Alpharetta, GA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 8-179 makes it 'unlawful to construct any building or structure, other than a fence, in the city where the cost of such construction exceeds $100.00 or to alter or remodel any building or structure so as to change the bearing walls, beams, supports or the roof thereof,' without first securing a permit, or in violation of an issued permit's terms. Section 8-180 sets the application requirements: no permit issues for construction, or for remodeling or repair affecting bearing walls, non-resurfacing roof work, or chimneys, or for moving a building onto a lot, 'unless the application is accompanied by a plat or sketch of the proposed location showing lot boundaries, and by plans and specifications showing the work to be done,' bearing the seal or signature of a licensed architect or the plan's preparer.

Section 8-181 requires all permitted work to comply with the zoning ordinance, water ordinance and street-excavation ordinances. If work proceeds in violation of the chapter or outside an issued permit's terms, Section 8-182 lets the building official order the job stopped, with any oral stop order followed by a written one within 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays; continuing unpermitted work is itself unlawful. Section 8-183 then withholds a certificate of occupancy until the building was 'erected, altered or repaired in compliance with the provisions of this chapter,' and Section 8-184 places responsibility for meeting every applicable code squarely on the owner, developer or contractor, not the city's own inspections.