Frequently Asked Questions

All permits for:

• Security and alarm systems
• Fire alarm panels and connections
• Low-voltage wiring associated with life-safety or monitoring systems

are handled by the Paulding County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The City of Dallas enforces minimum building, housing, and safety codes, but does not provide legal advice on landlord-tenant disputes.

For guidance on tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities, the City refers residents to the Georgia Tenant-Landlord Handbook, published by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

Key Points

• Tenants have the right to safe, sanitary, and habitable housing.
• The City can enforce building and life-safety codes, but cannot resolve rent disputes, leases, or evictions.
• The handbook explains lease agreements, security deposits, notice requirements, and other tenant protections.

Where to Find the Handbook

The handbook is available online:
Georgia Tenant-Landlord Handbook – DCA

Construction or installation work completed without required permits is considered unpermitted work and is a violation of City ordinances and adopted building codes.

If Unpermitted Work Is Discovered:

The City of Dallas may require one or more of the following actions:

• Stop-work order issued until permits are obtained
• Submission of a permit application after the fact
• Payment of applicable permit and penalty fees
• Inspection of completed work, which may require:
  • Removal of walls, ceilings, or coverings to allow inspection
  • Testing of systems (electrical, plumbing, mechanical)
• Corrections or reconstruction to bring work into code compliance
• Revocation of approval if work cannot be made compliant

Unpermitted work must be approved by the City before the space may be occupied or used.

Unpermitted work may also affect:

• Property sales or refinancing
• Insurance coverage
• Liability for property owners

All permits expire six months after the last required inspection that has been passed, or six months after the date of issue if no required inspections have been approved.

The building official may issue a six-month extension of any permit, for due cause, if requested in writing by the permit holder prior to such a permit expiring. The extension of any permit may require the payment of a fee.