Roof Replacement Permit in DeKalb County, Georgia
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before tearing off and replacing a roof covering, and before any re-roof or roof over, regardless of cost. The wholesale cost exemption for ordinary repairs does not cover a replacement.
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Replacing a roof requires a building permit in unincorporated DeKalb County. Sec. 7-30(a) requires a permit before any alteration or repair to a building other than ordinary repairs, and Sec. 7-2 defines ordinary repairs to exclude replacements to buildings or structures, which puts a roof replacement outside the exemption whatever it costs. The county's separate $3,000 wholesale cost exemption in Sec. 7-30(b) applies only to ordinary repairs to a single family building, so it does not reach a re-roof.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
When a permit is usually needed
Before tearing off and replacing a roof covering, and before any re-roof or roof over, regardless of cost. The wholesale cost exemption for ordinary repairs does not cover a replacement.
What a roof replacement permit costs in DeKalb County
How DeKalb 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 |
| DeKalb Countythis page | Permit required | Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245... |
| Gwinnett County | Permit required | Planning and Development Fee Schedule, "Building Permit Fees (Effective July... |
How to apply in DeKalb 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).
- 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).
- 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. DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Permits, Plan Review and Inspections Division sets the exact checklist for DeKalb County.
Where to apply in DeKalb County:
DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Permits, Plan Review and Inspections Division
- Government Services Center, 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030
- Phone: 404-371-2155 (option 3)
- Email: permitinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov
Inspections and closing out your permit
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.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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 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).
- 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 DeKalb County permit portal or by phone at 404-371-2155 (option 3).
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 DeKalb County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before tearing off and replacing a roof covering, and before any re-roof or roof over, regardless of cost. The wholesale cost exemption for ordinary repairs does not cover a replacement.
- Budget the fee. Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum Permit Fee; $50 Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion). Some commercial projects require Fire Review & Inspection Fees ($100 Fire Life Safety Review; $100 Fire Site Review; $100 Fire Inspection). Please note that additional fees may apply depending on the type of permit being submitted." DeKalb does not currently publish a full building permit fee schedule online; the fee schedule address printed on the application form no longer resolves to any fee document.
- Apply. 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 DeKalb County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Permits, Plan Review and Inspections Division. Phone: 404-371-2155 (option 3). Address: Government Services Center, 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030.
- Plan for inspections. 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 DeKalb County?
- Replacing a roof requires a building permit in unincorporated DeKalb County. Sec. 7-30(a) requires a permit before any alteration or repair to a building other than ordinary repairs, and Sec. 7-2 defines ordinary repairs to exclude replacements to buildings or structures, which puts a roof replacement outside the exemption whatever it costs. The county's separate $3,000 wholesale cost exemption in Sec. 7-30(b) applies only to ordinary repairs to a single family building, so it does not reach a re-roof. Always confirm with the DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Permits, Plan Review and Inspections Division before starting.
- How much does a roof replacement permit cost in DeKalb County?
- Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum Permit Fee; $50 Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion). Some commercial projects require Fire Review & Inspection Fees ($100 Fire Life Safety Review; $100 Fire Site Review; $100 Fire Inspection). Please note that additional fees may apply depending on the type of permit being submitted." DeKalb does not currently publish a full building permit fee schedule online; the fee schedule address printed on the application form no longer resolves to any fee document. Contact the office for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in DeKalb County?
- You can apply through the DeKalb County permit portal or contact the DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Permits, Plan Review and Inspections Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a roof replacement permit themselves in DeKalb 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 DeKalb County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in DeKalb County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Electrical Permit Application (revised 07/09/2025): "Fee Schedule: MINIMUM FEE $120... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of the fence | Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Mechanical Permit Application (revised 07/09/2025): "Fee Schedule: MINIMUM FEE $120. |
| Patio Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Plumbing Permit Application: "Fee Schedule: MINIMUM FEE $120 Additional $200 for Fire... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | prefabricated pools installed entirely above ground | Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum... |
| Shed Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum... |
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 DeKalb County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
Verified by a person against the sources above on , not confirmed with DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Permits, Plan Review 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
Permit office
DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Permits, Plan Review and Inspections Division
404-371-2155 (option 3)Permit portal