Step 2 — Building Permit
Required for any new construction, tenant finish-out, or change of occupancy before construction begins.
What Is a Building Permit?
A building permit authorizes construction, renovation, or change of occupancy at your restaurant location. In Atlanta, this is issued by the Office of Buildings within the Department of City Planning.
When You Need One
- New construction
- Tenant finish-out or interior renovation
- Change of occupancy (e.g., converting retail space to restaurant)
- Adding or relocating plumbing, electrical, or gas
How to Apply
- Create an account in Atlanta's e-Permitting portal at MyGovHub
- Submit architectural plans stamped by a Georgia-licensed architect or engineer
- Plans must include: floor plan, mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) drawings, hood/exhaust details, accessibility compliance
- Pay the permit fee (based on construction value)
Phone: (404) 330-6070 Address: 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 3750, Atlanta, GA 30303
Timeline
- Standard review: 4–8 weeks
- Express review: Available for an additional fee (2–3 weeks)
Common Reasons Permits Are Delayed
- Missing MEP drawings
- Hood system not detailed in plans
- Accessibility (ADA) non-compliance
- Grease interceptor not shown or undersized
What SpoonSeal tracks
The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.