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Community Development

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1. How can I obtain a copy of the city of Roswell’s standard construction specifications?

The City’s Engineering Division has copies of the construction specifications as well as a plan review checklist, details, buffer regulations, and stormwater regulations. Contact the City’s Engineer with specific questions at 770-641-3780.

2. How do I know if I need a permit for my project?

Discuss this situation with the Community Development Department for clarification as to how your project should be handled. If the project appeared before the Design Review Board, the Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, or Mayor and City Council, you will most likely need a development permit. You may need a development permit even if you obtained an administrative approval for your project.

If there is any land disturbance on the project, a grading permit will likely be required. Conversions of residential property to other uses requires all of the above, even if you think no work needs to be done.

If the property is commercial, residential development, single-family over one acre, and in some cases individual lots of a larger development, a tree removal permit is required.

Additional permits may be required from Fulton County, the Georgia DOT, and/or the Roswell Transportation Department.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Community Development Department at 770-641-3780.

3. How do I obtain a garage/yard sale permit?

Applicant must come into the Community Development office to fill out the application and receive the decal stickers. More...

4. Where do I obtain a building permit?

To obtain a permit for construction in the City of Roswell, an application must be filed with the Building Department located at City Hall, Community Development, 38 Hill Street, Suite G-30, Roswell, Ga. 30075. Hours of operation are 8:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

5. What permits are required?

A permit is required when any owner, authorized agent, or contractor wants to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish a building or structure. Also a permit is required to install, enlarge, alter, or replace, any electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, or sprinkler systems. The installation is regulated by the City’s technical codes, and a permit is required prior to the work being started.

6. Why is a building permit required?

The purpose of permitting is to ensure that the minimum code standards are being met, preserving the public's safety, health and welfare.

7. Are separate permits required? If so, why?

Yes. Georgia law, O.C.G.A. 43-14, requires all persons contracting or performing for hire any plumbing, electrical, low voltage, heating-air conditioning or utility work in Georgia to be duly and currently licensed by the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board for that work. The purpose of this is to regulate building and construction in the City of Roswell, to provide for the administration and enforcement of the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes and to establish procedures for the permitting and inspection of buildings within the City of Roswell. This requirement is also required of homeowners attempting the work themselves.

8. Can you expedite my permit?

All permits are reviewed for compliance with the codes and processed as quickly as possible. There is not an additional expediting process.

9. How long will it take to get a building permit?

Depending upon the complexity of the project, a building permit could be issued the same day for a simple residential deck or up to six weeks for a complicated commercial structure.

10. How do I check on the status of my permit?

You may contact a staff person within the Building Division at 770-641-3780 or you may visit the City’s website with your permit tracking number issued at the time of your application to check the current status. On the website go to the Building Permits page and select the “inspection and plan review result” on the left hand side for the current status.

11. Who is responsible for obtaining a permit?

The owner of a property is responsible for what transpires on his/her property, but licensed contractors know that permits are required before work begins as it is a part of the test for licensing.

12. Where do I direct my flood plain questions?

Flood plain questions should be directed to the Engineering Division at 770-594-6196.