BuildingPermitCost How DeKalb County calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using $6.50 per $1,000 of project value, with a $175.00 minimum. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
$6.50 per $1,000 of project value, with a $175.00 minimum.
Surcharges
- Technology fee: $20.00
What counts as project value
ICC Building Valuation Data table. New construction cost = ICC Building Valuation Data cost per sq ft (by construction type and occupancy group, from the county's printed Valuations Table) x floor area. One- and two-family dwellings (R-3): $175.92/sq ft for type VB, $187.70 VA. Extensive renovation projects use ICC BVD with the valuation requirements of state law.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $350,000.00 ÷ 1,000 × $6.50 = $2,275.00
- Technology fee: fixed = $20.00
- Total before trade permits: $2,295.00.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Resubmittal fee: when each resubmittal after the 2nd.
- Construction before permit: when construction/installation before obtaining a permit.
- Certificate of Occupancy fee: when a certificate of occupancy is issued (new buildings); $50.00 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Interior tenant finish (move in as is)When: commercial move-in with no construction | $175.00 each |
| Plans revision fee - residential site planWhen: plan revisions | $25.00 each |
| Plans revision fee - otherWhen: plan revisions | $50.00 each |
| Re-inspection feeWhen: failed inspection | $25.00 1st; $50 2nd; $100 3rd and after |
| Permit extension, same owner (3 months)When: extension | $300.00 each |
| After hours inspectionWhen: after-hours inspection requested | $50.00 per hour (min 4 hours) |
| Water and sewer access fee, single-familyWhen: new connection to county water/sewer | $1,811.93 per house |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: Minimum $100 plus $20 technology fee; per-item fees (meter loops by amperage, outlets/switches/lights $2 residential, appliances). Plumbing: Minimum $100 plus $20 technology fee; $10 per most fixtures, water/sewer service $30. Mechanical: HVAC minimum $100 plus $20 technology fee; per-appliance fees ($25 heating up to 300,000 BTU, duct work $25 per system).
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to DeKalb County Department of Planning & Sustainability, Development Services online through DeKalb ePermitting.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 404-371-2155 · 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030