CODE ENFORCEMENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DEKALB COUNTY CODE COMPLIANCE ADMINISTRATION
CODE ENFORCEMENT

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

HOW CAN I CONTACT CODE ENFORCEMENT?

The Code Enforcement Division is located at
1807 Candler Road,  Decatur, GA 30032

Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, email and phone calls only on Saturday

Officers work 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday

You may contact the office at 404.687.3700 or submit information via Fax at 404.534.1270 and email at codeenforce@dekalbcountyga.gov

 

CAN I SUBMIT MY COMPLAINT ONLINE?
Yes. To submit an online complaint, click here.

 

MY NEIGHBOR'S GRASS IS KNEE HIGH. WHO SHOULD I CALL TO  REPORT THIS PROBLEM?
Owners and occupants of property shall not permit weeds or grass within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any building or structure to grow on such property to a height exceeding twelve (12) inches.   Please call, email or fax complaint using the contact information listed above.

 
WHO DO I CONTACT ABOUT ABOUT REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE MADE IN MY APARTMENT?
Apartment repair requests should be directed to the owner or manager of the property first. Then, if the repairs are not completed within a reasonable period of time, contact Code Enforcement.
 
 

CAN I OPERATE AN AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS OUT OF MY HOUSE?
(1.) No person shall perform a major overhaul of any vehicle or permit any other person to perform a major overhaul of any vehicle on premises in a residential zone unless:

a. The person performing the overhaul is the occupant of the premises;

b. The person performing the overhaul is the owner of the vehicle; and

c. The work is done inside a garage or enclosed structure; however, the major overhaul of such a vehicle on premises in a residential zone must be completed within three (3) days if such overhaul takes place outside of a garage or enclosed structure.

(2.) No person shall perform a major overhaul of any vehicle or permit any other person to perform a major overhaul of any vehicle on any premises in a business, commercial or industrial district, unless the overhaul is performed at an approved automobile sale or repair establishment.

 
HOW MANY UNLICENSED VEHICLES CAN I KEEP ON MY PROPERTY?
No person shall park or permit any other person to park any motor vehicle, except a motor vehicle parked in an enclosed building, on any premises in a residential district, if the vehicle:

(1.) Is unregistered;  (2.) Has expired registration; or  (3.) Does not have a lawful license plate or lawful temporary tag, which plate or tag is currently registered to that vehicle displayed thereon.
 
 
WHERE CAN I APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT?
The Department of Planning & Sustainability, located at 330 West Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030. They can be reached at (404) 371-4915.  Prior to your visit, it is a good idea to call the Permits Division ahead of time to explain your plans and ask about additional documentation to include with your permit application.
 
 

CAN I HAVE CHURCH SERVICE AT MY HOME?
(A) When located in a residential district, any building or structure established in connection with places of worship, monasteries or convents shall be located at least seventy-five (75) feet from any property line, except where the adjoining property is zoned for nonresidential use, the setback for any building or structure shall be no less than twenty (20) feet for a side-yard and no less than thirty (30) feet for a rear-yard.

(B) When located in a residential district, the required setback from any property line that adjoins a street right-of-way shall be the front-yard setback for the applicable residential district.

(C) When located in a residential district, the parking areas and driveways for any such uses shall be located at least twenty (20) feet from the boundaries of any property line, with a visual screen, e.g., a six-foot fence or sufficient vegetation established within that area.

(D) Places of worship, convents and monasteries in residential districts shall be located on a minimum lot area of three (3) acres and shall have frontage of at least one hundred (100) feet along a public street.

(E) Places of worship, convents and monasteries in residential districts shall be located only on a major or minor thoroughfare.

(F) Any uses, buildings or structures operated by a place of worship that are not specifically included within the definition of place of worship must fully comply with the applicable zoning district regulations, including, but not limited to, any requirement for a special land use permit.
 

 
CAN I REMAIN ANONYMOUS WHEN I REPORT A CODE VIOLATION?
Yes. However, there are some complaints that require the Officer to contact you for additional information and/or appointments. For example: If you report a lighting complaint, the Officer must come to your location to determine if the lighting is adversely affecting your property. If you are a tenant renting an apartment or a home, the Officer must contact you to schedule an appointment in order to conduct the inspection.
 
 
HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF MY CASE?
Prior to your visit, contact the Code Compliance Division at (404) 687-3700 to determine if your request can be completed at the time. The office must comply with the Georgia Open Records Request.
 
 
HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF THE ORDINANCES?
All of the Ordinances for DeKalb County can be viewed at: www.municode.com