Can a homeowner pull a roof replacement permit themselves in Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett County applies this before you apply.

Georgia / Gwinnett County

Roof Replacement Permit in Gwinnett County, Georgia

Permit required

Yes, a permit is required

Before replacing a roof covering or repairing roof structure on a house.

Confirmed on official page Verified 16 Aug 2026

Issued byGwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Building Division

By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources

Quick answer

Replacing a roof is repair or alteration of a building, and Gwinnett County Construction Code section 106.1 requires anyone who intends to repair or alter a building or structure to apply to the building official and obtain a permit first. Nothing in the county's exemption lists covers roofing: the Construction Code's section 106.4 list does not mention it, and the Building Services page's cosmetic exemption names "painting, new flooring, cabinets, vinyl siding, and similar finish work" but stops short of roof covering. The county's own weekly Building Permits Issued reports confirm the practice, showing residential permits with a type of work of "Repair" and a use of construction of "ROOF REPLACEMENT", "ROOF COVERING" and "MISC ROOF REPAIR".

Who is pulling this permit?

Apply yourself

Apply on the Gwinnett County permit portal

Hire it out

When a permit is usually needed

Before replacing a roof covering or repairing roof structure on a house.

What a roof replacement permit costs in Gwinnett County

Line itemAmountApplies to

roof replacement permitBy formulaPlanning and Development Fee Schedule, "Building Permit Fees (Effective July 1, 2024)", footer "Revised 05/23/2024". "Other Building Permit Fees: Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than $75,000) | Residential Renovation Permit | $125" and "Extensive Renovation Projects (valued at $75,000 or greater) | Extensive Renovation Permit | $4 per $1,000 of construction value". The schedule also states "Building permit fees include Plan Review and Building Inspections" and prices reinspections at "First Follow-up Inspection $0", "Second Follow-up Inspection $50", "Third and each Subsequent Follow-up Inspection $100", with "Penalty for Construction Prior to Issuance of Permit 100% of the Permit Fee". A residential re-roof valued under $75,000 therefore falls in the $125 Residential Renovation Permit band. Caution on figures: the department's older undated handout "Regulatory Requirements for Residential Permits" still prices this work at "$0.006 x Value of Construction" and the 2012-era step sheets at "$6 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost (minimum fee is $30)", both of which predate the July 1, 2024 schedule. Confirm the current amount with the Permits Section at 678-518-6020 before budgeting.

Fee schedule in forceOfficial scheduleRead 16 Aug 2026. Fees are the jurisdiction’s; we do not mark them up or estimate them.

How Gwinnett 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 County	Permit required	...Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195...
Gwinnett Countythis page	Permit required	...Building Permit Fees: Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than...

How to apply in Gwinnett County

In Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett 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. Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Building Division sets the exact checklist for Gwinnett County.

Where to apply in Gwinnett County:

Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Building Division

Innovation Square, 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 300, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: 678-518-6020
Email: P&D-BuildingPermits@GwinnettCounty.com

Roof Replacement Permit in Gwinnett County compared with nearby Georgia localities

Locality	Permit needed?	Threshold	What each Georgia schedule says	Verified
Gwinnett County	Permit required	Any size	"Other Building Permit Fees: Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than $75,000) \|...	16 Aug 2026
Atlanta	Permit required	Any size	Not published	17 Jun 2026
Cobb County	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Fee follows the small residential construction cost table, $80 base for cost up to...	6 Jul 2026
DeKalb County	Permit required	Any size	Building Permit Application (revised 01/01/2025): "Total Minimum Fees $245 ($195 Minimum...	16 Aug 2026

Inspections and closing out your permit

In Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett County permit portal or by phone at 678-518-6020.

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 Gwinnett County

Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before replacing a roof covering or repairing roof structure on a house.
Budget the fee. Planning and Development Fee Schedule, "Building Permit Fees (Effective July 1, 2024)", footer "Revised 05/23/2024". "Other Building Permit Fees: Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than $75,000) | Residential Renovation Permit | $125" and "Extensive Renovation Projects (valued at $75,000 or greater) | Extensive Renovation Permit | $4 per $1,000 of construction value". The schedule also states "Building permit fees include Plan Review and Building Inspections" and prices reinspections at "First Follow-up Inspection $0", "Second Follow-up Inspection $50", "Third and each Subsequent Follow-up Inspection $100", with "Penalty for Construction Prior to Issuance of Permit 100% of the Permit Fee". A residential re-roof valued under $75,000 therefore falls in the $125 Residential Renovation Permit band. Caution on figures: the department's older undated handout "Regulatory Requirements for Residential Permits" still prices this work at "$0.006 x Value of Construction" and the 2012-era step sheets at "$6 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost (minimum fee is $30)", both of which predate the July 1, 2024 schedule. Confirm the current amount with the Permits Section at 678-518-6020 before budgeting. Official fee schedule.
Apply. In Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett County permit portal.
Keep the office details handy. Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Building Division. Phone: 678-518-6020. Address: Innovation Square, 446 West Crogan Street, Suite 300, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.
Plan for inspections. In Gwinnett 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 16 Aug 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a roof replacement permit in Gwinnett County?: Replacing a roof is repair or alteration of a building, and Gwinnett County Construction Code section 106.1 requires anyone who intends to repair or alter a building or structure to apply to the building official and obtain a permit first. Nothing in the county's exemption lists covers roofing: the Construction Code's section 106.4 list does not mention it, and the Building Services page's cosmetic exemption names "painting, new flooring, cabinets, vinyl siding, and similar finish work" but stops short of roof covering. The county's own weekly Building Permits Issued reports confirm the practice, showing residential permits with a type of work of "Repair" and a use of construction of "ROOF REPLACEMENT", "ROOF COVERING" and "MISC ROOF REPAIR". Always confirm with the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Building Division before starting.
How much does a roof replacement permit cost in Gwinnett County?: Planning and Development Fee Schedule, "Building Permit Fees (Effective July 1, 2024)", footer "Revised 05/23/2024". "Other Building Permit Fees: Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than $75,000) | Residential Renovation Permit | $125" and "Extensive Renovation Projects (valued at $75,000 or greater) | Extensive Renovation Permit | $4 per $1,000 of construction value". The schedule also states "Building permit fees include Plan Review and Building Inspections" and prices reinspections at "First Follow-up Inspection $0", "Second Follow-up Inspection $50", "Third and each Subsequent Follow-up Inspection $100", with "Penalty for Construction Prior to Issuance of Permit 100% of the Permit Fee". A residential re-roof valued under $75,000 therefore falls in the $125 Residential Renovation Permit band. Caution on figures: the department's older undated handout "Regulatory Requirements for Residential Permits" still prices this work at "$0.006 x Value of Construction" and the 2012-era step sheets at "$6 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost (minimum fee is $30)", both of which predate the July 1, 2024 schedule. Confirm the current amount with the Permits Section at 678-518-6020 before budgeting. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in Gwinnett County?: You can apply through the Gwinnett County permit portal or contact the Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Building Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
Can a homeowner pull a roof replacement permit themselves in Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett County applies this before you apply.

From the Library

What else needs a permit in Gwinnett County

Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.

Planning and Development Fee Schedule, "Building Permit Fees (Effective July 1, 2024)", footer "Revised 05/23/2024", for every permit type below. The fee column shows what differs by project.

Project	Permit needed?	Threshold	Typical fee
Deck Permit	Permit required	Any size	"Other Building Permit Fees: Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than $75,000) \|...
Electrical Permit	It depends	Before erecting, installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting or...	...lists a combined "Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing" application type at "$0.006 x...
Fence Permit	It depends	height of a fence; masonry and concrete fence walls follow a separate 4 foot limit	See schedule
HVAC Permit	It depends	Before installing, altering, repairing, removing, converting or replacing a fixed...	...a combined "Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing" application type priced at "$0.006 x...
Plumbing Permit	It depends	Before installing, altering, repairing, removing, converting or replacing a plumbing...	...lists a combined "Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing" application type at "$0.006 x...
Pool Permit	It depends	prefabricated pools installed entirely above ground that also hold no more than 5,000 gallons	..."Regulatory Requirements for Residential Permits" still prices this work at "$0.006...
Shed Permit	It depends	floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure that contains no electrical or plumbing system	..."Regulatory Requirements for Residential Permits" still prices this work at "$0.006...
Solar Permit	Permit required	Any size	...Permit Fees table, where "Minor Renovation Projects (valued less than $75,000) \|...

Roof Replacement Permit in other Georgia localities

Everything above, sourced

gwinnettcounty.com: building servicesread 16 Aug 2026

gwinnettcounty.com: BNS 01 gwinnett county construction coderead 16 Aug 2026

Code references

National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Gwinnett County documents; the office above sets the local rules.

How this roof replacement permit page for Gwinnett County was verified. 2 official sources: gwinnettcounty.com, gwinnettcounty.com; fee schedule: official document. Last checked 16 Aug 2026 by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development, Building Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.

Last checked: 16 Aug 2026Report an error on this page

Compare Roof Replacement Permit requirements across Georgia localities

Roof replacement permit rules nationwide

Look up an existing Gwinnett County permit record