Atlanta ADU permit requirements

Effective June 25 2025, applicants whose projects may affect trees must complete an arborist meeting with Arborist Plan Review before submitting the application.

Tree survey, critical-root-zone impact calcs, tree inventory, replacement plan, and protection fencing, or a 'No Trees Impacted Statement' with two site photos.

The residential permit application: project address, scope, cost of construction, owner/contractor/architect info, the Plan Distribution Worksheet, contractor-licensing affidavit, and Projected Cost of Construction form.

First plan sheet stating project name, owner, address, scope of work, and the applicable codes (IRC with Georgia amendments).

All sides of the proposed structure and detached accessory structures, showing openings and exterior wall finishes.

Room labels by use, window/door sizes, wall thickness, stair width, and riser/tread/handrail/guardrail dimensions for all proposed structures.

Footing and/or slab details with support piers and sizes.

Floor-framing, ceiling-framing, roof plan, and roof-framing with member sizes; pre-engineered components need manufacturer specs and sealed truss drawings.

Recent boundary/topographic survey signed and sealed by a Georgia Registered Land Surveyor, plus a final plat copy if the lot is in a subdivision.

Plans prepared and sealed by a Georgia-registered architect or engineer, plus two copies of the completed, stamped, signed RAAC form.

Required on new construction (floor area, occupancy type, existing vs new connection); septic requires the county septic permit.

Proposed footprint, driveway, decks/pool/accessory structures, impervious surfaces, retaining walls, setbacks/easements with dimensions, 2-ft contours, finished-floor elevation, and lot-coverage / floor-area-ratio calculations.

Typical wall section foundation-through-roof specifying girders, beams, headers, joists, rafters, and trusses (TJI & LVL); deck/porch and retaining-wall details.

Signed/sealed grading plan with cut/fill contours and a dirt-quantity statement, plus a soil-&-erosion-control plan with BMPs; work near a stream/floodplain/wetland needs GSWCC Level II certification.

For certain zoning, historic-district, or Beltline overlay districts, two sets of plans stamped by the Urban Design Commission and/or Office of Planning.

If work touches the right-of-way (aprons, sidewalks, curb cuts, sewer taps, new driveway), submit survey/site plan + Qualified Contractor's application; a separate Office of Traffic permit is required.

If required, two copies of a BZA-granted variance/special-exception letter with the Office of Planning stamp.