DeKalb County, GA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt work
- Painting, tiling, cabinets, countertops
- Cost threshold
- $3,000 wholesale cost or less
- Condition
- No change in occupant/occupancy
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances § 7-30(d)(1)(D)
Summary
In unincorporated DeKalb County, interior finish work -- painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and countertops -- needs no permit if the wholesale cost is $3,000 or less and occupancy doesn't change.
(d)Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from the permit requirements of this section shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any other laws or ordinances of the county. Permits shall not be required for the following:(1)Building:(A)Fences not over eight (8) feet (2440 mm) high.(B)Retaining walls which are not over four (4) feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.(C)Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed five thousand (5,000) gallons (18,927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two (2) to one (1).(D)Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work for which the wholesale cost does not exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), where there has been no change in occupant or occupancy.
Full Breakdown
Code of Ordinances § 7-30(a) requires a permit for alterations and repairs to a building, but § 7-30(d)(1)(D) exempts painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work where the wholesale cost is $3,000 or less and there is no change in occupant or occupancy. Cross the $3,000 threshold, change who occupies the space, or touch structural, plumbing, electrical, gas or mechanical systems, and the general permit requirement of § 7-30(a) applies, with permits due at least eight hours before work begins. This exemption governs unincorporated DeKalb County only; incorporated cities such as Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Tucker and Stonecrest set their own renovation permit rules.
Violations & Fines
Finish work exceeding $3,000 in wholesale cost or paired with an occupancy change without a permit is unpermitted construction, exposing the contractor or owner to a 100-percent penalty on the required permit fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to redo my kitchen cabinets in DeKalb County?
Does this exemption cover structural or electrical work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DeKalb County
Compare DeKalb County to another location·View the Georgia building safety overview
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