Atlanta Compliance Calendar

Fire Safety Inspection and Fire Permits

Atlanta Fire Rescue Community Risk Reduction / Fire Inspections Section inspects existing commercial buildings for fire and life safety hazards; a $25 processing fee is added to every inspection request.

When: Inspections on request, at Certificate of Occupancy, and as required by the Fire Marshal; a fire permit may be required based on inspection results
Applies to: Commercial and multi-family occupancies inside the City of Atlanta
Authority: Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, Office of the Fire Marshal (404-546-7000)

Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance — benchmarking

Owners of covered non-city property benchmark energy (and water) use annually; the city publishes the data each September.

When: June 1, 2026 per Sec. 8-2222 (prior calendar year, via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager); the city program site currently lists July 1, 2026 as the 2026 compliance date
Applies to: Non-city property in Georgia property classes C, E, P or V with buildings totaling more than 50,000 gross sq ft, and since January 1, 2017 more than 25,000 gross sq ft; condominiums under one board over 50,000 sq ft
Authority: City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Resilience (buildingefficiency@atlantaga.gov)

If it slips: Written warning for a first violation; if benchmarking is not reported within 30 days of the warning, a fine of $1,000 upon conviction, with each year of non-compliance a separate $1,000 offense (Sec. 8-2226 penalties).

Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance — energy audit

Summary audit report by a qualified energy auditor (registered architect, professional engineer or certified energy manager with 2+ years of auditing experience, or equivalent certification). Buildings under 10 years old or recently commissioned may defer.

When: Every 10 years; due December 31 of the calendar year whose last digit matches the last digit of the property's Atlanta Building ID number (first cycle began 2016)
Applies to: Covered properties over 25,000 gross sq ft (see benchmarking entry)
Authority: City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Resilience

If it slips: Written warning; if the summary audit report is not filed within 90 days of the warning, a fine of $1,000 upon conviction, each year a separate offense.

Elevator and Escalator Inspection

Power passenger and freight elevators, escalators, manlifts, moving walks, hand elevators and dumbwaiters are inspected each 12 months; the signed Certificate of Inspection is posted in the cab and replaced at each inspection. Inspection reports are filed within 10 days with the state or local enforcement authority.

When: Once during each 12-month period (every 6 months in certain facilities under Title 32, Ch. 9, Art. 2)
Applies to: All elevators and related equipment in Georgia except private-residence elevators (initial inspection only)
Authority: Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, Engineering Division (or a local enforcement authority with an approved program)

If it slips: The enforcement authority may require the owner or lessee to discontinue use of unsafe equipment (§8-2-102).

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Permit (certificate) Inspection

A valid inspection certificate is required to operate a boiler or pressure vessel (§25-15-26). Internal-inspection intervals may be extended to 18 months (black liquor) or 24 months (power boilers) with Commissioner approval.

When: Power boilers and high-pressure high-temperature water boilers: annually (internal). Low-pressure steam, hot water heating and hot water supply boilers: biennially. Pressure vessels: every 3 years.
Applies to: Boilers and pressure vessels in Georgia other than those exempted by the Act
Authority: Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Section

Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing

All commercial water customers, and residential customers with irrigation systems or certain home-based businesses, must maintain and test backflow prevention assemblies.

When: Periodic testing by a registered backflow assembly tester; test reports filed with the Department of Watershed Management via SwiftComply. Interval is set by the program (the authority page does not print it; industry practice is annual).
Applies to: Commercial water customers of the City of Atlanta and specified residential customers
Authority: Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, Environmental Compliance Section