Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Fulton County, Georgia

Quick Answer: Fulton County requires low voltage permits for commercial structured cabling installations. Contractors must hold a Georgia Low Voltage Contractor license (LVT for telecommunications or LVU for unrestricted work). Installations must comply with NEC Article 800 for communications circuits and local building codes.

When Are Permits Required for Structured Cabling in Fulton County?

Structured cabling permits in unincorporated Fulton County are typically required for commercial network infrastructure projects. Understanding permit requirements helps avoid delays and penalties.

Projects That Require Permits

• Commercial network installations: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and fiber optic infrastructure
• Voice systems: Telephone, VoIP, and unified communications cabling
• Data center buildouts: Server room and network closet installations
• Backbone cabling: Building risers and horizontal distribution
• New construction: Rough-in cabling during building construction
• Tenant improvements: Network infrastructure for new tenant buildouts
• Campus infrastructure: Inter-building fiber connections

Potentially Exempt Work

• Patch cable installations within existing infrastructure
• Adding drops to existing pathways with available capacity
• Equipment relocations using existing cabling
• Single-family residential network installations
• Wireless access point additions on existing network

Note: Fulton County includes multiple municipalities (Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, South Fulton, Milton). Each has separate permitting. This guide covers unincorporated Fulton County.

Georgia Low Voltage Contractor Licensing

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 43-14) requires contractors performing low voltage work for compensation to hold a license from the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board.

License Types for Structured Cabling

License	Code	Scope	Best For
Unrestricted	LVU	All low voltage work	Full-service contractors
Telecommunications	LVT	Voice, data, network systems	Dedicated cabling contractors
General	LVG	General low voltage (non-alarm, non-telecom)	AV and intercom installers

LVT License Requirements

The LVT (Telecommunications) license is ideal for structured cabling contractors:

• Experience: Minimum 1 year in telecommunications low voltage wiring
• Documentation: Detailed work history describing at least 3 complete installations
• References: 3 letters including one from a licensed low voltage contractor
• Examination: Pass state exam with 70% or higher (4 hours, open book)
• Application: Submit through Georgia GOALS portal
• Fee: $30 application fee

For complete licensing details, see our Georgia Low Voltage Contractor License Guide.

NEC Article 800 Compliance

All structured cabling installations in Fulton County must comply with NEC Article 800 (Communications Circuits).

Cable Type Requirements

Cable Type	Rating	Application
CMP	Plenum	Air-handling spaces, ducts, plenums
CMR	Riser	Vertical shafts, floor-to-floor runs
CM/CMG	General	General purpose, horizontal runs
CMX	Limited Use	Residential, limited commercial

Key Installation Requirements

• Workmanship: Cables must be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner
• Support: Cables supported by building structure, not ceiling tiles
• Separation: Minimum 2-inch separation from power circuits or use barriers
• Firestopping: Penetrations through fire-rated assemblies must be properly firestopped per NEC 300.21
• Grounding: Primary protectors grounded per NEC 800.100
• Listing: All cables must be listed for their intended use

Plenum Space Requirements

CMP-rated (plenum) cable is required in:

• Ceiling spaces used for air return
• Raised floor plenums
• Ducts and air-handling spaces
• Any space used for environmental air

Fulton County Permit Process

Step 1: Verify Jurisdiction

Confirm whether the project is in unincorporated Fulton County or a municipality before proceeding.

Step 2: Prepare Documentation

Gather required documentation:

• Floor plans showing cable routes and outlet locations
• Riser diagrams for multi-floor installations
• Equipment room layouts
• Cable specifications and quantities
• Project valuation for fee calculation
• Georgia low voltage license verification

Step 3: Submit Application

Submit through the appropriate channel:

• Unincorporated Fulton County: Fulton County Permits
• Municipalities: Contact local building department

Step 4: Inspections

Schedule inspections at required phases:

• Rough-in inspection: Before walls or ceilings are closed
• Final inspection: After installation completion and testing

Fees and Timeline

Item	Typical Range	Notes
Low Voltage Permit	Based on valuation	Percentage of project value
Plan Review	Varies	For larger installations
Re-inspection	Additional fee	If initial inspection fails

Processing Time: Standard permits typically process within 5-10 business days.

Contact Information

Fulton County Public Works
Planning, Zoning and Permitting
Website: fultoncountyga.gov

Georgia State Board of Low Voltage Contractors
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
Phone: (404) 424-9966
Toll-Free: (844) 753-7825

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Structured Cabling

• Single-family homes generally exempt from permits
• New construction pre-wire may be included under general electrical
• Georgia license still required for work performed for compensation
• Homeowners may perform their own installations

Commercial Structured Cabling

• Low voltage permits typically required
• NEC Article 800 compliance mandatory
• Plenum-rated cable required in air-handling spaces
• Firestopping documentation required
• Testing and certification often required

Industry Standards and Best Practices

ANSI/TIA Standards

While not always code-required, following industry standards ensures quality installations:

• TIA-568: Commercial building telecommunications cabling standard
• TIA-569: Telecommunications pathways and spaces
• TIA-606: Administration standard for telecommunications infrastructure
• TIA-607: Generic telecommunications bonding and grounding

Testing Requirements

• Category cable testing to TIA standards
• Fiber optic testing per TIA-526
• Documentation of all test results
• Certification reports for customer

Pro Tips from Georgia Cabling Contractors

• Verify jurisdiction first: Confirm county vs. municipal jurisdiction before starting
• Check ceiling type: Determine plenum vs. non-plenum before ordering cable
• Plan pathways: Coordinate with other trades for shared pathways
• Document firestops: Photograph all firestop installations
• Label consistently: Use TIA-606 labeling standards
• Test before closing: Complete cable certification before walls close
• Provide as-builts: Deliver accurate as-built drawings to customer
• Consider expansion: Install spare capacity for future growth

Municipal Contacts in Fulton County

Municipality	Contact
Atlanta	Office of Buildings
Sandy Springs	Community Development
Roswell	Building Inspections
Johns Creek	Community Development
Alpharetta	Community Development
South Fulton	Community Development
Milton	Community Development

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when structured cabling projects hit permits in Fulton County before they reach bid boards?

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Related Permit Guides

• Georgia Low Voltage Contractor License Guide
• Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Atlanta, Georgia
• Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Savannah, Georgia
• Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Augusta, Georgia
• Structured Cabling Permit Requirements in Macon, Georgia