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PermitRoadmap

Do I need a permit for electrical panel or service upgrade in Unincorporated Cobb County?

Permit required

Yes. In Georgia, electrical panel or service upgrade generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated Cobb County is no exception.

Panel changes and service upgrades require an electrical permit and inspection in Georgia; the power company usually will not reconnect an upgraded service without a passed inspection. Work must meet the adopted National Electrical Code as amended for Georgia; most jurisdictions require a licensed electrician. Cobb County's own permitting office is the Cobb County Development and Inspections, reachable on 770-528-1000 at https://www.cobbcounty.gov/community-development/building-development/permitting. Its online permit portal is https://cobbca.cobbcounty.gov/CitizenAccess/default.aspx. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, and many smaller Georgia municipalities do not, this is the office that will handle the job. A service change needs the inspection to clear before the utility resets the meter, so schedule it before the changeover day. A service change is its own job type on Cobb County's Subcontractor Permit Request, and the permit must be issued before work starts. The form asks for the serving utility (Cobb EMC, Georgia Power, Marietta, Acworth or Greystone). Cobb allows only one electrical meter per residential lot. Inspections are scheduled by text or through the Cobb Citizen Access Portal and typically happen within 1 to 3 business days; a failed inspection carries a reinspection fee of $50, then $75, then $100.

Get the checklist for your electrical panel or service upgrade in Unincorporated Cobb County. A free check first, then a free printable Permit Prep Pack.

Documents you may need

  • Electrical / technical permit applicationRequired
  • Panel and service load / equipment detailsLikely required
  • Contractor license and insurance informationLikely required
  • Cobb County Subcontractor Permit Request (Electrical, Service Change)Likely required
  • Service size in amps, volts and phase, and the power companyLikely required
  • Georgia state electrical license and business licenseLikely required

Possible inspections

  • Electrical rough / service inspection
  • Final electrical inspection (utility reconnect may be required)
  • Electrical inspection before the power company reconnects
  • Electrical final

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for electrical panel or service upgrade in Unincorporated Cobb County?
Yes. In Georgia, electrical panel or service upgrade generally requires a permit, and Unincorporated Cobb County is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
Who issues the permit in Unincorporated Cobb County?
The local building department for Unincorporated Cobb County handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.

PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.