Georgia Commercial Construction Permit Cost Estimator
Estimate commercial building permit fees in Georgia based on construction valuation, occupancy classification, and local jurisdiction multipliers. Results are estimates only — contact your local building department for exact fees.
Formula
Total Permit Cost =
[ (Adjusted Base Fee + Occupancy Surcharge) × Jurisdiction Multiplier × (1 + 0.01 State Surcharge) ]
+ Plan Review Fee + Fire Sprinkler Permit Fee + Certificate of Occupancy Fee
Base Permit Fee (sliding scale on construction valuation):
- ≤ $10,000 → $100 flat
- $10,001–$50,000 → $100 + $8.00 per $1,000 over $10,000
- $50,001–$100,000 → $420 + $6.00 per $1,000 over $50,000
- $100,001–$500,000 → $720 + $5.00 per $1,000 over $100,000
- $500,001–$1,000,000 → $2,720 + $4.00 per $1,000 over $500,000
- > $1,000,000 → $4,720 + $3.00 per $1,000 over $1,000,000
Plan Review Fee: Standard = 65% of base; Complex = 85%; Expedited = 130%
Occupancy Surcharge: H = +20%, I = +15%, A/E = +10% of base fee
Project Type: New/Addition = 100%; Alteration = 75%; Change of Occupancy = 50% + $250
Fire Sprinkler Permit: max($500, $0.15 × sq ft)
Certificate of Occupancy: $200–$400 depending on occupancy class
Assumptions & References
- Base fee sliding scale derived from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Model Building Code Fee Schedule, widely adopted under O.C.G.A. § 8-2-26.
- Georgia State surcharge of 1% per O.C.G.A. § 8-2-26(g) — collected by local governments and remitted to the state.
- Plan review fee percentages based on Atlanta Code of Ordinances § 8-2002 and Georgia DCA model ordinance guidance.
- Jurisdiction multipliers sourced from published 2023 fee schedules: City of Atlanta, Gwinnett County, Cobb County, DeKalb County, Chatham County, Augusta-Richmond County building departments.
- Fire sprinkler permit fee ($0.15/sq ft, min $500) based on Georgia State Fire Marshal guidelines and typical county fire marshal fee schedules.
- Occupancy classifications per 2018 International Building Code (IBC) as adopted by Georgia.
- Estimates do not include: impact fees, utility connection fees, zoning/variance fees, soil erosion permits, or mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) sub-permits.
- Actual fees vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
- Range of ±15% reflects typical variation in local fee interpretations and additional administrative charges.