Woodstock building permits are filed online with the city's Building & Safety Division, 770-592-6054. Zoning cases go to the Planning Commission, then the council.
Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Woodstock’s Building & Safety Division, Planning & Zoning and Active Projects pages.
Building permits, zoning and land development inside Woodstock city limits are handled by the city’s Community Development Department, not Cherokee County. If you live outside the city with a Woodstock mailing address, the county’s Development Service Center handles your permits instead (770-721-7810).
Who to call
- Building permits and inspections: 770-592-6054, WoodstockBuilding@woodstockga.gov. Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the service counter closes at 4 p.m.
- Planning and zoning: planning@woodstockga.gov
- Code enforcement complaints: the city’s Citizen Request for Action portal
- Apply online: building permit portal and inspection requests
What needs a permit
The city says these jobs need a building permit with plan review: new construction, alterations, additions, retaining walls, tents, demolition, blasting, swimming pools and some accessory structures. Plans are reviewed in the order received, and the contractor is told the fee when review is done.
Trade permits for electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas work are issued the same day you apply, if the paperwork is complete. The fee comes from the unit count schedule on the back of the application and is paid when the permit is issued.
Sign permits:
- Temporary signs and 15-day banners: free, issued the same day with the property owner’s approval. Temporary signs can be up to 32 square feet; banners up to 24 square feet.
- Permanent signs: $50 plus $1 a square foot of sign area, paid before the permit is issued, with an inspection after installation.
- Election signs are allowed on private property with the owner’s permission, for as long as the owner likes, but not in the public right of way. Code Enforcement removes those and takes them to the City Hall Annex for candidates to collect.
The codes in force
Every permit issued after Jan. 1, 2026, is reviewed and inspected under these editions, as adopted by the state:
| Code | Edition |
|---|---|
| International Residential Code | 2024, with Georgia amendments |
| International Building Code | 2024, with Georgia amendments |
| Plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas codes | 2024, with Georgia amendments |
| International Fire Code | 2024, as adopted by the Safety Fire Commissioner |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code | 2024, with Georgia amendments |
| National Electrical Code | 2023, with 2026 Georgia amendments |
| International Energy Code | 2015, with Georgia amendments |
Commercial plan review fees
Commercial projects pay a plan review fee up front, based on construction value, and must submit one paper and one digital set of plans:
| Construction value | Review fee |
|---|---|
| $5,000 or less | $25 |
| $5,000.01 to $50,000 | $100 |
| $50,000.01 to $150,000 | $200 |
| More than $150,000 | $300 |
Site work and land development
Any work that disturbs more than one-tenth of an acre needs a land development permit from the city’s Development Review team, and an approved, stamped site plan comes first. One permit can cover erosion control, clearing and grubbing, stormwater, water and sewer lines, roads and sidewalks, and trails. Site plans and plats can be filed online through the same BS&A portal.
Zoning cases and hearings
Rezonings, conditional use permits and variances follow the city’s public hearing process. The planning division takes four new cases per application cycle, requires a pre-application meeting at least a week before the deadline, and requires every applicant to hold a public input meeting. Each case goes to the Development Review Committee, then the Planning Commission, which recommends, then the City Council, which decides.
Hearings are at 7 p.m. in the Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St., unless the notice says otherwise. Anyone may speak, and comments emailed to planning staff go into the case file. Cases on the city’s list now include:
| Case | What is asked | Hearing |
|---|---|---|
| Z#172-26, 7950 and 8020 Main St. | Rezoning and conditional use for a townhome community, with variances | City Council, Monday, Oct. 26 |
| V#223-26, Highway 92 at Creekview Drive | Variance to allow 65 parking spaces for a medical office building | Planning Commission, Thursday, Nov. 5 |
The Planning Commission has seven seats, one appointed by the mayor and one for each of the six wards (Ward 1 is vacant); Brandon Williams (Ward 3) chairs it, according to the commission page. The city’s Development Projects map lets you search active cases and every ordinance approved since 2000 by address or parcel.
Check before you build
- Confirm you are inside city limits with the city’s ward and city limits map.
- Ask for a zoning clearance before you sign a lease for a business.
- Check your homeowners’ association rules too; they are separate from city rules.
What this means for you
- Inside the city, permits come from Woodstock, 770-592-6054; outside it, from Cherokee County.
- Trade permits can be same-day; anything with plans waits its turn in review.
- Zoning changes take at least two public hearings, and you can speak at both.
Related: property taxes, new businesses in Woodstock and who to call at City Hall.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get a building permit in Woodstock, Georgia?
From the City of Woodstock’s Building & Safety Division, part of Community Development. Apply online through the city’s BS&A portal or call 770-592-6054; the counter is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What building code does Woodstock use?
Since Jan. 1, 2026, permits are reviewed under the 2024 International Residential and Building codes with Georgia amendments, the 2023 National Electrical Code and the 2015 International Energy Code.
When does the Woodstock Planning Commission meet?
Its hearings in 2026 have been on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St. The next listed hearing is Thursday, Nov. 5.
Do I need a permit for a sign in Woodstock?
Yes. Temporary signs and 15-day banners are permitted free the same day; permanent signs cost $50 plus $1 a square foot and need an inspection after installation.
How do I find out how a property in Woodstock is zoned?
Use the city’s Zoning Clearance Request, email the planning staff at planning@woodstockga.gov, or search the city’s Development Projects map.
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