DeKalb County, GA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Building stages
- Foundation, framing, final
- Trade inspections
- Underground, rough-in, final
- Duty
- Keep work exposed until approved
- Applies
- Unincorporated DeKalb permitted work
Summary
DeKalb County requires staged inspections for permitted work, including foundation, framing and final inspections for buildings plus rough-in inspections for electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas systems.
The building official, upon notification, shall make the inspections set forth as follows:(1)Building.(A)Foundation and slab inspection: To be made after trenches are excavated, forms are erected, and reinforcement is installed but before concrete is put in place. The appropriate silt and erosion control measures must be in place and functional.(B)Damproofing inspection: To be made prior to backfill of crawl space or basement foundation walls.(C)Pre-cladding/frame inspection: To be made after the roof, wall bracing, windows, doors and moisture barrier are installed and prior to placement of exterior cladding. Rough inspections on trades need not be complete for pre-cladding inspection.(D)Frame/insulation inspection: To be made after wiring, piping, chimneys, duct and vents to be concealed are in place and all rough inspections approved, fire blocking is in place and the insulation in walls and inaccessible ceilings is installed. Insulation values must meet documents submitted with permit application.(E)Final inspection: To be made after the building or structure is completed in compliance with this Code prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
Full Breakdown
Section 7-34(c) of the DeKalb County Code lists the required inspections for permitted construction. Building work is inspected at the foundation/slab, damproofing, pre-cladding, frame/insulation and final stages, with parallel underground, rough-in and final inspections for electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas systems. Work must stay accessible for inspection until approved, and the building official can require additional inspections. A final building inspection happens after construction is complete and before a certificate of occupancy is issued. This applies to permitted work in unincorporated DeKalb County.
Violations & Fines
Covering or concealing work before the required inspection is approved is a violation, and the building official can require it uncovered for inspection at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspections does DeKalb County require during construction?
Can I cover framing before it's inspected?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DeKalb County
Compare DeKalb County to another location·View the Georgia building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.