Fulton County is unique in Georgia because most of the county's population lives within the City of Atlanta, which has its own building department and its own rules. The county's permit authority only applies to unincorporated Fulton County — areas not inside any incorporated city.
Unincorporated Fulton County is mostly in the southern portion of the county. If your address includes a city name — Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek — contact that city's building department. The county's permitting office at 5600 Stonewall Tell Road handles unincorporated areas only.
For sheds: the 120 sq ft threshold applies to unincorporated Fulton. The City of Atlanta's threshold is also 120 sq ft, but the application process is different. Fees in Fulton typically run $100–$300 depending on project value. Review takes 7–10 business days for simple accessory structures.
Quick Reference: What Requires a Permit
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. If you live inside the City of Atlanta, you apply through the City's Office of Buildings, not Fulton County. The City of Atlanta's threshold for shed permits is also 120 sq ft, but the portal, fees, and process are completely separate. Atlanta also has additional requirements for properties in historic districts.
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Sheds over 120 square feet require a building permit in unincorporated Fulton County. A standard 10×12 shed (120 sq ft) is right at the threshold — technically it does not require a permit, but anything larger does. Setbacks (typically 5 ft from rear and side property lines) apply regardless of permit status.