Roof Replacement Permit in Cobb County, Georgia
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Issued byCobb County Community Development Agency, Development and Inspections Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
No Cobb County page names roof replacement or reroofing as a distinct permit category. The Residential Permitting checklist lists a general Home Renovations category without describing what renovation work it covers. Georgia's state minimum code sets no answer either, since the state deleted the IRC administrative chapter that would otherwise define a reroofing exemption. Contact Development and Inspections at (770) 528-2060 to confirm whether a specific roof replacement project requires a permit.
Applying yourself? Start with the office.
What a roof replacement permit costs in Cobb County
How Cobb County compares in Georgia
No Georgia jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Permit required | Not published |
| Cobb Countythis page | Not confirmed | Fee follows the small residential construction cost table, $80 base for cost... |
| DeKalb County | Permit required | ...Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195... |
| Gwinnett County | Permit required | ...Building Permit Fees: Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than... |
How to apply in Cobb County
In Cobb County, a residential reroof permit application is lighter than for structural work: you state whether the scope is a full tear-off (roof replacement) or an overlay (roof recover), describe the covering material and its manufacturer instructions, and note the condition of the existing deck, since those facts determine which code path applies.
What most roof replacement permit applications include:
- State on the application whether the job is a roof replacement, which strips all existing layers down to the bare deck, or a roof recover, which leaves the old covering in place under specific conditions, since the two scopes are governed differently (IRC R908.3).
- For Cobb County, a recover is only an option where the new covering follows the roof covering manufacturer's approved instructions or is a self-supporting system, such as standing-seam metal, that does not rely on the existing roof for support (IRC R908.3.1).
- Full tear-off must be scoped on the application instead of a recover when the existing roof is water soaked or deteriorated, is slate, clay, cement, or asbestos-cement tile, or already carries two or more layers of roof covering (IRC R908.3.1.1).
- For Cobb County, the materials and installation methods described on the application must comply with the reroofing requirements of the roof-assemblies chapter (IRC R908.1).
- If the scope reuses existing slate, clay, or cement tile, damaged or broken pieces cannot be listed for reinstallation, and any rusted or deteriorated flashings, edgings, outlets, or vents uncovered during tear-off must be scoped for replacement (IRC R908.5).
General submittal guidance from IRC Section R908 Reroofing (text as adopted in the 2020 Residential Code of New York State, based on the 2018 IRC). Source. Cobb County Community Development Agency, Development and Inspections Division sets the exact checklist for Cobb County.
Where to apply in Cobb County:
Cobb County Community Development Agency, Development and Inspections Division
- 1150 Powder Springs St, Ste 400, Marietta, GA 30064
- Phone: (770) 528-2060
- Email: building@cobbcounty.gov
Roof Replacement Permit in Cobb County compared with nearby Georgia localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Georgia schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobb County | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Fee follows the small residential construction cost table, $80 base for cost up to... | |
| Atlanta | Permit required | Any size | Not published | |
| DeKalb County | Permit required | Any size | Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum... | |
| Gwinnett County | Permit required | Any size | "Other Building Permit Fees: Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than $75,000) |... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Cobb County, most residential reroofs get two to three field inspections keyed to the scope of work: a deck or nailing check when sheathing is exposed or replaced, a final on the completed covering and flashings, and in some high-wind regions a dedicated check of mitigation measures added during tear-off.
- In Cobb County: where the covering is fully removed and the sheathing is exposed, replaced, or added, inspectors check the deck and its nailing before any new roofing goes down, since the structural framework must be able to carry the new covering's loads (IRC R908.2).
- In Cobb County: an overlay is only approved where it meets one of the code's listed recover conditions, such as installation in accordance with the covering manufacturer's approved instructions (IRC R908.3.1).
- In Cobb County: flashings disturbed or replaced during the job are checked against the approved manufacturer's installation instructions, and metal flashing that will receive bituminous material must be primed before installation (IRC R908.6).
- In Cobb County: a final inspection confirms the completed roof covering and its fasteners were installed as required for that material and per manufacturer instructions before the permit is closed (IRC R905).
- In Cobb County: in some regions with strengthened wind provisions, reroofing an older single-family home also triggers inspection of supplemental deck-nailing and a secondary water barrier added during tear-off, on top of the base reroofing requirements (Florida Building Code, Residential R908.7 Mitigation).
- In Cobb County: reinstalled existing slate, clay, or cement tile is checked against reuse limits at inspection, and any rusted, damaged, or deteriorated flashings, edgings, outlets, or vents found during tear-off must be replaced rather than reinstalled (IRC R908.5).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Cobb County permit portal or by phone at (770) 528-2060.
Inspection sequence from IRC Section R908 Reroofing and Section R905 Roof Coverings (2021 International Residential Code). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Roof Replacement Permit checklist for Cobb County
- Confirm the requirement. Not confirmed, contact the office.
- Budget the fee. Fee follows the small residential construction cost table, $80 base for cost up to $15,000 rising by tier to $450 (or $6 per $1,000 above $75,001), plus a $15 technology fee; re-roofs have no separate residential fee line, per the 2024 Fee Schedule effective 7/1/2024. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Cobb County, a residential reroof permit application is lighter than for structural work: you state whether the scope is a full tear-off (roof replacement) or an overlay (roof recover), describe the covering material and its manufacturer instructions, and note the condition of the existing deck, since those facts determine which code path applies. Start at the Cobb County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Cobb County Community Development Agency, Development and Inspections Division. Phone: (770) 528-2060. Address: 1150 Powder Springs St, Ste 400, Marietta, GA 30064.
- Plan for inspections. In Cobb County, most residential reroofs get two to three field inspections keyed to the scope of work: a deck or nailing check when sheathing is exposed or replaced, a final on the completed covering and flashings, and in some high-wind regions a dedicated check of mitigation measures added during tear-off.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a roof replacement permit in Cobb County?
- No Cobb County page names roof replacement or reroofing as a distinct permit category. The Residential Permitting checklist lists a general Home Renovations category without describing what renovation work it covers. Georgia's state minimum code sets no answer either, since the state deleted the IRC administrative chapter that would otherwise define a reroofing exemption. Contact Development and Inspections at (770) 528-2060 to confirm whether a specific roof replacement project requires a permit. Always confirm with the Cobb County Community Development Agency, Development and Inspections Division before starting.
- How much does a roof replacement permit cost in Cobb County?
- Fee follows the small residential construction cost table, $80 base for cost up to $15,000 rising by tier to $450 (or $6 per $1,000 above $75,001), plus a $15 technology fee; re-roofs have no separate residential fee line, per the 2024 Fee Schedule effective 7/1/2024. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in Cobb County?
- You can apply through the Cobb County permit portal or contact the Cobb County Community Development Agency, Development and Inspections Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a roof replacement permit themselves in Cobb County?
- Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(h); O.C.G.A. 43-14-13(d); O.C.G.A. 43-14-14): Georgia's contractor licensing law has a true owner builder exemption at O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(h), not 43-41-17(b). A property owner may construct a building on land the owner owns and act as his or her own contractor, personally providing direct supervision and management, but only if the finished building is intended solely for occupancy by the owner and the owner's family, firm, or corporation, is not for use by the general public, and is not offered for sale or lease. If the owner sold or transferred a self-built structure within the prior 24 months, measured from that structure's certificate of occupancy, the law presumes the new project was not really for personal occupancy and the exemption is unavailable without a license. The owner may not delegate supervision to any unlicensed person, and all work must still comply with county or municipal permitting and inspection requirements. For trade work, O.C.G.A. 43-14-13(d) separately allows an individual to install, alter, or repair plumbing, heating and air conditioning fixtures, and electrical or low-voltage wiring in a residential dwelling the individual owns or occupies, again in conformity with the codes and any local permit and inspection rules. Unlicensed trade work outside these exemptions is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or six months imprisonment or both (O.C.G.A. 43-14-14). Confirm how Cobb County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Cobb County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
None of the 7 project types verified for Cobb County carry a size or scope threshold. See the Permit needed column for each project's own answer, since there is no threshold to compare here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Decks are subject to a $100 site plan review fee in addition to the tiered residential... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Electrical work is billed as an $80 trade permit under the Cobb County Building Permit... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | HVAC and mechanical work is billed as an $80 trade permit under the Cobb County Building... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Plumbing work is billed as an $80 trade permit under the Cobb County Building Permit Fee... |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Pool permits carry a $250 minimum fee under the Cobb County Building Permit Fee Schedule... |
| Shed Permit | Permit required | Accessory structures are subject to a $100 site plan review fee in addition to the... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Fee follows the small residential construction cost table, $80 base for cost up to... |
Roof Replacement Permit in other Georgia localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Cobb County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this roof replacement permit page for Cobb County was verified. 2 official sources: cobbcounty.gov, assets.cobbcounty.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Cobb County Community Development Agency, Development and Inspections Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Roof Replacement Permit requirements across Georgia localities