Building Safety in DeKalb County, GA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
DeKalb County Code § 12-24 requires every new multifamily dwelling property in the unincorporated county to be fully sprinklered under NFPA-13 or NFPA-13R, and requires existing high-rise residential buildings, those over 75 feet, to already carry an NFPA-13 system. The fire marshal's bureau of fire prevention enforces the rule through plan review, inspection and correction orders.
DeKalb County New Multifamily Sprinkler Rule
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 12-24(a)-(b)
(a)All new multifamily dwellings properties shall be fully sprinkled in accordance with the latest adopted edition of the National Fire Protection Association publications 13 ("NFPA-13") or 13R ("NFPA 13R").(b)All existing high-rise residential occupancy buildings shall have an approved sprinkler system installed in accordance with NFPA-13.
Door Locking Hardware
Hotels, motels, and extended-stay hotels permitted for construction after March 16, 2018 in unincorporated DeKalb County must fit every public-facing entry point with a magnetic or electronic keycard lock, an operating automatic door closure, and an alarm, and must keep those doors locked at all times between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. An entry point opening into a lobby staffed 24/7 by a bona fide employee is exempt.
DeKalb County Hotel Keycard Door Rule
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 18-133(a)
For any hotel, motel, or extended stay hotel permitted for construction after March 16, 2018, any public-facing entry points to the premises must require a magnetic or electronic keycard/locking device for access. Public facing entry point doors shall have operating automatic closures, key entry and shall remain locked at all times between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Green Building Code
DeKalb doesn't mandate green construction, but in the RSM zoning district, developers who certify buildings for LEED or EarthCraft accreditation earn a 50% density bonus above the base allowance.
DeKalb County LEED Density Bonus Rule
Light RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 27-2.12.5, Table 2.6
50% greater than base Sustainability Elements Certification that proposed buildings, if built as designed, would be accredited by LEED®, EarthCraft, or other similar national accreditation organization, for energy- and water-efficient site and building design. Mixed Income or Mixed Age 30-year enforceable commitment approved by the county attorney and recorded on the deed records that total n...
Building Permits
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.
DeKalb County Renovation Permit Cost Threshold
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances § 7-30(d)(1)(D)
(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 ...
Electrical Permits
Electrical work in unincorporated DeKalb County must conform to the National Electrical Code, adopted through County Code § 7-51(a)(6) with the Georgia amendments currently adopted by the state Board of Community Affairs, and § 7-30(a) requires a permit before electrical work begins, other than ordinary repairs.
DeKalb County Electrical Permit & NEC Rules
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances § 7-51(a)(6)
All new construction, installations, repairs or alterations shall be in conformance with the current edition of the following codes and referenced appendixes with Georgia amendments as currently adopted by the Board of Community Affairs of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs:(1)International Building Code.(2)International Residential Code and Appendix G.(3)International Plumbing Code an...
Plumbing Permits
Before starting plumbing work on any building in unincorporated DeKalb County, the installer must pull a permit and build to the current International Plumbing Code, adopted county-wide under Sec. 7-51(a)(3) along with the Georgia Amendments to Appendix J § 703.6, plus DeKalb's own local plumbing supplements in Sec. 7-53.
DeKalb County Plumbing Permit Code Adoption Rule
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances § 7-51(a)(3)
(a) Generally. As future new editions and/or amendments of the codes listed below are adopted by the Board of Community Affairs of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, they shall become a part of or replacement for the adopted codes, rules and regulations or standards and shall become enforceable as prescribed without separate adoption by the governing authority. All new construction, i...
Building Inspections
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.
DeKalb County Building Inspection Stages
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances § 7-34(c)(1)
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 bac...
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