City of Dahlonega -- Building Permit Information -- (For information only)

 

Permits are required before any grading, construction, installation of mobile homes, alterations or additions to buildings or demolition is started.  Development plans are required for all construction/development, except single family residences. 

 
In order to provide better service with fewer conflicts, please contact Chris Head at the Planning Office as soon as possible to discuss your project and any plans that might be required. City Hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

 Below is some of the information needed to permit your project.   

 

Property with a driveway accessed from a state road must be permitted from the GA Department of Transportation.  This permit must be issued before a building permit can be obtained from the city.  Residential permit requests should be referred to Dale Westmoreland at 706/348-4848.  Commercial/other permit requests should be referred to  District Access Management supervisor at 770/532-5563.

 
Check with the Planning Office for availability of water and sewer services.  If sewer service is not available we require a copy of the septic permit before a building permit can be issued. (This permit is issued by the Health Department)

 
Water and sewer tap fees must be paid before or at the time the building permit is issued.   Two separate checks, one for the building permit and one for the water/sewer taps will be required.  
 

Building Plans are required for Commercial or multi-family buildings. Plan review can take up to three weeks.

 
For a single family residence please bring a survey of the property with the footprint of  the house and the setbacks shown.  You can draw the house and setbacks on the survey yourself.   No part of the structure can be within the setback.
 

 For commercial project- a permit will not be issued until development plans have been reviewed and approved.  Building plans must also be submitted and reviewed.  Approval by state fire marshal may also be required, depending on use and size of structure

 
All electrical, plumbing and mechanical work must be performed by licensed personnel.  These people as well as the general contractor must be licensed and registered with the city.  Call Chris Head for registration information.  Plumbing, electrical and mechanical contractors must sign an affidavit for each job.  Affidavits must be in the office before a rough in inspection is given.  Forms are available at the office.

 Erosion and Sedimentation Controls - The City of Dahlonega considers erosion and sedimentation controls a very important part of any construction project. An E&S inspection will be made. Silt fence must be installed in all areas deemed necessary by the inspector. A proper construction pad must be in place at all entrances to the site. Failure to maintain all E&S controls will delay inspections and could also result in fines. Call for more information.  

To schedule an inspection: Call 706/864-6133 City Hall, one day before inspection is needed. Porta-john’s must be on site before inspections start. Sub contractor affidavits must be in the office before the rough in inspection is scheduled.

 

Street addresses are assigned by the Lumpkin County Planning Office.  (706/864-6894)   Once your driveway is installed give them a copy of your building permit and they will assign an address.

 

The City of Dahlonega enforces the current codes listed below as adopted by GA Department of Community Affairs.

 

Current Codes as Adopted by DCA - Mandatory Codes:
  • International Building Code, 2006 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2007)
  • International Residential Code, 2006 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2007)
  • International Fire Code, 2006 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2007)
  • International Plumbing Code, 2006 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2007)
  • International Mechanical Code, 2006 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2007)
  • International Fuel Gas Code, 2006 Edition,
    with Georgia Amendments (2007)
  • National Electrical Code, 2005 Edition,
    with Georgia Amendments (2006)
  • International Energy Conservation Code, 2000 Edition,
    with Georgia Supplements and Amendments (2003), Supplements and Amendments (2005), Supplements and Amendments (2006), and Supplements and Amendments (2007)

Subdivision, Multifamily or Commercial development plans are to consist of not less than the following and are to be prepared in accordance with the City’s Development and Zoning Regulations which are available at the office or on the City’s Website: cityofdahlonega.com  

  1.  Development/Site Plan - i.e. building footprint, parking, setbacks, landscape strip, etc…

  2.  Erosion & Sediment Control Plan

  3.  Grading and Drainage Plans include a Storm water Plan

  4.  Tree Plan per city’s Tree Ordinance  

  5.  Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) from State if required will take two months or longer,
       the city will coordinate this review.  

  6.  GA Department of Transportation (GDOT) Permit is required if driveway access is from state road.
        Call 770/532-5563 for permit info.

  7.  NPDES Permit from EPA is required for any project which disturbs one acre or more.
       Call 770/387-4900

  8.  Street Improvement Plan if applicable

  9.  Utility Plans water and sewer.  These plans must also be approved by the State.

10.  As built plans, if applicable

 

The initial review process takes approximately 2-4 weeks.  Project Approval can take several weeks, submit your plans early.  If a variance, rezoning or annexation is involved, this process can take up to several months.
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