Outdoor kitchens in Atlanta require separate trade permits from the Office of Buildings: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit for gas lines, plumbing permit for water/sinks, and electrical permit for outdoor outlets. Atlanta enforces the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes (IBC/IRC/IECC/NEC).
Atlanta administers the Georgia State Minimum Standard Building Codes — based on the International Codes with Georgia amendments — through the Office of Buildings within the Department of City Planning. Built-in outdoor kitchens require: (1) Building permit for any structural slab, masonry counter walls, foundation, or roofed pergola/pavilion under the IRC/IBC; (2) Mechanical permit for any new natural-gas line extension to a built-in grill under the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), including pressure test and final inspection; (3) Plumbing permit for outdoor sinks, ice-maker lines, or hose bibbs under the IPC; (4) Electrical permit for any new outdoor circuits, GFCI-protected outlets, lighting, or refrigerator/freezer circuits under the NEC — outdoor outlets must be in 'wet location' rated enclosures. Atlanta Code §16-28 (Accessory Structures) requires outdoor kitchens to comply with rear and side yard setback requirements for the relevant zoning district — typically 5 ft side and 7 ft rear in R-4. Roofed structures additionally count toward lot-coverage limits. In Atlanta's overlay districts (Historic Preservation overlays such as Inman Park, Druid Hills, Cabbagetown), visible outdoor kitchen structures may require an Atlanta Urban Design Commission (AUDC) review or Type II Certificate of Appropriateness.
Unpermitted gas/electrical/plumbing work: Office of Buildings stop-work order, double permit fees on after-the-fact applications, and mandatory exposure of concealed work. Unpermitted gas lines: Atlanta Gas Light may disconnect service.
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