Over-the-Counter (OTC) Appointments
Under certain circumstances, City Staff is now able to review plans and issue a permit in a few hours for Residential projects. OTC Appointments are available Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:30 am and 9:30 am. Please contact nadkisson@sandyspringsga.gov or call us at 770-730-5600 and ask to speak with Natalie to inquire about an Over-the-Counter (OTC) Permit Appointment.
These “Same Day Permits” undergo plan review at the time of application and can be issued on the same day. Permit fees will be due prior to issuance of the Permit Card. If more complex plan revisions are required, staff will be unable to issue the permit in the same day.
When is a project eligible for an OTC Appointment?
In the following cases, Residential Permits are eligible for an OTC Appointment. See the requirements below for a Residential Permit to be eligible for an OTC Appointment:
- Residential - Accessory Structure (Application Guide)
- Eligible Residential Accessory Structure projects include sheds, pergolas, gazebos, and free-standing carports without utilities. Some structures may require footings. Structures under 200 sf do not require a permit but still must comply with zoning and not endanger the critical root zones of any trees.
- Residential - Decks and Covered Porches (Application Guide)
- Eligible Residential Decks and Covered Porches projects include replacing existing residential decks and covering existing residential porches only. Some expansion and repair of existing decks and covered porches may also qualify for this program. Projects within the Nancy Creek Sensitive Area or Chattahoochee River Corridor are not eligible.
- Demolition - Residential Interior Only (Application Guide)
- All Interior-Only Demolition projects are eligible for an OTC Appointment.
- Fence - Residential No Vehicular Gate (Application Guide)
- A Fence on a Residential property is eligible for an OTC Appointment if it does not include a vehicular gate, is not parallel to the street, and does not require columns or piers.
- Residential - Generator (Application Guide)
- All Residential Generator projects are eligible for an OTC Appointment.
- Residential - Interior Remodel (Application Guide)
- Eligible Residential Interior Remodel projects include some kitchens, bathrooms, and other projects that do not affect load-bearing walls. If the project will affect load-bearing walls, an engineer’s letter and specifications will also be required.
- Residential – Reconstruction (Application Guide)
- A Residential Reconstruction project which restores a building to its original condition within its existing footprint is eligible for an OTC Appointment.
- Residential - Roofing (Application Guide)
- All Residential Roofing projects are eligible for an OTC Appointment. A permit is required for flat roof replacement projects. A permit is not required to replace individual shingles on pitched roofs.
- Residential - Solar Panel (Application Guide)
- All Residential Solar Panel projects are eligible for an OTC Appointment.
- Tree Removal (Application Guide)
- All Tree Removal applications are eligible for an OTC Appointment.
When is a project not eligible for an OTC Appointment?
Any project that occurs within a stream buffer or river corridor or is under any special zoning considerations will need to be reviewed by staff determine if it is eligible for an OTC Appointment.
Commercial projects are not eligible for OTC Appointments.
The following Residential projects are not eligible for OTC Appointments:
- Residential - Additions and Alterations
- Additions and Alterations are not currently eligible for OTC Appointments.
- Residential - Single Family House
- Single Family Houses are not currently eligible for OTC Appointments.
- Residential - Townhouse (3 Stories or Less)
- Townhouse Projects are not currently eligible for OTC Appointments.