# Duluth Moved All New Permits to GovWell — Your Site Plan Still Needs to Match a Real Boundary Survey
There's a two-part checklist for getting a permit in Duluth. Part one: know where to submit. Part two: know what the site plan has to show — because Duluth's content requirements go beyond what most Gwinnett cities ask for.
Part one: All new permit applications go through GovWell, Duluth's online permitting platform. If you have a permit that was already active when the city made the switch, that stays in iWorQ. Everything new starts in GovWell — no over-the-counter intake for new applications.
Part two: Duluth requires the site plan to be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary line survey. That means your lot geometry comes from survey data, not from a rough sketch or a hand-measured estimate off the curb.
---
What Duluth's Site Plan Must Show
| Element | Duluth Requirement |
|---|---|
| Lot boundaries | Drawn from accurate boundary line survey data |
| Existing structures | All buildings and structures with dimensions and locations |
| Proposed project | Footprint, size, height, use — precisely located on the lot |
| Setbacks | Measured distances from every structure to every relevant property line |
| Street grades | Established (existing) grade elevations at the street |
| Finished grades | Proposed finish grade elevations across the building pad |
| Flood hazard areas | Shown with zone designation if applicable |
| North arrow | Required |
| Scale | Stated explicitly on drawing |
---
Two Common Rejection Reasons in Duluth
Missing property lines. The city is explicit: a site plan drawn without reference to a recorded boundary survey is a reject. If your lot geometry doesn't match the Gwinnett County plat on file, the reviewer sends it back — no matter how complete the rest of the plan looks.
Missing grade callouts. Established street grades and proposed finished grades aren't suggestions — they're listed requirements for any project where grading or elevation is relevant. For decks, additions, and grading-adjacent projects, show spot elevations at key points: top-of-slab, top-of-footing, and finish grade across the pad area.
---
Pool Permits: A Separate Site Plan Required
Duluth requires a separate site plan for pool permits — independent from the house plans. That site plan specifically needs to show:
- Pool location with setback dimensions to all property lines
- Pool equipment pad location
- Safety barrier/fence layout
If you're pulling a pool permit alongside other work, prepare two separate site plan documents.
---
Project-by-Project at a Glance
| Project | Key Site Plan Requirement | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Pool | Separate site plan — setbacks, equipment, barrier layout | Permit required |
| Deck | Boundary-grounded footprint, height, setbacks, grades | Permit required |
| Shed | Setbacks to all property lines, size | ≥120 sq ft requires permit |
| Fence | Height, line locations, setbacks | Verify requirement |
| Addition | Existing + addition footprint, grades, setbacks | Permit required |
| Garage | Footprint, driveway, setbacks, grades | Permit required |
---
Using the Site Plan Creator for a Duluth Permit
- Enter your Duluth address. Gwinnett County parcel data loads — lot boundaries and dimensions pull from the county database, grounding your plan in recorded survey geometry.
- Verify boundary accuracy. Compare loaded parcel lines against your recorded plat before adding project elements. If there's a discrepancy, flag it before submission. See how to fix property line labels if labels need adjusting.
- Place your project. Setback lines auto-generate from property boundaries. Verify all setback dimensions are visible and labeled.
- Add grade callouts. Note established street grade elevation and proposed finished grade at the building pad. Add these as text annotations on the plan.
- For pools — export a second, separate sheet showing only pool location, setbacks, and equipment layout. Duluth expects this as a standalone document, not a note on the house plan.
---
GovWell Submission Walkthrough
- Go to the Duluth permits page at duluthga.net
- Create or log into your GovWell account
- Start a new permit application — select the correct permit type
- Upload your site plan PDF, fill in project details, and submit
- Track review status through GovWell — plan correction comments come through the portal, not via phone
Existing active iWorQ permits: continue to manage those through iWorQ until they close.
---
What This Doesn't Replace
The site plan creator produces preliminary, conceptual drawings grounded in Gwinnett County parcel data. It is not a licensed land survey, a flood elevation certificate, or a grading engineering plan. Where Duluth's requirements call for survey-precise measurements or certified grading data beyond what parcel records support, engage a licensed surveyor or civil engineer. Final permit approval rests entirely with the City of Duluth.
---
Local Resources
---
Nearby Cities in Gwinnett
County overview: Gwinnett County permit site plan requirements.
---
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Duluth still accept walk-in permit applications?
For new permits, no — all new applications start in GovWell online. If you have a permit that was already active before the GovWell transition, it remains in iWorQ. Call the city's permits office to confirm which system applies to your specific situation.
2. What is GovWell?
GovWell is a cloud-based permitting platform that Duluth uses for all new permit submissions. You create an account, select your permit type, upload required documents including the site plan, and track review through the portal.
3. Why does Duluth require a boundary survey as the basis for the site plan?
A boundary line survey is the legally recorded geometry of your lot. Duluth's plan reviewers verify that site plan dimensions match county-recorded plat data. A sketch that doesn't match recorded lines is rejected as inaccurate regardless of how detailed the internal plan content is.
4. What grades need to be on the site plan?
Duluth requires established (existing) street grade elevations and proposed finished grades across the building pad. For deck and addition projects, show finish grade at the structure and spot elevations at relevant corners of the pad.
5. Why does a pool need its own separate site plan?
Pool permits in Duluth require a standalone site plan showing pool location, setbacks to all property lines, equipment pad location, and safety barrier layout. This is separate from any house plan or general site plan submitted for other work.
6. What happens if my Duluth plan comes back with corrections?
Correction comments come through GovWell. You'll receive a notification, log in, review the specific items flagged, revise the site plan, and reupload the corrected version through the portal. Do not email or call with resubmittal documents — use the portal.
7. Does the site plan creator load actual Gwinnett County parcel geometry?
Yes — enter your Duluth address and the tool pulls Gwinnett County parcel data, giving you recorded lot dimensions as the base for your drawing. That recorded geometry is what Duluth considers "drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary line survey" for purposes of the residential site plan requirement.
8. Is there a fee for Duluth building permits?
Yes — permit fees vary by project type and valuation. Check the current fee schedule on duluthga.net or call the permits office before submitting.
9. What flood zone information needs to appear on the plan?
If your Duluth property falls in a FEMA-designated flood hazard area, show the flood zone designation and applicable base flood elevation on the site plan. Properties outside mapped flood zones can note "No flood hazard area — Zone X" or similar.
10. Can homeowners pull their own permits in Duluth?
Yes — homeowners can apply for permits on their primary residence in Georgia. The site plan requirements are the same regardless of who prepares or submits the application.
---
Start Your Duluth Site Plan
New submission goes through GovWell. Plan has to match a boundary survey. Grades need to be on the drawing. Enter your address, pull Gwinnett County parcel geometry, add your project, note the grades, and export. First plan is free.
Need a human-reviewed drawing before you submit to GovWell?
SitePlans.us delivers a reviewed, non-certified permit-style plan within one to two business days.