Smyrna, GA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 1302 of the Smyrna Zoning Ordinance, Appendix A of the city code, covers four actions: erecting, moving, adding to and structurally altering a building or other structure. Each needs a permit issued by the building inspector, and the permit issues only if the proposed development conforms to the ordinance. Section 1301 names the building inspector as the officer who issues grading and building permits and certificates of occupancy and who makes field inspections against the approved site plan.

Applications go to the building inspector under § 1304. A permit application must come with complete plans in duplicate, drawn to scale, prepared by an architect, engineer or land surveyor whose state registration is current and whose seal is affixed. Residential stand-alone permits for plumbing, electrical and mechanical work, excluding structural work, do not require plans unless the chief building official asks for them, and the chief building official can waive plans when the work does not need them to show compliance with the current building code. The plans show the shape and dimensions of the lot, the sizes and locations of existing buildings, and the shape, size, height, use and location of the proposed building.

Grading is a separate permit. Under § 1303, no grading or other alteration of the land starts without a grading permit, and the site development plan must include a grading plan, erosion and sedimentation control plan, tree preservation plan, future building locations, parking layout and storm drainage design.

Validity is short. Under § 1305, a building permit for other than residential construction is valid for two years, and it expires if work has not begun within six months or is not completed within two years. A residential building permit is valid for six months and expires if the work has not been inspected within that time. Section 1306 requires a certificate of occupancy, applied for at the same time as the building permit and issued within ten days after work is completed in conformity with the ordinance.

Chapter 18 adopts the Standard Building Code, the CABO One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code and the Standard Unsafe Building Abatement Code, latest editions as adopted by the state (§ 18-32). A denial of a permit or other adverse decision by the building inspector can be appealed to the mayor and council (§ 18-37).