1. What are your office hours?
The Department of Environment and Community Development is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Fridays. We do not issue building permits and related permits, nor do we accept applications for zoning, use permits, variances or modifications after 4:00 p.m.
2. My
property is located in Fulton County inside the city limits. Can you help me?
If your property is located inside the city limits of Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Union City, Fairburn, College Park, East Point, Palmetto or any other incorporated city, then your zoning and development matters will be handled by that jurisdiction. You may call the following numbers for help:
Alpharetta - 678-297-6070
Atlanta - 404-330-6175
College Park - 404-767-1537
East Point - 404-270-7030
Fairburn - 770-964-2244
Hapeville - 404-669-8269
Johns Creek - 678-512-3200
Milton - 678-242-2500
Mountain Park - 770-993-4231
Palmetto - 770-463-3377
Roswell - 770-641-3780
Sandy Springs - 770-730-5600
Union City - 770-964-2288
The Department of Environment and Community Development handles development matters for unincorporated Fulton County only with the exception of some water and sewer service in Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, Mountain Park and Sandy Springs. Please call our office at 404-730-7800 if you need water or sewer service in these areas.
From the North:
Travel I-75/85 South to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive/State Capitol/Stadium exit (Exit 248A) - Continue west on MLK through 5 traffic lights to Pryor Street - The Government Center is located on the corner of MLK and Pryor Streets (141 Pryor Street) - Park in Underground Atlanta parking garages or other surface parking lots in the area.
From the South:Travel I-75/85 North to Fulton Street/Central Avenue/Georgia Dome exit (Exit 246) - bear left on the exit to Central Avenue - Continue on Central Avenue through 5 traffic lights to Martin Luther King Drive, Jr. - Turn left on MLK and go one block to Pryor Street - The Government Center is on the corner of MLK and Pryor Street - Park in the Underground Atlanta parking garage across the street or other surface parking lots in the area.
From the East:Travel I-20 West to Capitol Avenue/Downtown/Georgia Dome exit (Exit 58A) - Turn right on Capitol Avenue - Continue on Capitol Avenue through 2 traffic lights to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive - Turn left, go through two traffic lights. The Government Center is on the corner of MLK and Pryor Street - Park in the Underground Atlanta parking garage across the street or other surface parking lots in the area.
From the West:
Travel I-20 east to Windsor Street/Spring Street exit (Exit 56B)- Turn left on Windsor Street (Windsor Street changes to Spring Street) - Continue on Spring Street through 3 traffic lights to Mitchell Street - Turn right on Mitchell Street - Continue on Mitchell Street through 4 traffic lights to Central Avenue - Turn left on Central Avenue - Go one block and turn left on Martin Luther King Drive - Go one Block to Pryor Street - The Government Center is on the corner of MLK and Pryor Street - Park in the Underground Atlanta parking garage across the street or other surface parking lots in the area.
Once you are in the building, we are on the second floor in Suite 2085, near the pedestrian bridge that connects the government center with the justice center.
4. How can I find out how my property is zoned?
To find out how your property, located in unincorporated Fulton County, is currently zoned, please call the Department of Environment and Community Development at 404-730-7800, and ask to speak with a Zoning Technician. The technician will consult the official zoning maps to locate your property, tell you the zoning classification and advise you if there are conditions of zoning associated with your property. Knowing the Land Lot and District of your property before you call will be helpful. You can also access zoning information through the GIS Maps Catalogue. If you need a written certification of this zoning, please write the Department of Environment and Community Development at the following address:
Fulton County Department of Environment and Community Development
Suite 2085, 141 Pryor Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
Attention: Zoning CertificationIn your letter request a Zoning Certification Letter. You must include the zoning case number, survey of your property, or a legal description of the property you wish to have certified. Also, indicate if you will pick this certification up at our office or if you wish to have it mailed to you (include your return address) and allow two to five working days for this certification to be prepared. The fee for a Zoning Certification Letter is $30.00 and must be submitted with your request. Make your check payable to Fulton County.
5. How do I rezone my property?
To rezone your property to a different zoning classification, you must obtain a Rezoning Information Package from this department which includes the application for rezoning as well as the instructions for filling out the application. The package also includes a list of other information you must submit. The rezoning process will take 60-90 days or longer depending on your circumstances and the timing of your request. The information package will include schedules, filing deadlines and the dates of all meetings you must attend. Once you have filed the necessary application, a planner will be assigned to your request and will assist you from that point.
Note that before filing, your site plan must be reviewed by a planner. To schedule a pre-application review appointment with a planner once you have a site plan, please call 404-730-7800 and ask to speak with a current planner.
To obtain your Rezoning Information Package, simply call our office at 404-730-7800 and request this information. You may also find this information on the Rezoning link.
6.
How can I get a copy of the Conditions of Zoning for a specific property?
Not all properties have Conditions of Zoning attached. If the property has been rezoned it is likely that there is a set of conditions under which the property must be developed. In such cases, a copy of these conditions may be obtained from the Department of Environment and Community Development at 141 Pryor Street; Suite 2085. A zoning technician or current planner will help you find the conditions and discuss these conditions with you.
7. How can I get the Conditions of Zoning changed?
In order to change any of the Conditions of Zoning that may apply to your property, you must file a Modification application. Simply call our office at 404-730-7800 and request a Modification Application package. This package includes the application form, instructions on how to complete this form as well as schedules and deadlines for filing. You may also find this information in Zoning Modifications on the web.
Once filed, some Modification requests, deemed to not be of public interest, may be handled administratively. Note that before filing, your site plan must be reviewed by a planner. To schedule an appointment with a planner once you have your site plan, please call 404-730-7800 and ask to speak with a current planner. Once you have made application, a planner will be assigned to your request and will assist you from that point.
8. What does the Long Range Comprehensive Plan say about my property?
To understand how the Long Range Comprehensive Land Use Plan relates to your property, please call the Environment and Community Development Department at 404-730-7800 and ask to speak to a Comprehensive Planner. You may view land use maps in the GIS Maps Catalogue.
9. Where do I get a copy of the Fulton County Zoning Resolution?
The Fulton County Zoning Resolution is available at www.fultonecd.org. You may also order this document from the Municipal Code Corporation, P.O. Box 2235, Tallahassee, Fl, 32316, Phone: (850)576-3171 or through www.municode.com.
Ask for the New Official Zoning Code for Fulton County, Georgia. Ordering from the Municipal Code Corporation offers the advantage of automatic updates for one year.
10.
How do I get a Variance for my property?
You may apply for relief to some of the standards in the Zoning Resolution by requesting a Variance. Variance appeals may be handled administratively, otherwise they go before the Board of Zoning Appeals for a hearing. Simply call our office at 404-730-7800 and request a Variance Application Package. This package includes the application form, instructions on how to complete this form as well as schedules and deadlines for filing. This information is also available on the link to Zoning and Planning Analysis.
Note that before filing you must schedule a pre-application review appointment with a planner. Please call 404 730-7800 and ask to speak to a current planner to schedule this appointment.
11. Who are the County Commissioners?
The members of the Board of Commissioners are:
You may write the Commissioners at:
Fulton County Board of Commissioners
141 Pryor Street, S.W., Suite 10000
Atlanta, GA 30303
12. Where and when are the meetings of the Board of Commissioners held?
The Board of Commissioners' meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium of the Government Center at 141 Pryor Street.
13. What is the Community Zoning Board and what do they do?
The Community Zoning Board (CZB) is a 7-member board appointed by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. The CZB is responsible for making recommendations on rezoning and use permit applications for property within unincorporated Fulton County; amendments to the text of the Fulton County Zoning Resolution; and amendments to the text and associated map of the Fulton County Comprehensive Plan.You may write to the members individually or collectively at:
Fulton County Community Zoning Board
141 Pryor Street, S.W., Suite 2085
Atlanta, GA 30303
14. Where and when is the Community Zoning Board meeting held?
The Community Zoning Board Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. These meetings are held monthly at the South Service Center.
The results of the Board of Commissioners meetings will be found on the Fulton County web site at www.myfultoncountyga.us .
The results of the Communtiy Zoning Board meetings are availale at www.fultonecd.org/zoning/current.htm
16.
What is the Board of Zoning Appeals and what do they do?
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a 7-member board appointed by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. The BZA is responsible for hearing and deciding appeals on primary variances; interpretation of any of the provisions of the Zoning Resolution by the Director of E&CD; allegations that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by any Fulton County official in the enforcement of the Zoning Resolution; and a permitting or procedural decision of the Department Director or Deputy Director regarding minor or administrative variances. You may address the members by writing to: The Board of Zoning Appeals
Department of Environment & Community Development
141 Pryor Street, S.W.
Suite 2085
Atlanta, GA 30303
17. Where and when is the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held?
The Fulton County Board of Zoning Appeals meets the third Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the South Service Center at 5600 Stonewall Tell Road..
18. I want to divide my property into two or more lots. Do I need any approvals to do so?
You may create new lots by subdividing your property according to the standards set up in the Fulton County Subdivision Regulations. All types of subdivision require the new configuration to be platted. There are various categories of plats. There will be requirements for certain public improvements associated with the process. Extensive engineering documents may be necessary to support your project. To find out about the information the County requires you to submit in order to approve the division of your property, call 404 730-7800 and asked to speak to the plan review section.
Our review and approval of the plat will assure that your property is in compliance with all development regulations, including zoning and health regulations. The process can take between two weeks to a few months, depending on the size of your project and the response from your engineer or surveyor. The cost of a Plat is $350 plus $5 per lot.
19. How do I get my plat recorded?
Once your Plat has gained approval, you are responsible for recording this plat with the Clerk of Superior Court. Once recorded, you must bring 17 copies of the recorded plat back to this department before any building permit can be issued. For more information on this process, contact our office at 404-730-7800 and ask to speak to our plan review section.
20.
How much will a building permit cost and what do I need to get one?
Please click here for information on the 2004 Fee Schedules and Tables.
General Permitting Requirements:
- A minimum of two site plans of the property, drawn to engineers scale for new structures and additions. The site plans should not exceed 11" x 17". Please see the Site Plan Review Checklist.
- For commercial, office or apartment construction, you must first have your building plans approved by this department. Submit 3 sets of plans and allow 2-5 days for review.
- For all commercial, office or apartment construction (excluding apartment interior construction), you must first have an approved Land Disturbance Permit. Information on how to apply for a Land Disturbance Permit may be obtained from our Plans Review Division at 404-730-7800.
- For residential properties, you must be located in a recorded subdivision, your exact lot must have existed before 1967 or you must have an approved Plat.
- If your property is located within 2,000 feet of the Chattahoochee River, you must have an approved River Corridor Application. For information on how to file a River Corridor Permit, call our office at 404-730-7800.
- You will also pay water and sewer hook-up fees at the time you receive a building permit, as well as a $25 processing fee.
- If your property will use a septic tank, you must first have a Septic Tank Permit from the Health Department. Call the Fulton County Health Department at 404-730-1211 for details.
21. Does my building permit cover the work being performed by my sub-contractors?
No. Although all fees may have been paid at the time you were issued a building permit, the sub-contractor's work is not permitted until he has submitted an Affidavit form or Installation list to our office. The form or installation list is available for our offices at 770-306-3036 or 404-730-7800 or visit the Permit Application link.
22.
How do I get a Demolition Permit to demolish a structure?
To obtain a Demolition Permit you must make an application at our downtown office at 141 Pryor Street. You must know the business license number of the contractor who is going to demolish the structure. If the structure contains asbestos, your contractor must present his Asbestos Contracting License and Notification of Asbestos Renovation, Encapsulation or Demolition from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Asbestos Licensing and Certification Unit, Environmental Protection Division. In most cases, the demolition of an entire structure requires a Pest Control Letter from the Health Department (404-730-1211).
23. How
can I get a copy of the final plat of my subdivision?
The final plats of all subdivisions are recorded with the Clerk of the Superior Court. A copy of your final plat may be obtained in the records room of the Superior Court. Call 404-730-5305 for information on how to obtain your copy.
24. Where
do I get Topographic Maps and Aerial Photos of my property?
Aerial photography and topographic maps are available from the Department of Environment and Community Development on the 5th floor of the Government Center. The cost is $25 per sheet (5000'x5000'). Aerial images and topographic information is also available on our GIS website.
25. How can I get my building plans reviewed and approved?
To have your building plans approved, submit 3 set of plans to the Department of Environment and Community Development and allow 5-10 days for review. All building plans for structures other than single family homes must be approved before you can obtain a Building Permit. This review is primarily to review for compliance for building codes, fire codes and accessibility. Fifty percent (50%) of the permit fee must be paid in advance for this review. No architectural review is required for single family homes although a site plan review is required.
26. Who do I call for a plumbing/electrical/mechanical/framing/building inspection?
To call for a building or trade inspection, please call 404-730-5858. This is our interactive voice response (IVR) line. You must know your permit number and type of inspection you are requesting by code. To obtain a copy of the list of codes call 404 730-7800. Your inspection will be automatically scheduled. You may find the results of the inspection after 48-hours by calling the same number and following the instructions given.
27. How can I check to see if my inspection passed?
To find out your inspection status, call 404 730-5858 and, follow the instructions of the interactive voice response (IVR)system. If your inspection did not pass, or if you have specific questions for your inspector, please call the inspector who conducted your inspection or the supervisor. Inspector’s office hours are 8:00 am – 9:00 am daily. Call 770-612-2718 for more information.
28. Complaint regarding inspection-
You may file a written complaint with:
Department of Environment & Community Development
Complaints - Building and Inspections Section
Development Division
141 Pryor Street, SE, Suite 2085, Atlanta, GA 30303Please include the address of the property, permit number (if known), and the name of the inspector/firm. An investigation will be put into place, and you will receive information as to what, if anything, can be done to rectify the problem.
29. The inspector did not approve my inspection. May I obtain the services of an engineer?
Yes. However, the engineer must be a participant in the Fulton County Private Inspector's program. That engineer will need to conduct the inspection and then write a letter outlining the corrective action that was taken and why the item now passes. This letter must be addressed and delivered to the inspector who turned the item down in the original inspection. All turned down items must be addressed in detail. If found acceptable, the County inspector will release the inspection.
30. Once all my inspections have passed, where do I get my Certificate of Occupancy?
You may pick up your Certificate of Occupancy at either of our offices. They are:
Downtown Main Office- 141 Pryor Street; Stuite 2085, Atlanta, GA, 404-730-7800
South Service Center- 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, GA, 770-612-3036 (Residential CO's only)Please call for the Certificate of Occupancy at least two weeks before you know you will need it. Commercial C.O.s are only issued from the main office.
31. Are water and sewer services available to my property?
To find out if water and/or sewer is available to your property, call the Public Works Department at 404-730-7400.
32. How do I get sewer service to my property?
First, you must find out if sewer is available in your area. Do this by calling the Public Works Department at 404-730-7400. If sewer is available to your property, you then must pay a sewer connection fee in the Department of Environment and Community Development at 141 Pryor Street, Suite 2085. The connection fee varies in different locations.If sewer service is not available to your property, you may petition the Public Works Department to extend the sewer line to accommodate you. You will be responsible for the entire cost of such an extension.
33. How do I get an irrigation water meter and how much does it cost?
Please click here for information on irrigation water meters and cost...
34.
Why has my water meter not been installed?
If you have made application for a household water meter and it has not yet been installed, call the Public Works Department at 730-410-3421 or 404-730-7400 to find out when you are scheduled for installation.
35.
How do I get a curb cut permit?
In order to build a driveway or to gain access from a public street to your property or building structure you must obtain a Curb Cut Permit or a building permit. If your property is not located on a major thoroughfare (GaDOT road), the Department of Environment and Community Development will review and issue a Curb Cut Permit. The cost is $17.50.
36. When is a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) Required?
Any activity which involves the moving of large quantities of dirt (within an area of 5,000 s.f. or more) on a site not being developed for a single family residential building will require a land disturbance permit. There are instances when a Land Disturbance Permit may be required for the building of a home. To determine whether or not an LDP is required for the activity you are planning, please contact the Plans Review Division at 404-730-7800.
37.
What is the process for getting my Land Disturbance Permits?
Applications and drawings for Land Disturbance Permits can be submitted between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The person submitting the plans must sign a document stating that the minimal submittal requirements have been met. These documents will be officially logged in for review on the following Wednesday, for monitoring and management purposes.
Staff will have comments ready as quickly as possible, usually within10 business days. The "sign-off for compliance" is normally conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays (after 10:30 a.m.). Staff members from the Plans Review Division are available for appointments and for telephone discussions. Meetings with staff must be scheduled in advance. If changes are made throughout the process, those who have signed before must sign again. When all comments have been met, the permit will be issued after the Senior Staff has overviewed the documents and the permit has been prepared. This usually occurs within 48-hours of the final sign-off. To obtain a copy of these documents and procedures, please call 404-730-7534.
38.
How many sets of plans do I need to submit for a Land Disturbance Permit?
A minimum of six (6) sets of plans, two (2) site plans and two (2) sets of the Hydrology Study are required to be submitted.
39. How do I find out if my property is in a Flood Plain?
Most of the streams in Fulton County have been studied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Those streams which have associated flood plains are depicted on maps which are kept in the Department of Environment and Community Development. If you would like to determine if your property is located in one of these flood prone areas, you may visit our offices between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and meet with the staff of the Plan Review Division. If you would rather obtain copies of these maps for your own, contact FEMA at 770-220-5200.
Main Number – 404-730-7800
Planning, Zoning, Administration, Development, Permitting, Inspections, Code Enforcement, and Environmental AffairsActing Director
Administration and Budget (2nd floor)
Suzanne Moss, Administrative Coordinator III (Personnel, Section Supervisor) 404-730-8068
Environmental Affairs (2nd floor)
Development (2nd floor)
Planning and Zoning (2nd floor)
Support Services (5th floor)