Atlanta Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Guide to creating site plans for building permits in Atlanta, including the zoning ordinance, tree conservation, and BeltLine overlay requirements.

Atlanta Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Atlanta, Georgia requires meeting specific requirements set by the Office of Buildings (OOB) within the Department of City Planning. Atlanta's development is governed by the City of Atlanta Zoning Ordinance (Part 16), with special considerations for the BeltLine Overlay District, extensive tree protection, and numerous historic districts.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Atlanta Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. OOB requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with Part 16 (Zoning) of the Atlanta City Code and the Georgia State Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through the city's GIS portal at gis.atlantaga.gov.

Required Site Plan Elements for OOB

  • Property boundaries with accurate dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks from all property lines per Part 16
  • Existing structures with square footage, height, and use
  • Proposed construction clearly distinguished from existing
  • Lot coverage and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) calculations
  • Parking spaces per Part 16 (if applicable)
  • Tree survey showing all trees 6 inches+ DBH per the Tree Protection Ordinance
  • Tree protection zones for retained trees
  • Stormwater management features
  • North arrow and scale
  • Fulton County/DeKalb County parcel ID

Atlanta Zoning and Setback Requirements

  • R-4 (Single-Family, 9,000 sq ft lot): Front 35 feet, side 7 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 45%. FAR max 0.50.
  • R-4A (Single-Family, 7,500 sq ft lot): Front 30 feet, side 7 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 50%. FAR max 0.50.
  • R-5 (Two-Family): Front 30 feet, side 7 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 50%.
  • R-LC (Residential-Limited Commercial): Front 30 feet, side 7 feet, rear 15 feet.
  • RG-2 through RG-4 (Multi-Family): Front 40 feet, side 15 feet, rear 20 feet.
  • Corner lots: Both street frontages require front setback distances.

Tree Protection Ordinance

Atlanta's Tree Protection Ordinance is among the most comprehensive in the Southeast:

  • All trees 6 inches+ DBH on development sites must be surveyed and shown on the site plan
  • Tree conservation: Development must preserve a minimum percentage of existing trees or provide mitigation
  • Specimen trees: Trees 24 inches+ DBH receive the highest protection; removal requires a variance from the Arborist Division
  • Mitigation: Removed trees must be replaced at a caliper-inch-for-caliper-inch ratio or payment into the Tree Trust Fund
  • Tree protection barriers: Required during construction at the Critical Root Zone of preserved trees
  • Arborist certification: A certified arborist report is required for development sites

BeltLine Overlay District

Properties within the Atlanta BeltLine Overlay District have additional requirements:

  • Enhanced design standards: Building form, frontage, and architectural requirements specific to the BeltLine corridor
  • Reduced parking: Significant parking reductions for properties near BeltLine trail access
  • Multi-use trail setback: Buildings must provide adequate setback from the BeltLine trail
  • Active ground-floor uses: Required along BeltLine frontage in commercial and mixed-use zones
  • BeltLine TAD: Tax Allocation District provides financing for infrastructure improvements

Historic Preservation Requirements

Atlanta has extensive historic preservation overseen by the Urban Design Commission (UDC) and Atlanta Preservation Center:

  • Landmark districts: Including Inman Park, Grant Park, Druid Hills, Ansley Park, and Virginia-Highland requiring UDC Certificate of Appropriateness
  • National Register districts: Additional protections and tax credit eligibility
  • Georgia historic tax credits: 25% state credit for certified rehabilitation of historic properties
  • UDC review adds 30-60 days

Stormwater Management Requirements

  • Post-development stormwater management plan: Required for projects disturbing 1 acre or creating significant impervious surface
  • Georgia EPD compliance: Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan required per the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act
  • Green infrastructure: Encouraged through incentives and reduced stormwater utility fees
  • Stormwater utility fee: Monthly fee based on impervious surface with credits for green infrastructure

How to Submit Your Site Plan

Accela Portal

Submit through Atlanta's Accela Citizen Access portal at atlantaga.gov/permits for electronic plan review.

In-Person

Walk-in at 55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 3900.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Plan review and permit fees: Per OOB fee schedule based on construction cost
  • No traditional impact fees
  • Timeline: Residential 10-20 business days. Commercial 20-45 business days. UDC review adds 30-60 days. Tree permits processed concurrently.

Creating Your Atlanta Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Atlanta property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for OOB submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Atlanta?
In R-4 zones, front setbacks are 35 feet, side setbacks 7 feet, and rear setbacks 15 feet with 45% lot coverage and 0.50 FAR maximum. R-4A zones have 30-foot front setbacks and 50% coverage. Corner lots require front setbacks on both street frontages. Always verify through Atlanta's GIS portal at gis.atlantaga.gov.
What tree protection is required on my site plan?
Atlanta's Tree Protection Ordinance requires surveying all trees 6 inches+ DBH. Specimen trees (24 inches+ DBH) have the highest protection and require a variance for removal. Trees must be replaced at caliper-inch ratios or through Tree Trust Fund payment. A certified arborist report is required. Tree protection barriers must be shown at the Critical Root Zone.
What is the BeltLine Overlay District?
Properties in the BeltLine Overlay have enhanced design standards, reduced parking, trail setback requirements, and active ground-floor use mandates. The overlay encourages higher density and mixed-use development along the BeltLine corridor. The BeltLine TAD provides financing for infrastructure. Check the city's GIS to see if your property is in the overlay.
What historic district requirements apply?
Atlanta has landmark districts (Inman Park, Grant Park, Druid Hills, Ansley Park, Virginia-Highland) requiring Urban Design Commission Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior work. Georgia offers 25% state historic tax credits for certified rehabilitation. UDC review adds 30-60 days.
What stormwater management is required?
Projects disturbing 1 acre or more need a post-development stormwater plan and Georgia EPD Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan. Green infrastructure is encouraged with reduced stormwater utility fees. Monthly fees are based on impervious surface area.
How do I submit plans to Atlanta OOB?
Submit through Accela Citizen Access at atlantaga.gov/permits for electronic plan review. Walk-in at 55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 3900. Residential permits take 10-20 business days.
What parking is required?
Standard residential zones require 1-2 parking spaces per dwelling unit. The BeltLine Overlay and transit-oriented areas have significantly reduced parking requirements. Some downtown commercial zones have parking maximums to limit surface parking. Check Part 16 for your specific zone's requirements.
How long does the Atlanta permit process take?
Residential plan review takes 10-20 business days. Commercial takes 20-45 business days. UDC historic review adds 30-60 days. Tree permits are processed concurrently. BeltLine Overlay projects may have additional design review.

How to Create a Site Plan in Atlanta

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use Atlanta's GIS portal at gis.atlantaga.gov to find your zoning, BeltLine Overlay status, historic district status, and lot dimensions. Note your Fulton or DeKalb County parcel ID.
  2. Determine Constraints: Check BeltLine Overlay requirements, historic district status (UDC review), tree survey requirements, and stormwater thresholds. These significantly affect site design.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Atlanta address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per Part 16.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Ensure your site plan includes property boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, FAR, tree survey with all trees 6 inches+ DBH, tree protection zones, parking, stormwater features, and north arrow with scale.
  5. Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare certified arborist tree survey. For historic districts, prepare UDC application. Prepare Georgia EPD Erosion Control Plan and stormwater management plans.
  6. Submit Through Accela Portal: Upload plans through Accela at atlantaga.gov/permits. Pay fees and track status. Submit UDC applications concurrently if in a historic district.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to OOB comments. Attend UDC meetings if required. Once approved, pay fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections.