Thinking about opening up your kitchen or adding a new porch in Rockdale County? Where your home sits can change your permit path and timeline. Homes inside the City of Conyers follow one set of rules, while properties in unincorporated Rockdale County follow another. If you know the differences, you can set a realistic schedule, avoid rework, and keep your project on budget.
In this guide, you’ll see how permitting works in Conyers vs. unincorporated Rockdale, what each office typically requires, and how long reviews and inspections usually take. You’ll also get a simple checklist to prepare your submittal and plan your calendar. Let’s dive in.
City vs. county: who runs your permit
Inside Conyers city limits, permits, plan review, zoning, and inspections are handled by the City of Conyers Planning and Inspections team. Staff enforce the city zoning ordinance, municipal code, and the building codes the city has adopted.
For homes in unincorporated Rockdale County, permits and inspections go through Rockdale County Planning and Development and the county’s inspections division. Staff enforce the county zoning ordinance, county code, and the state minimum building codes adopted by county resolution.
Conyers often applies more parcel-specific zoning and overlays, including potential downtown historic or corridor standards. That can add planning or historic review on top of building permits. In unincorporated areas, you may see fewer overlays, though setbacks, lot coverage, impervious surface, and stormwater rules still apply.
Both jurisdictions may coordinate your project with other agencies depending on scope. Septic work goes through Rockdale County Environmental Health. Water and sewer connections tie in with the city or county utilities. Projects touching state routes involve the Georgia Department of Transportation. If your property is in a flood zone, watershed, or conservation area, you may have extra steps.
Permits you’ll likely need
Most remodels use similar permit categories in Conyers and in unincorporated Rockdale. Common permits include:
- Building permits for structural changes, additions, or significant exterior work
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical or HVAC permits for regulated trade work
- Roofing permits
- Deck and porch permits
- Accessory structure permits for garages or sheds, subject to size thresholds
- Pool and spa permits
- Driveway, curb cut, or sidewalk work permits, sometimes with a right-of-way or encroachment approval
- Demolition permits
- Foundation or footing permits
- Fire suppression or alarm permits in specific cases
Tip: Simple cosmetic updates often do not require a permit. Once you change structure, systems, or exterior elements, expect to pull permits.
Conyers vs. unincorporated: key differences
Below is a quick comparison of what often varies. Always confirm the current process with the city or county before you submit.
| Topic | Inside City of Conyers | Unincorporated Rockdale County |
|---|---|---|
| Permit intake | City Planning and Inspections handles intake. Some projects may be accepted at a counter or through an online tool. | Planning and Development handles intake. The county may use a different portal or require paper sets. |
| Plan review thresholds | Smaller repairs may be eligible for faster processing depending on scope. More overlays and design standards can add planning review. | Similar thresholds for minor trade permits, but triggers for engineering or zoning checks may differ. |
| Engineered drawings | Stamped plans may be required for structural changes. Thresholds can differ from the county. | Engineered plans are often required above certain square footage or for structural alterations. |
| Historic or design review | More likely inside downtown or overlay districts. Expect added submittals and a separate review timeline. | Historic or design review is less common, but zoning, setbacks, and stormwater still apply. |
| Utility coordination | Water and sewer typically coordinated with city utilities. | Water and sewer approvals may run through county utilities or private providers in certain areas. |
What to prepare before you apply
A complete submittal is your best way to avoid delays. Most projects in either jurisdiction will ask for:
- Completed permit application on the jurisdiction’s form
- Proof of ownership or authorization, such as a deed or owner letter
- A site plan showing property lines, setbacks, existing structures, proposed work, and distances to lot lines
- Construction drawings, floor plans, and elevations; stamped drawings for structural changes or large additions
- Structural calculations and engineered plans for load-bearing changes when required
- Energy code compliance documentation, such as REScheck for envelope changes or additions
- HVAC sizing and load calculations when systems are added or replaced
- Contractor information, license number where required, and proof of insurance
- Septic approval from Environmental Health if the property is on septic
- Erosion, sediment control, or stormwater documents if you add impervious area
- Historic district materials, photos, and elevations if the home is within a designated historic area
Before you print or upload, ask the office whether they need paper sets, stamped prints, electronic PDFs, and how many copies.
Step-by-step process
1) Get early feedback
If your remodel is sizable or your lot is nonconforming, request a pre-application check with the city or county. Early zoning input and a quick plan review can save weeks later.
2) Submit and pay fees
Deliver your application and documents to the right office. City submittals go to Conyers Planning and Inspections. County submittals go to Rockdale County Planning and Development. Pay the applicable fees at intake.
3) Intake completeness check
Staff run a completeness review. If anything is missing, you’ll receive a request for more info. Completeness checks can be same day on smaller items or take a few days depending on workload.
4) Plan review loop
Your plans move through building, zoning, and trade reviews. You may see comments from building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and planning staff. If changes are needed, you’ll receive written corrections.
5) Resubmit and approve
Address corrections and resubmit. Each resubmission typically starts a new review window, so plan for at least one correction round on most remodels. When approved, you’ll receive permit issuance instructions and any final fee details.
6) Build under permit
Once your permits are issued, you can start construction. Coordinate with your contractor to follow the inspection sequence required by the jurisdiction.
7) Schedule inspections
Request inspections at footing or foundation, roughs, framing, insulation, and final stages. Some projects have specialized inspections for fire sprinklers, elevators, or pools.
8) Final sign-off
After all inspections pass and any final documents are submitted, the jurisdiction will close out your permit and issue a final approval or certificate of occupancy if required.
How long it usually takes
Timelines vary by staffing, season, and your submittal quality. Use these general ranges to plan, then confirm with the city or county when you submit.
- Small repairs or single-trade permits, like a water heater or minor electrical: same day to 3 to 10 business days for review. Inspections can often be set within 1 to 3 business days.
- Standard kitchen or bath remodels with multiple trades: plan for 1 to 3 weeks for plan review, depending on backlog and whether your submittal is complete.
- Additions or structural projects: 2 to 6 or more weeks for plan review and approval. Historic or zoning approvals can extend the timeline.
- Projects with septic or health approvals: add several days to multiple weeks for site evaluations and scheduling.
- Corrections and resubmittals: expect each round to start a new review window.
Build in buffers. Add 2 to 4 weeks of administrative time to a standard remodel schedule. For additions or projects needing variances or historic review, add 4 to 8 or more weeks.
Inspections: scheduling and passing
- How to schedule: Most offices accept requests by phone or through an online scheduling system using your permit number and job address.
- Lead time: Plan for 24 to 48 hours of notice. Next business day is sometimes possible, but not guaranteed.
- Typical sequence: footing or soil, foundation, slab if applicable, framing and rough trades, insulation and air barrier, and final inspections. Special systems have their own inspections.
- If you fail: Inspectors issue a correction notice. Re-inspection fees or a re-queue may apply.
Coordinate with your contractor on inspection timing. Never cover up work that has not passed the required inspection.
Historic, septic, and other special cases
- Historic districts: Inside Conyers, downtown or overlay areas may require separate historic or architectural review. Expect extra submittal materials and additional review time.
- Floodplain or watershed rules: Properties in flood zones or conservation areas may trigger elevation or stormwater requirements.
- Tree removal: Some jurisdictions require permits for removing large trees. Ask before you cut.
- Right-of-way work: Driveways, curb cuts, or sidewalk changes may need a right-of-way or encroachment permit. Work on state routes involves GDOT.
- Utility tap or impact fees: Inside city limits, water and sewer connections may involve city utility approvals and fees. County service areas follow county utility procedures.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Assuming “it’s just cosmetic.” Structural changes, roof replacements, decks, fencing above certain heights, and accessory buildings usually require permits.
- Ignoring setbacks and lot coverage. Zoning rules on setbacks, impervious surface, and easements can stop an addition if missed.
- Skipping historic review. If your home sits in a Conyers historic overlay, design approvals can add weeks. Plan for it early.
- Submitting incomplete plans. Missing site plans, dimensions, contractor credentials, or energy forms lead to correction cycles and delays.
- Overlooking septic impacts. Changes to plumbing fixtures or fixture locations on a septic system can trigger Environmental Health review.
- Hiring the wrong help. An unlicensed or nonlocal contractor can cause failed inspections and delays.
Plan your timeline with confidence
Start by locating your property in or out of the city limits, then confirm zoning and any overlays. Decide if your scope is cosmetic or if it includes structure or regulated trades. Build a clean submittal package and ask how the city or county wants to receive it. Finally, set a realistic calendar with a review buffer and schedule your contractor accordingly.
Quick homeowner checklist
- Confirm if your address is inside Conyers or in unincorporated Rockdale.
- Look up your zoning district and any overlay or historic status.
- Identify your scope: cosmetic vs. structural or trade work.
- Gather documents: deed, site plan, construction drawings, contractor license and insurance, energy compliance, and septic approvals if needed.
- Ask whether to submit paper sets or PDFs and how many copies.
- Plan for at least one review correction round and build a buffer into your schedule.
- Coordinate inspection sequencing with your contractor before work begins.
Who to contact
- City of Conyers Planning and Inspections for properties inside city limits
- Rockdale County Planning and Development and Building Inspections for unincorporated areas
- Rockdale County Environmental Health for septic questions
- Georgia Department of Community Affairs for state building and energy code guidance
- Georgia State Licensing Board for contractor licensing
- Georgia Department of Transportation for work affecting state routes
If you are remodeling with an eye toward selling, a clear pricing strategy and timeline can protect your return on investment. Our team can help you assess which updates pay off in today’s market and how to time your sale for maximum exposure.
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FAQs
Do I need a permit for a cosmetic remodel in Rockdale County?
- Many cosmetic updates do not require a permit, but structural changes and any electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, decks, or accessory structures typically do.
How do I check if my property is inside Conyers city limits?
- Use a tax parcel or county GIS lookup and confirm with the permitting office so you know whether to apply with the city or the county.
How long do permits take for a standard kitchen or bath remodel?
- Plan for 1 to 3 weeks of plan review in either jurisdiction, plus time for any correction rounds and inspections.
What happens if my Conyers home is in a historic district?
- Expect a separate historic or design review, extra submittal materials, and an added review timeline before your building permit is issued.
How are inspections scheduled for permitted work?
- Most offices accept phone or online scheduling with your permit number, and they typically require 24 to 48 hours of notice for the next available slot.
