South Fulton, GA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual inspection rate
- 20% of units and 20% of buildings
- New-building exemption
- 5-year grace period after certificate of occupancy
- Full-cycle guarantee
- Every unit inspected at least once per 5 years
- Audit inspection notice
- At least 7 days' written notice
- Approved inspectors
- ICC-certified or licensed architect/engineer only
Summary
New or renovated multifamily rental buildings in South Fulton get a five-year break from inspection once they earn a certificate of occupancy; after that, owners must have 20 percent of units and 20 percent of buildings inspected annually, with every unit checked at least once every five years, under § 3-3003.2.
When a newly constructed or significantly renovated multifamily rental dwelling receives a certificate of occupancy, additional inspections on said unit pursuant to this section are not required for five years. The building official shall determine if renovated units qualify for the five year grace period based on the scope of renovations. After five years has elapsed, regular annual inspection of 20 percent of units shall commence and continue as required by this section. (c)Compliance certificate. After submission of the initial code compliance certificate, each owner shall submit a code compliance certificate annually, commencing on January 1, 2022, with their occupational tax certificate renewal. Such subsequent code compliance certificate shall cover at least 20 percent of the units, provided all units shall be inspected, at a minimum, every five years. All units inspected shall be listed individually on the code compliance certificate submitted to the city by the certified building inspector. Furthermore, exterior inspections shall cover at least 20 percent of the buildings, provided all buildings shall be inspected, at a minimum, every five years.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
2 sets the city's ongoing inspection cycle. New or substantially renovated dwellings that already hold a certificate of occupancy are exempt from further inspection for five years, with the building official deciding case by case whether a renovation qualifies. Once that grace period ends, owners must have at least 20 percent of their units and 20 percent of their buildings inspected every year, timed to their annual occupational tax renewal beginning January 1, 2022, with every unit and every building guaranteed a full inspection at least once every five years.
2(d). , excluding national holidays. An owner or manager can refuse that inspection, but the building official can then seek an inspection warrant from the municipal court. 5.
Violations & Fines
Missing the annual 20-percent inspection cycle or failing to keep required inspection records nullifies the code compliance certificate for those units under § 3-3003.2(d), which then triggers the § 3-3003.3(a) violation for failing to provide the certificate. Refusing an audit inspection doesn't itself carry a fine, but lets the building official seek a municipal court inspection warrant under § 3-3003.2(e).
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are South Fulton rental units inspected?
Can the city inspect the inside of my rental unit without notice?
Who is allowed to inspect multifamily rentals for the city's program?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Fulton
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Inspection Programs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle inspection programs.