Local building department guide · Updated 2026-07-30

Cobb County Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

Use this guide to find the official Cobb County Community Development Agency, start a permit application, search permit records, schedule an inspection, and locate the correct zoning or plan review contact.

Start here

Quick actions

Official links open in a new tab

Apply for a building permit

Review the typical application path and prepare your project details.

See permit steps

↗

Track or search permits

Find Cobb County permit search resources and application status links.

Search permits

↗

Schedule a building inspection

Learn what to have ready before requesting your next inspection.

Schedule inspection

↗

Accela portal login

Open the department's official online services and permit portal.

Open portal

Cobb County’s Community Development Agency combines building and development, inspections, planning, zoning, erosion control, and code-enforcement services. The county’s online inspections page specifically identifies the permitting jurisdiction as the unincorporated areas of Cobb County. Marietta, Smyrna, Mableton, and other incorporated communities may administer their own permits, so verify the municipal boundary first.

Cobb County building permits and plan review

The agency’s building and development services cover residential and commercial construction, additions, remodeling, trade work, and related development approvals. Cobb County’s official code requires a permit before covered building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or gas construction begins. Zoning and planning review is handled through the Community Development Agency and its Unified Development Code resources.

Inspections, code compliance, and occupancy

The Cobb Citizen Access portal lets applicants search permit applications and schedule inspections. The county also supports inspection scheduling by text message. After signing in online, applicants must open the building-permit record, choose Inspections, and then select Schedule or Request an Inspection. Final inspections and any required fire, zoning, or other approvals should be complete before the county issues the applicable occupancy approval.

Official contact information

Community Development lists 1150 Powder Springs Street, Suite 400, Marietta, Georgia 30064, with office hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a department phone of (770) 528-2125. Use the Cobb Citizen Access portal for permit searches and inspection requests, and contact the city when the property lies inside municipal limits.

Permit process

How to Apply for a Cobb County Building Permit

Confirm the project scope

Identify the work, property address, project valuation, and whether plans are required.

Prepare your documents

Gather plans, owner and contractor details, site information, and any zoning approvals.

Submit and monitor

Submit through the department’s stated process, pay fees, and watch for review comments.

Field work & closeout

Building Inspections & Code Compliance in Cobb County

Most permitted work must remain accessible for inspection at defined stages. Before scheduling, check your permit record for the required inspection sequence and make sure the site is safe and ready. Final inspections can be especially important for code compliance and a certificate of occupancy.

Helpful preparation

Keep the permit card or approval number available, confirm the property address, and ask the official office about lead times or reinspection fees.

Planning & review

Zoning and Plan Review Requirements

A building permit is not always the only approval your project needs. Zoning guidelines may affect use, setbacks, height, parking, signage, or lot coverage. Residential and commercial building permits can also follow different plan review tracks, so confirm the correct path before investing in a full plan set.

For a project in Cobb County, start with the official department below and ask which zoning, planning, conservation, or fire review approvals apply to your address.

Keep this handy

Official Contact Information

Department	Cobb County Community Development Agency
Phone	(770) 528-2125
Address	1150 Powder Springs Street, Suite 400, Marietta, GA 30064
Official website	https://www.cobbcounty.gov/community-development
Last verified	2026-07-30

Official source pages used for this guide

These links were checked on 2026-07-30. Requirements, fees, office hours, and portal addresses can change; use the official source as the final authority.