Explore Community Development statistics: residential and commercial inspections, single and multi-family home permits, commercial space, inspections, and code enforcement statistics by District.
Who are we?
The Community Development Agency is the development-coordinating agency for Cobb County. It is responsible for implementing federal and state environmental mandates; it advises the Board of Commissioners and the general public on development and planning issues as they affect the environment, financial, economic, legal, and social welfare of Cobb County. The Agency has a responsibility to maintain and increase the quality of life in the County as deemed necessary by the Board of Commissioners and County residents; it fulfills its role by providing and, when necessary, enhancing the following programs as administered by its eight divisions: Administration, Business License, Code Enforcement, Development and Inspections, Erosion Control, Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development.
Our Mission
The mission of the Community Development Agency is to:
- Ensure safe, quality residential, commercial, and industrial development in accordance with federal, state, community, and professional mandates and standards;
- Inspect sites and buildings for compliance with federal, state, community, and professional practices, mandates and standards;
- Provide enforcement of County ordinances as applicable to development;
- Provide the best possible advice on planning, zoning and redevelopment matters to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission, Cemetery Preservation Commission, South Cobb Redevelopment Authority and the Board of Commissioners to ensure that their decisions will serve the best interests of County residents;
- Issue business licenses (as authorized by state law), assess and collect occupational taxes and permits, and collect related fees, penalties, interest, and taxes on beer, wine, liquor, cable television, and hotels/motels; and
- Encourage job creation, business investment, and redevelopment through economic development services.
Contact Us
Mailing and Physical Address
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 649
Marietta, GA 30061-0649
Physical Address:
1150 Powder Springs St, Suite 400
Marietta, GA 30064
No mail is accepted at this address.
Department Contacts
- Business License: (770) 528-8410
- Residential Permitting: (770) 528-2060
- Commercial Permitting: (770) 528-2071
- Sign Permitting: (770) 528-2035
- Site Plan Review: (770) 528-2147
- Commercial Structural Plan Review: (770) 528-2071
- Erosion and Sediment Control: (770) 528-2190
- Planning: (770) 528-2018
- Zoning: (770) 528-2035
- GIS: (770) 528-2002
- Inspections: (770) 528-2051
- Code Enforcement: (770) 528-2180
- Nuisance Abatements / Rental Complaints: (770) 528-2044
- Maintenance and Performance Bonds: (770) 528-2125
Administration Division
Jessica Guinn, Director
(770) 528-2125
Jerome Abbott, Business Manager
(770) 528-2110
Brittany Hughes, Communications Specialist
(770) 528-2082
The Administration Division is responsible for planning, directing, supporting and supervising the functions of various divisions and sections including Business License, Code Enforcement, Development and Inspections, Erosion Control, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Economic Development, Planning, and Zoning. The administration division coordinates the acceptance of public infrastructure constructed as part of new development projects, as well as develops county policies and procedures regarding land use and development and collects revenues through licensing and fine assessments. Most importantly, the division focus is to maintain and increase the quality of life in the county as deemed necessary by the Board of Commissioners and county residents.
Business License Division
Ellisia Webb, Manager
(770) 528-8410
The Cobb County Business License Division reviews, approves, and processes business permit applications. All entities and persons doing business in unincorporated Cobb County (including subcontractors and commercial property landlords) are required to obtain a business or occupation authorization through the Business license Division.
Code Enforcement Division
Brent Farrell, Manager
(770) 528-2180
Code Enforcement division is responsible for investigating and enforcing code violations of a number of chapters of the Cobb County Code, including zoning, sign, and solid waste, through complaints and/or inquiries received, as well as through proactive enforcement.
Development and Inspections Division
Kevin Gobble, Manager
(770) 528-2189
The Development & Inspections Division ensures that all county development adheres to the laws and regulations of Cobb County, the State of Georgia, and the United States Government. This division is made up of three sections. The Site Plan Review section, which coordinates the review and approval process for all site construction documents submitted for permitting; the Site Inspections section, which issues field permits for various site construction activities after a successful inspection of requirements from issued Land Disturbance Permit (LDP); and the Permitting section, which is responsible for reviewing and approving building permits and issuing Certificate’s of Occupancy.
Erosion and Sediment Control Division
Frank Gipson, Manager
(770) 528-2190
Erosion and Sediment Control is responsible for the enforcement of state law (The Erosion and Sedimentation Act O.C.G.A. 12-7-1 et. Seq.) and the county ordinance (SS 50-75) to protect the natural resources in Cobb County. The main goal is to provide and maintain a better quality of life for our citizens. In addition, the division is actively involved in educating and providing technical assistance to staff, developers, and engineers.
Planning and Economic Development Division
Phillip Westbrook, Senior Planner
(770) 528-2018
The Planning Division is responsible for long-range and short-range planning activities in the development of special area and small area studies. It is the responsibility of the Planning Division to maintain the county's Comprehensive Plan to accurately reflect current community conditions, the community’s vision, and priorities for the future. While major updates follow every 5 and 10 years, minor updates, which include changes to the text and future land use map, occur on an annual basis. The Planning Division also contains the GIS and Historic Preservation sections of Community Development. The GIS section is responsible for mapping, database management, and analysis of data as it relates to the support of a variety of Agency functions. The Historic Preservation section works to preserve Cobb's historic resources and acts as the liaison between other county departments and the Historic Preservation Commission.
The Economic Development Division supports existing businesses, prospective businesses, and development opportunities that sustain and grow Cobb County. The Economic Development Division is the main contact for small and large business resources including: assistance with community development processes, business development consultations, local incentives, workforce development, and business expansion. Economic Development accepts film permit applications and works in conjunction with Cobb Travel and Tourism's county-wide filming initiatives. The Grants Development Specialist in this division works directly with the CDBG Program office to administer all county grant funding.
Zoning Division
John Pederson, Manager
(770) 528-2035
Zoning is the process in which governments manage the physical development of land and the types of uses to which each individual property may be placed. Zoning laws typically specify the areas in which residential, industrial, recreational, or commercial activities may occur. These sets of laws or codes can be found in the Zoning Ordinance generally referred to as the Land Development Code. The Zoning Division administers all sign permitting requests and serves as the liaison with the Cemetery Preservation Commission.
State and County Contacts
Cobb County Information Line
(770) 528-1000
Cobb Communications
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090
Cobb County Water System
(700) 419-6200
Cobb County Water System
660 South Cobb Drive
Marietta, GA 30060
Better Business Bureau
(404) 766-0875
bbb.org/atlanta
503 Oak Place, Suite 590
Atlanta, GA 30349
Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs
(404) 651-8600
consumer.georgia.gov
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 356
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Small Claims Court
(770) 528-8910
Magistrate Court
32 Waddell Street
Marietta, GA 30090
Internal Revenue Service
(877) 423-6711
irs.gov
1899 Powers Ferry Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30339
GA Secretary of State
(404) 656-2817
sos.ga.gov
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
GA Department of Revenue
(877) 423-6711
dor.georgia.gov
1800 Century Blvd NE
Atlanta, GA 30345
GA Department of Community Health
(404) 656-4507
dch.georgia.gov
2 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
GA Department of Agriculture
(404) 656-3600
agr.georgia.gov
19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334
Cobb County Police Department
(770) 499-3900
Police Department
140 North Marietta Parkway
Marietta, Georgia 30060
Tax Commissioner's Office
(770) 528-8600
cobbtax.org
736 Whitlock Ave NW Ste 100
Marietta, GA 30064
Tax Assessor's Office
(770) 528-3100
cobbassessor.org
736 Whitlock Ave NW Ste 200
Marietta, GA 30064
Superior Court Clerk's Office
(770) 528-1801
cobbsuperiorcourtclerk.com
70 Haynes Street
Marietta, GA 30090
Superior Court - Real Estate Office
(770) 528-1360
cobbsuperiorcourtclerk.com
10 East Park Square, Bldg C
Marietta, GA 30090