Dunwoody building permits are filed in the city's CentralSquare portal with a contractor account, even for homeowners. Review takes up to 10 business days.
Last checked Oct. 5, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Dunwoody’s Permits and Inspections and Planning and Zoning pages.
Building permits, inspections, zoning and code enforcement in Dunwoody are handled by the city’s Community Development Department at City Hall, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road. City Hall is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Since Aug. 4, 2025, permit applications and code complaints go through the city’s online CentralSquare portal, which replaced the old iWorQ system.
Who to call
- Permits: permits@dunwoodyga.gov, 678-382-6821
- Community Development main line: 678-382-6800, press 0
- Building official: 678-382-6803
- Planning and zoning manager: 678-382-6811; senior planner, 678-382-6757
- City arborist: 678-382-6805
- Code enforcement: 678-382-6807
- Official pages: Permits and Inspections and Zoning-Related Applications
Using the CentralSquare permit system
Dunwoody’s Community Development Department moved to the CentralSquare permit portal on Aug. 4, 2025, replacing iWorQ. The portal runs on CentralSquare’s eTRAKiT software. Applications or code complaints opened in iWorQ were not moved over automatically; the city asks anyone with one to contact staff at 678-382-6821.
Everyone needs a contractor account, homeowners included. The portal says “any aspects related to permitting require the creation of a Contractor Account, even if the work is completed by a homeowner.” The city’s account setup instructions walk through it:
- Open the portal and choose Create Contractor Account, then agree to the terms.
- Enter your company name, or your own name if you have no company. That name becomes your user name, so spell it carefully.
- Pick an account type, add your email, set a password and choose a security question.
- Upload your documents and click Upload before moving on: - Contractors: business license, state license and photo ID - Homeowners: the Homeowner Declaration Form and photo ID
- Add contact details, confirm, and the account is live.
Logging in: on the portal home page, click Public, switch it to Contractor, pick your company name from the drop-down list and enter your password.
What the account does: apply for new permits, check status, pay fees, schedule inspections, upload documents and download permit cards, stamped plans and certificates of occupancy. Staff can link your account to a permit that someone else filed. The portal also has a public permit search that needs no login.
Common problems: the city says not to use the browser’s back, forward or refresh buttons while filling in an application, because that creates errors. Follow the city’s permit submittal steps in order.
Subcontractors and trade licenses
Plumbing, HVAC, electrical, low-voltage, fire alarm and fire sprinkler subcontractors do not file their own permit in CentralSquare. Once the general permit is issued, they email the Sub-Contractor Form to permits@dunwoodyga.gov with their state license where one applies, business license and photo ID. The city then links them to the main permit, where they can schedule their own inspections. Fire alarm and sprinkler plans also go through fire safety review, which the city says typically takes up to 10 business days, according to its subcontractor page.
When you need a permit
The city requires a permit to build a new structure, replace an existing one or add on to a single-family home, according to its single-family residential page. That includes new or replaced decks, storage sheds and swimming pools.
- Driveways: replacing a driveway in kind needs no permit; extending one may. Erosion control is always required.
- Fences: a permit is required for a new fence, a vehicle gate, or a replacement fence in the front yard, on a corner lot or in a stream buffer. A fence entirely behind the house needs no permit but must still meet the zoning ordinance, according to the city’s fence permit page. A fence in a floodplain needs a variance first. The owner affidavit on the application must be notarized.
- Trees: on a single-family lot, no permit is needed to remove a tree outside the 75-foot stream buffer. Inside the buffer, removal needs a permit and a certified arborist’s report. Dunwoody has a minimum tree density rule, so homeowners who keep too few trees may have to plant new ones, according to the city’s tree regulations page.
- Stream buffers: the city requires a 75-foot undisturbed buffer around streams. The city says unpermitted work there can bring penalties of up to $1,000 a violation.
- Remodels: work that needs a permit, or adds a bedroom, also triggers the city’s rule for interconnected, hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup.
How a permit works
- Apply online through CentralSquare and upload drawings as one PDF of up to 50 MB, with a site plan for any new structure. Homeowners doing their own work upload a homeowner declaration; contractors new to Dunwoody upload their license, business license and photo ID.
- The city’s plan review can take up to 10 business days. A new home may also need DeKalb County review for water, sewer, health or life safety; the city provides a routing sheet.
- The city emails or calls when review is done. Pay by Visa or Mastercard online, or by check or cash at City Hall. The city then issues the permit and approved plans.
- Schedule inspections using the city’s inspection instructions.
Subcontractors are added to the main permit; they do not pull their own. Fees are set in the city’s permit fee schedule.
Zoning: maps, rezonings and variances
Check a property’s zoning on the city’s SmartMap, which shows parcels, zoning, City Council districts and the official city limits. The rules are in Chapter 27, the Zoning Ordinance, and Chapter 16, the Land Development Ordinance.
| Request | Who decides | Public notice cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rezoning, text amendment, special land use permit | Planning Commission reviews; City Council decides | $580 |
| Variance or special exception | Zoning Board of Appeals | $450 |
| Special administrative permit (minor relief, such as a 10% smaller rear setback) | Community Development director | None listed |
The city asks applicants for a rezoning or special land use permit to file a pre-application review and meet with staff first. Other applications include backyard chickens (coops in the rear yard only), temporary use permits and zoning certification letters for lenders. Appeals of a Zoning Board of Appeals decision go to DeKalb County Superior Court.
When the boards meet
Both boards meet at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall when they have applications to hear, and both post meeting video on YouTube.
| Board | Regular day | Last met |
|---|---|---|
| Planning Commission (seven members) | Second Tuesday | Tuesday, Sept. 8 |
| Zoning Board of Appeals (seven members) | First Thursday | Thursday, Oct. 1 |
When we checked on Oct. 5, the city’s agenda portal listed no Planning Commission meeting for October; the City Council meets in the chambers at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. Agendas and packets for every board are posted there ahead of each meeting, and the city’s agendas and minutes page links to past meetings.
Watch for fake invoices
The city warns of scam emails sent to people with zoning cases, variance requests and administrative permits. Scammers pose as staff, send fake invoices and ask for payment by wire transfer. The city says it never uses wire transfers for these matters, the Planning Commission does not write to applicants directly, and addresses ending in “usa.com” are not city email. Questions: 678-382-6757.
What this means for you
- Decks, sheds, pools and additions all need a permit; a backyard fence usually does not.
- Allow two weeks for the city’s review, longer for a new home.
- Any work near a creek: call the city arborist or permit desk first.
Related: who to call at City Hall, DeKalb County property taxes and Dunwoody home prices.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a building permit in Dunwoody?
Create an account and apply online through the city’s CentralSquare portal, which replaced iWorQ on Aug. 4, 2025. Questions go to permits@dunwoodyga.gov or 678-382-6821.
Do homeowners need a CentralSquare account to get a Dunwoody permit?
Yes. The city says every permit needs a contractor account in its CentralSquare portal, even when the homeowner does the work. Homeowners upload the Homeowner Declaration Form and a photo ID instead of a business and state license.
What licenses do contractors need for a Dunwoody building permit?
Contractors upload their business license, state license and photo ID when they create a CentralSquare account. Subcontractors email the Sub-Contractor Form with their state license, business license and photo ID to permits@dunwoodyga.gov.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Dunwoody?
You need one for a new or replacement fence in the front yard, on a corner lot or in a stream buffer. A fence entirely behind the house needs no permit but must still meet the zoning ordinance.
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in Dunwoody?
Not on a single-family lot outside the 75-foot stream buffer. Trees inside the buffer need a tree removal permit and a certified arborist’s report.
When does the Dunwoody Planning Commission meet?
It takes up applications on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, when it has cases. Agendas are posted on the city’s agenda portal.
How long does a Dunwoody building permit take?
The city says its review of a single-family project can take up to 10 business days. New homes may also need DeKalb County review for water, sewer, health or life safety.
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