City of East Point staff outline permit and plan-review process, timelines, common pitfalls

The City of East Point Permit Manager outlined what work requires a permit, how plan reviews are scheduled, and common causes of resubmittal denials during a public presentation on Oct. 26, 2025.

The presentation summarized which projects require permits and which require plan review, typical review time frames (new construction: two weeks; existing residential additions: five business days), document standards, contractor licensing requirements, resubmittal rules and steps to request plan-review meetings or concept reviews.

Permit scope and plan-review triggers

City staff said work that typically requires a permit includes new construction, additions, accessory structures above certain sizes, pools and spas, decks, docks, fences, garages (attached or detached), new roofs, driveway or walkway work and removal of multiple trees. The Permit Manager said new construction also requires an “infill packet,” a comparison of the proposed building to surrounding homes to show the project is compatible with the neighborhood.

“New construction always requires a permit. Additions always require a permit,” the Permit Manager said. The presentation identified siding, demolitions, decks and school projects as examples that usually trigger plan review.

Plan-review timing, payment and intake

Staff said plan-review timing depends on the project type: generally two weeks for new construction and commercial projects, and five business days (about seven calendar days) for most residential work. Review does not begin until the permit, plan-review and administrative fees are paid. Staff demonstrated that applicants receive an invoice email with a link to the BS&A payment portal and said reviews are routed only after payment is confirmed.

“If you don’t pay your fee, your review will not start,” the Permit Manager said.

Document standards and submissions

Staff emphasized that submissions must be legible, to scale and show a site plan with property lines, setbacks and the location of existing and proposed features.…