News and Notices

• Unified Plan 2040 Open House Community Meetings

Several types of residential building permits may be obtained online.  Click here for additional information.

The Department of Planning and Development is committed to issuing each residential building permit within three (3) business days following receipt of the completed application with all applicable approvals.

Gwinnett County Stormwater Management Manual – effective date March 1, 2018

Effective April 1, 2018, the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System currently used for scheduling inspections will be permanently taken out of service primarily because it no longer meets the current industry security standards.  Current IVR customers are encouraged to begin scheduling inspections online which is considerably more expedient and user-friendly. 

Inspections can be scheduled online at the department E-Services webpages with a personal computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.  Click here and refer to “Schedule a Building Inspection” for additional information including instructions and contact information for assistance. 

To assist further, training sessions are being scheduled at the Department of Planning and Development from January to June 2018 on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of each month at 2 – 3 p.m.  Walk-in attendees are welcome and a reservation is not required.

The Department of Planning and Development is pleased to announce a new procedure for submitting Certificate of Development Conformance (CDC) packages for review.  Effective December 1, 2017, online submittal of CDC packages will replace the current paper submittal for the ease and convenience of department customers.  Click here for additional information.

• Storm Sewer CCTV Requirement Memo

• Specimen Tree Survey Submittal Memo

Effective for Residential Building Permits issued on or after 3/1/2017,  the installation of the insulation for each residence will require inspection by a Gwinnett County Building Inspector.

Inspection of the insulation can be scheduled online at www.gwinnettcounty.com by selecting “Residential Energy code /Insulation inspection.

Click here for additional details.  

For questions, please contact Building Inspections at 678-518-6050 between 7:00 and 7:30am or 3:00pm and 4:00pm (Mon-Fri)

• Storm Sewer Pipe Ordinance

• Noise Control Ordinance Amendment Memorandum
• Noise Control Ordinance signed resolution

Effective for residential building permits issued on or after 7/1/2016, installation of the sewer lateral for each residence including the connection to the Gwinnett County public sewer system requires inspection by a building inspector.

Inspection of the sewer lateral can be scheduled online at www.gwinnettcounty.com by selecting “Plumbing Sewer Lateral” inspection.

Click here for additional details.

For questions, please contact Building Inspections at 678.518.6050 during 7-7:30 a.m. / 3-4 p.m. (Mon – Fri).

Effective for residential building permits issued on or after 2/1/2016:

A preconstruction conference is required for the first building permit issued to each permit holder within every new subdivision for construction of new single-family residences.  After issuance of the permit, the permit holder will contact Building Inspections to schedule a preconstruction conference prior to commencing construction. 

The conference will assist the permit holder by providing beneficial information regarding inspection procedures, specific zoning conditions, erosion control measures, landscaping and other important site development requirements.

For questions, additional information, or to schedule a preconstruction conference, please contact Building Inspections at 678.518.6050 during 7-7:30 a.m. / 3-4 p.m. (Mon – Fri).

• Sign Ordinance (Memorandum of Key Changes) July 2015

The Gwinnett County Construction Code (GCCC) was adopted by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on December 16, 2014 with an effective date of January 1, 2015. The GCCC replaces the previous edition of the Construction Code adopted on November 5, 1991 by the Board of Commissioners in its entirety.

The GCCC establishes the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare for new and existing buildings, structures, electrical systems, fuel gas piping systems, mechanical systems, and plumbing systems.

Summary of Key Changes:

• Construction documents prepared by a registered design professional shall bear a current date of seal within 180 days of the date of permit issuance.
• Construction documents prepared by a registered design professional are required for one- and two-family dwellings with total floor area of 7,500 square feet or greater.
• Incorporated the provisions of the Georgia State Minimum Standard Existing Building Code.
• Proof of contractor licenses required in coordination with state and local regulations.
• Increased the maximum size of one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, and other similar uses that are exempt from permitting to 120 square feet of floor area.
• No more than one extension and one renewal may be granted for each building permit.
• Additional conditions applicable to building permit expiration:
  • The required weather-resistant building envelope is not complete within 360 days pertinent to one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, or multi-family or commercial buildings no greater than 4 stories in height.
  • Change in permit holder.
• Incorporated the provisions of Appendix F (Radon Control Methods) of the Georgia State Minimum Standard One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code.

Adoption of the Gwinnett County Construction Code Memorandum (PDF)
Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Resolution to Adopt the Construction Code (PDF)
Gwinnett County Construction Code(PDF)

Beginning December 1, 2014, the Department of Planning and Development will maintain one departmental project file containing a set of approved plans rather than a project file within each plan review section. To ensure the permitted development plans are in compliance with all applicable regulations and requirements, the approval stamp and/or signature of all plan review sections of the Department of Planning and Development must be on each of four (4) plan sets prior to the issuance of a development permit, please refer to deliverables to the department listed in the this memorandum.

This change is being made in order to be compliant with Sections 340-20 and 340-30 of the Unified Development Ordinance. To make this new procedure as easy as possible for our customers, we are implementing a “One-Stop’ plan approval process. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement changes in an effort to continuously improve the service we provide our customers. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call 678-518-6004.

Revisions to the Development Plan Approval and Permitting Process Memorandum (PDF)

Revised Plan Submittal Approval and Final Plat Process Memorandum (PDF)

Effective February 25, 2014, per the Unified Development Ordinance, Section 230-130.4.C, all donation collection bins located within unincorporated Gwinnett County require a permit, must be located within zoning districts C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1, and M-2, or on the premises of a public building, library, school, or church in any zoning district, and must meet additional requirements. A separate permit application must be filed for each donation bin with a fee of $100.00 per bin. Applications are received and reviewed by the Development Plan Review Section of the Department of Planning and Development located at One Justice Square 446 West Crogan St. Suite 150, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.  Should you have any questions please contact the Department at 678.518.6000.

Below is the Gwinnett County Short Term Work Program Report of Accomplishments for the 2009-2014 short term projects identified in the 2030 Unified Plan.  Also included is the 2014-2019 Short Term Work Program.

Gwinnett County Short Term Work Program Report of Accomplishments (DRAFT) (PDF)

The Department of Planning and Development plans to make changes to the procedure for inspecting smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for one- and two-family dwellings effective 8/1/2013 (for smoke alarms) and 1/1/2014 (for carbon monoxide alarms). Click here for details.

Builder Licensing 

The State of Georgia requires a license from the State Licensing Board for residential builders and general contractors (Effective July 1, 2008). Please see the Georgia Secretary of State website for complete information. Additional information is available at the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association website.

• New Solid Waste Fee Procedures (PDF)
• Department of Planning and Development Offers New Online Services
• New Submittal Requirements for Single-family Residential Architectural Elevations (PDF)
• Signage for Political Campaigns
• NPDES Certification Notice
• Traffic Calming Design Standards Notice (PDF)