The Department of City Planning has moved to a completely electronic process for permit applications and issuance. All permit types must now be submitted online via the Accela Citizen website– except for Express permits, which are only accepted in person.
 

To obtain a commercial construction permit, stamped and sealed architectural and site plans must be submitted to the Department of City Planning, Office of Buildings. Additional documentation is required based on the type of permit needed. Checklists, detailing requirements for obtaining specific permits, and links to forms can be found HERE. To obtain a commercial permit for construction at the airport, prior approval from the Department of Aviation is required before submission of plans to the Office of Buildings.
 
NOTE: Effective June 25, 2025, per Ordinance #25-O-1341, all applicants whose projects may affect trees are required to schedule and complete an arborist meeting with the Arborist Plan Review staff in the Office of Buildings before submitting a permit application. For questions, or to schedule a meeting, please contact the Arborist Division via email at Arborist.dpcd@atlantaga.gov or by phone at 404-330-6874. 

The minimum cost for a permit is $150, plus a $25 technology fee. The permit fee schedule for the City of Atlanta, found in the Code of Ordinances, can be accessed by clicking HERE. The ATL Permit Navigator is a useful tool for determining the types of permits needed for a project and the costs for said permits. 
 
Listed below are types of projects (exceeding 10,000 sq. ft.) that are submitted to the Commercial Permits Division:   

• Land development & infrastructure (LDP)
• New construction
• Commercial, mixed-use, multifamily over 25,000 sq.ft.
• Additions over 25,000 sq.ft.
• Parking decks (above and underground)
• Foundation/concrete package
• Fuel dispensing station with canopy
• Underground fuel tank storage
• Commercial conversions over 10,000 sq.ft.
• Interior alterations (t.i.) over 10,000 sq.ft.
• White-box spec suite over 10,000 sq.ft.
• Commercial demolition (complete building removal)
• Interior demolition over 10,000 sq.ft.
• Modular trailers/classroom trailers
• Collocation/telecommunication cell tower/rooftop
• Hartsfield Jackson International Airport
• Commercial swimming pools
• Cell towers

 For status updates on submitted permits, visit the Accela Citizen website. 

The Office of Buildings, Commercial Permits Division is located at –

55 Trinity Ave. SW

3rd Floor – Suite 3900

Atlanta, GA 30303

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM

For additional information, contact the Office of Buildings, Commercial Permits Division, via email at commercial-oob@atlantaga.gov or by phone at 404-546-1704.