FAQs
Where can I find Planning Commission or Board of Appeals meeting dates and agendas?
Meeting dates, times and agendas can be found on the City calendar here.
Where can I find information on current rezoning or variance cases?
Current cases can be found here.
Where do I find forms, applications and/or checklists?
Forms and applications can be found in the forms library here.
Do I need a permit to construct a fence?
Yes, a permit is required to construct a fence.
Residential: There is no fee for residential fences. Permits shall be submitted through the Project Portal. Fences enclosing pools and detention area may require additional reviews. The Project Portal can be found here.
Commercial: Commercial fences require a permit and review. The fence permit shall be applied for through the project portal found here.
Do I need a permit for my event?
Details on special event permits can be found on the special event checklist found here.
Does the proposed referendum question eliminate the Homestead Freeze that Brookhaven residents now enjoy?
No, but it does set a cap on the the amount of increase in property values would be exempt from the portion of the tax bill for City services. Currently, Brookhaven homeowners have an unlimited homestead freeze for their primary residence. The proposed referendum would set a limit (cap) of 75% above the base assessed value of their primary residence.
Do I need a permit for a sign (banner, wall sign, monument)?
Permanent signs (wall or monument) do require a permit. Regulation regarding sign can be found in the sign ordinance here.
The permanent sign application and checklist can be found here. Applications should be filled out and submitted through the Project Portal found here
Temporary signs (banners, stack signs, standard informational):
Banners - A permit is required.
- Banners shall not exceed 24 square feet in size.
- Banners shall be allowed for a period not exceeding 14 days with no more than three such 14-day periods being permitted per calendar year per lot.
- All banners must be maintained in good condition.
Banner Application should be filled out and submitted through the project portal found here.
Standard Informational (stack signs):
A permit is not required. However, the follow regulations apply:
- One sign per lot not to exceed 16 square feet in area, or up to four signs not to exceed an aggregate sign area of 16 square feet.
- All standard informational signs shall be erected to a height not greater than six feet above ground level.
Why is there a need to remove the freeze?
In 2023, operating expenses were greater than available revenue. The operating budget passed for 2023 required the City Council to dip into reserve funds for $1,000,000 to balance the operating budget. The operating budget funds City services such as park maintenance, employee salaries, police officers, and other items.
Without a change to how the Homestead Exemption freeze works (the proposed legislation does not remove the freeze), the City will have to raise taxes, remove the cap on the millage rate, or cut services.
Can I get a waiver/variances to work outside of construction hours?
You can apply for a noise variance that is reviewed by staff. There is no fee for the noise variance request. Please send all request to Linda.Abaray@BrookhavenGA.gov.
Who created the referendum proposal, and why is a 75% increase selected? Is that an example that might change or is that the set value increase threshold?
The formula was one of a range of options presented to the Charter Review Commission by the Administration. The Charter Review Commission settled on the 75% increase over the base year of assessed value as the most equitable recommended solution to the City’s long-term financial health.
I bought my house in 2010 for $500K and it is now worth $750K. Was I subject to the freeze? What would this mean if capping the freeze passes for my monthly/yearly tax?
If you had a homestead exemption in 2011 (the first year after your purchase that you could have applied for one) your homestead assessed value would be frozen upon incorporation as the assessed value in 2011. If your home is now worth $750,000 as determined by the DeKalb County Tax Assessor’s office, it’s assessed value is $300,000. The base year assessed value on these assumptions (and assuming the residence increased in assessed fair market value from 2010 to 2011 by 5%) would be $210,000. In this scenario, you would not be subject to increased ad valorem taxes because the assessed value in 2023 is not 75% above the base year of assessed value. To be subject to the tax on growth, the assessed value would have to be $367,500.
I bought my home in 2015 for $750K. My house is now worth $1 million. Was I subject to the freeze? What would this mean if capping the freeze passes for my monthly/yearly taxes?
If you purchased your home in 2015 and you applied for a homestead exemption, your base year assessed value would be 40% of the Fair Market Value of your home as determined by the DeKalb County Tax Assessor’s office. It does not mean that your purchase price is the Fair Market Value for tax purposes. The Base Year Assessed Value is determined by the Tax Assessor’s determination of the value of the residence in 2015. Assuming that the purchase price and current market price are the Assessed Values by the DeKalb County Tax Assessor’s office, and they rarely are, the ratio between Base Year assessed value and current assessed value is 21%, which is less than the threshold for the application of the change in exemption levels. A home valued at $750,000 in its base year would need to be valued by the Tax Assessor’s Office at $1,312,500 before the exemption change would affect the taxes paid on the property.
If a cap is approved by voters, what would the increased revenue be used for?
The revenue raised from this change to how the Homestead Exemption Freeze is calculated will be applied to the City’s General Fund budget. This is for the operating funds budget of the City that pays for park maintenance, employee salaries, police officers, and other items funded solely by the General Fund.
Does this have anything to do with the new City Hall/Community Center?
No. That project is being funded out of the Special Services District and Urban Redevelopment Authority which are not part of the General Fund of the City’s Opertations.
How do I report a problem in my area in the road, right-of-way, or stormwater system?
The best way to report issues is through Brookhaven Connect using our website or downloading the FREE Brookhaven Connect app to report issues directly from your smartphone. Do not use Brookhaven Connect if you are reporting a Public Works emergency such as a tree blocking the road or flashing traffic signal, instead call our office 24 hours-a-day at 404-637-0540. Be sure to provide us with as much information as you can about the location with either exact addresses or nearest cross-streets.
I have a problem with sewage, water lines, or fire hydrants near my house. What do I do?
Brookhaven’s water and sewer services are maintained by DeKalb County Watershed. Homeowners are responsible for water and sewer systems within their property. You can contact them at 770-270-6243 to report the problem.
Does Brookhaven have its own Sanitation Department?
Sanitation service for the City of Brookhaven is provided by DeKalb County. As part of their new sanitation pilot program, many Brookhaven residents have received new collection bins. More information about DeKalb County's Sanitation Pilot Program, including route maps and pick-up schedules specific to Brookhaven, please visit their web site here. Please feel free to share your interests or concerns with DeKalb County at sanitationpilot@dekalbcountyga.gov. Or, you may call and leave a message on the Sanitation Pilot Hotline at (404) 294-2900.
What do I do if our trash pickup is missed?
Contact Pauline Andrea, Public Information Officer, at DeKalb County Sanitation by email paandrea@dekalbcountyga.gov or by phone 404-294-2092.
What does “traffic calming” mean?
From the Institute of Transportation Engineers: "Traffic Calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users." Goals included slower speeds, reduced collisions and reducing cut-through motor vehicle traffic.
What are some examples of traffic calming devices and methods?
Traffic calming measure include, but not limited to, speed humps, bicycle lanes, center traffic islands, splitter islands, striping, and turn restrictions.
Are stop signs traffic calming devices?
No, by law stop signs are for traffic control, not to control speeds.
How do I contact the Brookhaven Fire Marshal’s Office?
Call 404-637-0500. The Fire Marshal’s Office is located at Brookhaven City Hall at 4362 Peachtree Road, Brookhaven, GA, 30319. You may submit your concern via e-mail at Fire.Inspector@BrookhavenGA.gov.
What is a catch basin?
Curbside opening that collects rainwater from streets and serves as an entry point to the storm drain system, a vast network of underground pipes and open channels designed for flood control, which discharges to surface waters often by first going through a natural or constructed stormwater management facility such as, but not limited to, ditches, swales, roads with drainage systems, detention ponds, retention ponds, infiltration devices, oil/water separators, sediment basins, modular pavement or other such devices.