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Do I need a permit for interior remodeling in Unincorporated DeKalb County?

Permit may be required

It depends. Whether interior remodeling needs a permit in Unincorporated DeKalb County comes down to the details of your project.

Cosmetic work such as paint, flooring, or cabinet swaps is usually exempt, but moving walls, plumbing, gas, or electrical typically requires a permit. Fee is often based on project cost, so keep an accurate scope and cost estimate for the application. DeKalb County's own permitting office is the DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability, reachable on 404-371-2155 at https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/planning-and-sustainability/permits-plan-review-and-inspections. Its online permit portal is https://epermits.dekalbcountyga.gov/. 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. Each trade normally needs its own permit on top of the building permit, so ask which trade permits your scope will require. DeKalb Code Sec. 7-30(d)(1)(D) exempts painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work only when the wholesale cost is $3,000 or less and there is no change in occupancy. The county's permit FAQ states that many interior improvements require permits, and finishing a basement requires a to-scale sketch showing two means of egress. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and gas permits must be pulled by State of Georgia licensed contractors; a homeowner's affidavit covers only building and demolition permits.

Get the checklist for your interior remodeling in Unincorporated DeKalb County. A free check first, then a free printable Permit Prep Pack.

Documents you may need

  • Permit applicationRequired
  • Floor plan or scope-of-work descriptionLikely required
  • Trade permit applications (electrical, plumbing, mechanical)Sometimes required
  • Contractor license and insurance informationSometimes required
  • DeKalb County Building Permit ApplicationSometimes required
  • Separate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits pulled by Georgia licensed contractorsSometimes required
  • Scaled basement sketch showing two means of egress for a basement finishSometimes required

Possible inspections

  • Rough trade inspections (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) where applicable
  • Framing inspection if walls are altered
  • Final inspection
  • Rough-in inspections for each trade involved
  • Frame and insulation inspection where walls are opened or added

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for interior remodeling in Unincorporated DeKalb County?
It depends. Whether interior remodeling needs a permit in Unincorporated DeKalb County comes down to the details of your project. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
Who issues the permit in Unincorporated DeKalb County?
The local building department for Unincorporated DeKalb 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.