Questions about permit to renovate

[Shay Yao]

Hello, everyone! I have a few questions about permits in the metro Atlanta area and particularly Gwinnett county. 

Do I need to obtain a permit to -

1. renovate an unfinished basement into living space?

2. close up a carport and renovate it into living space? 

3. convert a closed garage into living space?

Thanks a ton in advance!

[Jeff Roth]

Hi Shay in Atlanta, Georgia-

You are planning to renovate an unfinished basement, close up a carport/renovate into a living space, and convert a closed garage into a living space and wonder if you need to obtain permits.

It looks like you are planning to live in the property and rent out rooms to others or house hack.

I would always get permits for the following reasons.

1. If you rent spaces to others, local regulations may require work to be permitted sometimes even retroactively permit un-permitted work.

2. Future buyers will be able to see all work was done with permits which gives them confidence in what they are buying.

3. For liability reasons, if something should happen while renting to others, lawyers and insurance companies are very good at 1. trying to assign liability to make a claim or 2. avoid paying on one.

To Your Success!