A land disturbance permit is required if your project includes development activity that expands or replaces an existing use intended for human operation, occupancy, or habitation; or the construction of improvements such as grading, grubbing, tree removal, driveways, parking areas, water mains, stormwater drainage facilities, or subdivision of property.

Most land development projects (i.e. land disturbance permits, preliminary [sketch] plats, and final plats) also require at least one development bond before a permit can be issued. For example, a commercial land disturbance permit or residential subdivision land disturbance permit requires an erosion control bond. Please refer to the Land Development Bonds & Agreements page for more information.

Required Documents for Land Disturbance Applications

1. Completed Land Disturbance Permit Application
2. Upload one set of drawings in PDF format, no larger than 50 MB, stamped and signed by a Design Professional (required by O.C.G.A. § 43-4-16 [2013]).
3. Upload site plan for any new structures and additions to existing structures
4. Upload general contractor's license, business license, and government-issued photo ID of contractor if submitting with Dunwoody for the first time.
5. If you are submitting licenses on behalf of another individual, you will also need to upload a completed Authorized Permit Agent Form
6. Erosion & Environmental LDP Package (Erosion Control Bond, Erosion Control Affidavit, and Environmental Permits Affidavit) - for Commercial and Land Development projects
7. LDP Site Plan Requirements Checklist. The requirements for land disturbance permitting differ based on the type of project:

Residential Land Disturbance

Residential projects that involve land disturbance for either a stand-alone project (e.g. enlarging a driveway) or work done in addition to construction (e.g. enlarging a driveway and constructing a retaining wall or building addition) require land disturbance permits. Please refer to the checklist for Plan Requirements for Residential Land Disturbance Projects prior to application submittal.

Minor Commercial Land Disturbance

In general, commercial land disturbance projects that do not include any work in the right-of-way, have less than one acre of disturbance, and are adding less than 5,000 square feet of impervious surface likely qualify as minor land disturbance projects but the city will consider all factors of the project to determine if the project is minor versus major land disturbance. Please refer to the checklist for Plan Requirements for Minor Land Disturbance Projects prior to application submittal.

Major Commercial Land Disturbance

In general, projects that include work in the right-of-way, have more than one acre of disturbance, and/or are adding more than 5,000 square feet of impervious surface likely qualify as major land disturbance projects but the city will consider all factors of the project to determine if the project is minor versus major land disturbance. Please refer to the checklist for Plan Requirements for Major Land Disturbance Projects prior to application submittal.

Subdivisions

Projects that include any subdivision of land (with or without subsequent land disturbance) require a subdivision plat. Depending on the scope of work, the project will pursue a major subdivision and final plat or a minor subdivision.