary buildings require a Temporary Use Permit (TUP), see zoning ordinance by zoning classification, Article 12
  • NO FURTHER REVIEW REQUIRED BEYOND APPROVAL OF TUP (or SUP) BY DIRECTOR

For residential interior renovation, remodel, basement finish, etc, provided there is no outer expansion of the structure:

For Temporary Use Permit:

For NEW Cell Tower and/or Co-Location on Existing Cell Tower:

  • Application for Building Permit
  • Permit fees
  • Site Plan showing proposed tower and equipment cabinets, Director to review
  • Drawings by engineer for tower, Building Inspector to review
  • Co-Location shall be considered a revision to a previously approved site plan, review fee is $250.
  • If co-location only, no new tower is proposed, Director ONLY approves site plans for issuance of permit. No further review required by Building Inspector.

Department Location

Planning & Development
City Hall, 2nd Floor
3167 Main Street
Duluth, Georgia 30096

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