Atlanta Kitchen Remodel Permit

What's Required in Atlanta

• Building permit required for structural changes, layout modifications, or wall removal
• Plumbing permit required for moving sinks, gas lines, or adding dishwashers
• Electrical permit required for new circuits, appliance outlets, or lighting
• New 2026 electrical code requires GFCI protection for dishwashers and sump pumps
• Mechanical permit required for range hood venting or exhaust systems
• Repairs under $10,000 without system changes may be exempt from building permits

Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Kitchen in Atlanta?

It depends on what you're changing, not on the word “remodel.” Atlanta lists kitchen remodels as permit-required work, and in practice the permit attaches to the plumbing, electrical, and structural scope — not to cosmetic swaps. Permit fees typically run $400–$1,200 (project-based), issued by the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning, Office of Buildings. A remodel that moves the sink, adds circuits, relocates the range, or opens a wall is firmly in permit territory — and often means separate trade permits rather than one ticket.

Kitchen Work That Usually Doesn't Need a Permit

The cosmetic layer is generally yours to change freely: swapping cabinets in the same footprint, new countertops, flooring, backsplash, paint, and replacing appliances that use existing hookups. The moment the project touches what's behind the finishes — supply lines, drains, gas, new circuits, walls, or venting — it stops being cosmetic in the city's eyes. If your remodel straddles the line, describe the full scope to the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning, Office of Buildings up front; retrofitting a permit onto half-finished work is the expensive path.

How to Get a Kitchen Remodel Permit in Atlanta

Frequently Asked Questions