Cobb County handles building permits for all unincorporated areas and several smaller municipalities that contract with the county. Larger cities like Marietta, Smyrna, and Kennesaw maintain their own independent building and zoning departments. Development in unincorporated areas is subject to specific watershed protection and soil erosion control overlays managed by the county.
Cobb County enforces a strict Tree Preservation Ordinance that requires a tree survey and potential replacement or recompense for trees removed during development.
How this fits with the state
The state authority here is GA State Licensing Board. The county file does not replace that — it adds the permit office, local overlays, and the actual filing path.
Source · Cobb County Community Development Agency - Building DivisionLast verified · 05 / 2026