Planning and Development reviews plans, issues permits, and performs inspections for residential and commercial land development and building construction projects.

Land development permitting and inspection services include site layout design, grading, erosion control, water and sewer utility installation, stormwater management, floodplain requirements, stream buffer variances, addressing, assignment of street names and subdivision names, sign permits ordinance, tree ordinance, and landscape regulations.

Building construction permitting and inspection services include house construction, house additions, decks, accessory structures, commercial building construction, retaining walls, tenant certificates of occupancy, fire suppression systems, temporary tents, and mechanical/electrical/plumbing trade permits.

Permitting & Inspection Process

Applications for construction permits and inspection requests are submitted through Gwinnett County’s ZIP Portal.

After an applicant has successfully completed the plan review process, paid applicable fees, and provided contractor information, a construction permit is issued to the contractor of record.  During construction, inspections are required. Inspections can be scheduled online using the department’s ZIP Portal. To schedule an inspection, you must have a permit case number (Example: RESBLD2022-00001).

A homeowner may be issued a permit to perform such work on their property upon proof of ownership and will be required to submit a signed Property Owner as Contractor Affidavit. The following work does not require a permit under Gwinnett County’s ordinances:

• Replacement of any switch, fan, light fixture, or similar work that does not alter the mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems
• Cosmetic repairs or remodels such as painting, new flooring, cabinets, vinyl siding, and similar finish work
• Storage buildings that are 120 square feet or less
• Concrete work for driveways, sidewalks, and basketball slabs (Not to exceed 35% coverage of the front yard.)
• Fences that are 8 feet or less in height. For brick columns or front yard fences, please contact Planning and Development. 

Private Inspection Services

The Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development allows private sector companies to provide limited county-authorized development and building services. View the current authorized providers:

• Third Party Engineers and Inspectors
• Third Party Geotechnical Testing Firms
• Special Inspection Agents

Resources

The Gwinnett County Unified Development Ordinance, Construction Code, and Sign Ordinance are available in the Gwinnett County Code of Ordinances on Municode.

• How to apply for a Residential Accessory Structure Permit Video

Submit questions for commercial and multifamily construction permitting to
P&D-CustomerService@GwinnettCounty.com.

Submit questions for single family house and townhome construction permitting to
P&D-BuildingPermits@GwinnettCounty.com.

Submit building inspection questions to P&D-BuildingInspections@GwinnettCounty.com.

Submit land development inspection questions to P&D-DevelopmentInspections@GwinnettCounty.com.