# Dacula Calls It a Building Location Plan — Here's What Two-Set Submissions Look Like for Residential Permits
The Dacula Building Department issues permits the same way most Gwinnett County cities do — but with one extra layer that catches out-of-county contractors: you need written approval from three separate Gwinnett County agencies before the city will issue your building permit. Not email confirmation, not a verbal ok. Written approval from Gwinnett County Fire Services, Gwinnett County Public Utilities, and Gwinnett County Environmental Health. These agencies operate on their own review timelines, and if you don't start that process early, your permit sits ready at the Building Department while you wait for paperwork from Gwinnett County offices.
Start with the site plan. While it's being drawn, initiate the county agency approvals. By the time the Building Location Plan is complete and submitted, the approvals are in hand — and the two-to-three-week building review is the only thing standing between you and a permit.
---
Does Your Dacula Project Need a Permit?
| Project | Permit Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shed under 120 sq ft | No | Gwinnett County exemption |
| Shed 120 sq ft and over | Yes | Building Location Plan required |
| Deck | Yes | Building Location Plan required |
| Fence | Verify with dept | Depends on height and location |
| Pool | Yes | Building Location Plan + barrier plan |
| Garage (detached) | Yes | Building Location Plan required |
| Addition | Yes | Building Location Plan required |
| Commercial project over $100K or 5,000 sq ft | Yes | GA Registered Architect or Engineer required |
---
What a Dacula Building Location Plan Must Show
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Lot boundaries | Accurate dimensions on all sides |
| Existing structures | Home footprint, driveway, outbuildings |
| Proposed work | Location and dimensions |
| Setbacks | Measured distance from proposed work to all property lines |
| Easements | Utility and drainage easements — labeled |
| Streams and buffers | All natural water features and required buffer distances |
| North arrow | Required |
| Scale | Stated in title block |
| Title block | Address, owner, preparer, date |
Submission format: Two full-size complete sets of plans. Faxed copies are not accepted. Plans must also include a detailed written description of all work to be done and the layout of both the existing and completed floor plan.
For structural work (decks, additions): Include layout, measurements, and materials for the framing process; riser diagrams for plumbing, HVAC, gas, and electrical where applicable.
---
The Three County Agency Approvals
Before Dacula can issue a building permit, written approval must come from:
- Gwinnett County Fire Services — Fire code compliance review
- Gwinnett County Public Utilities — Water and sewer connection confirmation
- Gwinnett County Environmental Health — Septic, drainage, and environmental compliance
These agencies operate on their own timelines, independently of the city's Building Department review. Contact each agency at the time you start your permit application — not after. A building permit that's been reviewed and approved by the city can still sit idle for weeks if county approvals are slow.
---
Dacula Setbacks
| Yard | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Front yard | 20 – 50 ft |
| Side yard | 5 – 10 ft |
| Rear yard | 15 – 30 ft |
| Accessory structures | 5 ft minimum from all property lines |
These are district-variable. Verify your specific zoning district with the Dacula Building Department before drawing setback lines.
---
Project-by-Project Requirements
| Project | What to Show | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Shed (120+ sq ft) | Lot boundaries, shed footprint, setbacks from all sides | Under 120 sq ft: no permit |
| Deck | Lot boundaries, deck footprint, height, framing details, setbacks | Always requires permit |
| Fence | Lot boundaries, fence line, height, setbacks | Verify requirement with dept |
| Pool | Lot boundaries, pool location, barrier dimensions, setbacks | Permit + barrier required |
| Garage (detached) | Lot boundaries, garage footprint, driveway, setbacks | Permit required |
| Addition | Existing + addition footprints, setbacks, framing details | Permit required |
---
How the Site Plan Creator Handles Dacula Plans
- Enter your Dacula address. Gwinnett County parcel data loads — lot boundaries, bearings, distances, and street context generate automatically.
- Confirm your parcel boundary. Cross-reference with your deed, especially near stream or drainage features common in Gwinnett's growing subdivisions.
- Place your proposed structure. Setback lines auto-generate from the property boundaries.
- Add stream/buffer notation. If your lot has a drainage feature, label the buffer distance as an annotation.
- Export two copies. Print two full-size sets for submission. Add your detailed written description of work as a separate attachment.
While the plan is exporting, call Gwinnett County Fire Services, Public Utilities, and Environmental Health to initiate their approval processes — don't let that be the bottleneck after you've already done the plan work.
---
Comparison Table
| Method | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-drawn | Free | Hours | Two full-size sets required; fax not accepted |
| Site plan creator | Free (first plan) | 8 – 15 min | Gwinnett parcel data auto-loads; PDF output for printing |
| Done-for-you (SitePlans.us) | Contact for pricing | 1 – 2 business days | Human-reviewed, non-certified plan |
| Licensed drafter | \$250 – \$500 | 1 – 2 weeks | Adds cost and wait time |
---
What This Doesn't Replace
The site plan creator generates preliminary, conceptual Building Location Plans for residential projects where Dacula allows homeowner-prepared drawings. It is not a licensed survey, a sealed engineering drawing, or documentation replacing Gwinnett County agency approvals. Commercial projects over \$100,000 or 5,000 square feet require plans from a Georgia-registered architect or engineer. Final permit approval is at the sole discretion of the Dacula Building Department.
---
Local Resources
---
Nearby Cities in Gwinnett
County overview: Gwinnett County permit site plan requirements.
---
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Building Location Plan in Dacula?
It's the term Dacula uses for what most cities call a site plan or house location plan — a scaled drawing showing the lot boundaries, all existing and proposed structures, setback distances, easements, and streams. For residential projects, homeowners can prepare it themselves.
2. How many plan sets does Dacula require?
Two full-size complete sets of plans. Faxed copies are not accepted. Submit in person or by the method specified on the current city application form.
3. What approvals do I need before Dacula issues my building permit?
Written approval from three Gwinnett County agencies: Fire Services, Public Utilities, and Environmental Health. Start these approvals at the same time you start your Building Location Plan — they run parallel, not after your plan review.
4. Can I draw my own Building Location Plan?
Yes, for residential projects. Commercial projects over \$100,000 in construction value or over 5,000 square feet require plans prepared by a Georgia-registered architect or engineer.
5. How long does plan review take in Dacula?
Two to three weeks for building plan review once a complete application is submitted. County agency approvals run on separate timelines — initiate them early.
6. What size shed is exempt from permits in Dacula?
Sheds under 120 square feet are exempt from building permits under Gwinnett County rules, which apply inside Dacula city limits. Sheds at or above that threshold require a permit and a Building Location Plan.
7. What should deck plans include in Dacula?
Beyond the site location plan, deck permits require the layout, measurements, and materials of the framing, along with riser diagrams for any electrical (outdoor outlets, lighting) and structural details for footings and connections.
8. Does the site plan creator guarantee my Dacula permit will be approved?
No. The tool creates preliminary, conceptual drawings. Final approval is at the discretion of the Dacula Building Department and is contingent on written county agency approvals. Site plan accuracy is the starting point, not the guarantee.
---
Build Your Dacula Building Location Plan — Then Start the County Approvals
Two-set submission, two-to-three-week review. Enter your address, generate your Gwinnett County parcel geometry, place your proposed structure, and export two PDFs. While those are printing, call Gwinnett County Fire, Public Utilities, and Environmental Health. First plan is free.
Complex project or urgent timeline?
SitePlans.us delivers a human-reviewed, non-certified plan in one to two business days — so your county approval process isn't the only thing waiting on the drawing.