The Permitting Process

PHASE ONE: PERMITTING

A permit must be obtained by the property owner or licensed trade professional responsible for a project before construction or site work can begin.  The permitting and inspection process protects property owners and the public by verifying new construction and improvements to property are in compliance with State building codes. 

The entire permitting process is managed through Build Sandy Springs. 

Please visit our Help Page for tutorials about Build Sandy Springs.

Step 1: Apply for a Permit

Build Sandy Springs is the City's permitting website which enables builders to manage permit and inspection requests, including those working on multiple projects within the city. Builders are able request inspections, track the status of inspections, view permit fees and approved permits online. Registration is required to access the system.

If you'd like to meet with staff, you can either Schedule an Appointment for assistance with your application at City Hall or Request a Developer Meeting to discuss your proposed project with the Plan Review Team either at City Hall or virtually.

Commonly Used Forms

• Authorized Agent Affidavit
• Contractor Affidavit
• Commercial Owner Authorization Affidavit
• Residential Owner-Contractor Affidavit
• Change of Contractor Form
• Erosion Control and Tree Conservation Agreement
• Master Sheet Index Guide
• Master Sheet Index Template

Step 2: Pay Permit Fees

After an application has been submitted and before plan review can begin, the applicant must pay the initial fee assessment.  Build Sandy Springs will automatically calculate permit fees prior to application submission, but you can also view our Fee Schedules below for more information:

• Building and Development Fee Schedule, as amended at the Oct. 19, 2010 Meeting
• Impact Fee Schedule, as revised at the Oct. 18, 2016 City Council Meeting 
• Technology Surcharge, as approved at the Jan. 17, 2017 City Council Meeting 
• Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule, as adopted at the Nov. 21, 2017 City Council Meeting

Additional fees may be assessed later in the permitting process if the scope of your project changes.  Our Permit Technicians can assist you in calculating your permit fee.

The easiest way to pay your permit fee is on Build Sandy Springs via credit or debit card. There is a 5% surcharge for card transactions.  You can also Schedule an Appointment to meet with one of our Revenue Technicians and pay via cash or check at City Hall.

Step 3: Plan Review

All construction permit applications require review by City Staff for compliance with International Building Codes,  State Environmental Protection Requirements, the Sandy Springs Development Code (zoning), and any other applicable regulations. The review teams include:

• Building
• Land Development
• Planning & Zoning
• Arborist
• GIS
• Fire Marshal's Office
• Transportation
• Sustainability
• Impact Fees
• ADA Compliance
• Demolition

The Review Teams check your plans for compliance with federal, state, and local building codes and regulations.  The Reviewers may provide comments or corrections to help the applicant bring the proposed project into compliance.  The applicant would then be required to revise and resubmit drawings before they can be approved.  A Developer Meeting is recommended after the second failed submittal and required after the third failed submittal. 

A resubmittal fee of $200 will be assessed upon the third resubmission.

Each resubmission of construction drawings will initiate a new round of Plan Review.  Each round of Plan Review may take anywhere from 3 to 10 business days, depending on the complexity of your project.

Step 4: Permit Card Issuance

After your application and construction drawings have been approved for compliance by all applicable Review Teams, the City can stamp the approved construction drawings and issue a Permit Card. This can take up to 5 business days.  You must submit all your contractor affidavits and pay any outstanding invoices prior to the City issuing these documents.

The stamped construction drawings, Permit Card, and the City's Noise Ordinance will be uploaded to your Permit Page on Build Sandy Springs and must be placed in a Permit Box at the construction site for the entire duration of construction.

PHASE TWO: CONSTRUCTION

Step 5: Inspections

The City’s Inspections division verifies the contractor’s or property owner’s work at each milestone of the project. These inspections ensure the state adopted building codes are being followed correctly. Inspections include pre-construction meetings, rough inspections, and final inspections.

Fire Marshal's Office Plan Review and Inspections

For commercial construction, you will need to obtain additional plan review and inspections by the Fire Marshal's Office. This applies to new buildings and renovations to existing buildings.

Step 6: Plan Modifications (if applicable)

• Plan Modification Form

Step 7: As-Built Drawings (if applicable)

• As-Built Policy/Checklist

Step 8: Certificate of Completion/Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required to legally occupy all residential and commercial buildings.  A Certificate of Completion (CC) is required to occupy all new additions and alterations to existing residences where the residence remained occupied during construction.  Please visit our Certificate of Occupancy page for more information. 

The fee is $50 per certificate and is be included with the other applicable permit fees. Property owners sometimes use these certificates to show interested parties or potential buyers that a project was completed in compliance with City code.

• Commercial CO or CC Request Form
• Residential CO or CC Request Form