How to Look Up City of Atlanta Property Records: A Practical Guide

If you own property in Atlanta, are thinking about buying here, or just want to research a specific address, property records are one of the most useful tools you can use. In Atlanta, these records are mainly handled at the county level, but several City of Atlanta departments also keep important information related to land, zoning, and taxes.

This guide walks you through how property records work for Atlanta, Georgia, where to find them, and how to use them whether you’re a homeowner, renter, investor, or just curious about a property in the city.

Key Point: City vs. County in Atlanta Property Records

Atlanta stretches across multiple counties, but most Atlanta addresses are in Fulton or DeKalb County. Property records are managed primarily by the county where the property is located, not by the city alone.

For any Atlanta address, your first step is to figure out which county the property is in:

• Fulton County – Large portion of the City of Atlanta, including Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Westside, and many southwest and northwest neighborhoods.
• DeKalb County – Many eastside Atlanta neighborhoods, such as East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Edgewood, and parts of Druid Hills.
• Smaller sections of Atlanta extend into Cobb and Clayton counties, but these are less common.

Once you know the county, you can use that county’s tax and property record systems. For city-specific information like zoning, permits, and code enforcement, you’ll use City of Atlanta departments.

What Are City of Atlanta Property Records?

When people say “City of Atlanta property records,” they’re usually talking about a combination of:

• Ownership records (who owns the property – managed at the county level)
• Tax records (assessed value, tax bills, exemptions)
• Deeds and liens (legal history of ownership and debts)
• Zoning and land use information (what the property is allowed to be used for)
• Building permits and inspections (work done on the property, issued by the city)
• Code enforcement records (violations, complaints, and related actions)

Some of this is handled by Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or Clayton County, and some by the City of Atlanta. Nearly all of it is considered public record, with certain privacy protections for sensitive personal information.

Where to Find Atlanta Property Ownership & Tax Records

Fulton County (Most of City of Atlanta)

If the property is in the Fulton County part of Atlanta, you’ll typically use:

• Fulton County Tax Assessor’s Office
  • Main office:
    Fulton County Government Center
    141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 1056
    Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone (main line commonly listed): 404-612-6440 (menu may direct you to Assessors)

You can usually look up:

• Property owner name
• Property address and parcel ID
• Assessed value and tax history
• Basic property characteristics (square footage, use type, etc.)

The Fulton County Tax Commissioner handles tax billing and payment, using the same basic property data.

• Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s Office
  141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 1085
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone (commonly published): 404-613-6100

DeKalb County (Eastside Atlanta Neighborhoods)

If the property is in the DeKalb County portion of Atlanta:

• DeKalb County Board of Assessors
  120 West Trinity Place
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Main phone (commonly used): 404-371-0841

Here you can typically find:

• Owner information
• Assessed value
• Property description
• Tax history

The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner manages billing and payments for properties in DeKalb.

Cobb and Clayton County Portions of Atlanta

Smaller sections of Atlanta extend into Cobb County and Clayton County. If your Atlanta address is in one of those areas, you would use:

• Cobb County Tax Assessor’s Office – Marietta, GA
• Clayton County Tax Assessor’s Office – Jonesboro, GA

If you’re not sure which county a specific Atlanta address is in, you can:

• Look at a recent property tax bill (it will show the county).
• Check your closing documents if you recently bought the property.
• Call the county tax assessor’s main line and provide the address.

City of Atlanta Departments Involved in Property Information

Even though county offices manage core property records, the City of Atlanta has several departments that maintain important property-related information.

Atlanta Department of City Planning

The Department of City Planning oversees zoning, land use, and development regulations.

• Department of City Planning
  Atlanta City Hall – 3rd Floor
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone often listed: 404-330-6160

From this department, you can typically get:

• Zoning designation for a property (for example, R-4, C-1, or mixed-use categories)
• What types of uses are allowed (residential, commercial, etc.)
• Information on planning and development approvals

This is especially useful if you:

• Plan to renovate or build on a property
• Want to open a business at a specific Atlanta address
• Are evaluating what can or cannot be built on a lot

Atlanta Department of City Planning – Office of Buildings

The Office of Buildings (within City Planning) handles building permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy.

• Same main address as City Planning:
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Through this office, you can often find:

• Records of permits for construction, renovation, electrical, plumbing, mechanical work
• Status of inspections and approvals
• Historical permit records for a property (helpful to see if work was done legally)

Deeds, Liens, and Official Recordings for Atlanta Properties

The deed to a property and most liens are recorded at the county Superior Court Clerk’s Office, not by the city itself.

Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court

• Fulton County Courthouse
  136 Pryor Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

This office typically maintains:

• Recorded deeds (warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, etc.)
• Security deeds (mortgages)
• Liens and plats (maps of subdivisions and lots)

If you need to confirm:

• The legal owner of a property
• A chain of title (ownership history)
• Whether there are recorded liens or other encumbrances

You would search the property records through the Fulton County Clerk if the property is in Fulton.

DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court

• DeKalb County Courthouse
  556 N McDonough Street
  Decatur, GA 30030

For Atlanta properties in DeKalb County, this is where you’d look for deed and lien records.

Common Types of Atlanta Property Records and Where to Go

Below is a simple summary of where to start depending on what you need.

How to Look Up a Specific Atlanta Property Step by Step

Here’s a practical way to approach it if you have an address in the City of Atlanta and want information.

1. Confirm the County

Use any of the following:

• Check the most recent tax bill (shows the county and parcel ID).
• Ask the property owner if possible.
• Call the Fulton or DeKalb Tax Assessor and ask them to confirm based on the address.

If you live in well-known neighborhoods:

• Likely Fulton County: Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, West End, Cascade, Collier Heights, Virginia-Highland (many parts), Atlantic Station, Bankhead, much of Southwest and Northwest Atlanta.
• Likely DeKalb County: East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Edgewood, parts of Druid Hills, some portions of Candler Park and Lake Claire, certain eastside neighborhoods.

2. Search County Property Records

Once you know the county:

• Look up the property by address or parcel number using the county’s property search tools or by calling their office.
• Note the owner name, assessed value, and parcel ID (also called parcel number or PIN).

This gives you the core record: who owns it, how it’s taxed, and how the county identifies it.

3. Check Deeds and Liens (If Needed)

If you need more formal legal information:

• Contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the same county (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or Clayton).
• Request or search for the deed using the owner’s name or the legal description/parcel information.
• If you’re dealing with a legal, title, or lending matter, many people choose to work with a real estate attorney or title company to interpret these records.

4. Look Up Zoning and Use Restrictions

If you are planning to build, renovate, or change how the property is used:

• Contact the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning.
• Provide the address and request the property’s zoning classification.
• Ask what uses are allowed and whether there are any special conditions or overlays that apply (for example, historic districts or special use permits).

5. Check Permits and Code Issues

To see if work has been done legally or if there are ongoing issues:

• Reach out to the Office of Buildings for permit history.
• Ask for open or past permits and inspection results tied to that address.
• If you suspect code violations (for example, unsafe conditions, illegal construction, or nuisance issues), you can contact City of Atlanta Code Enforcement through city channels.

Why Atlanta Property Records Matter

For someone living in, visiting, or investing in Atlanta, property records can help with:

• Buying or selling a home – Confirm ownership, taxes, and legal status.
• Appealing property taxes – Use the county-assessed value and comparable properties.
• Planning renovations or development – Make sure your project matches zoning and building code requirements.
• Researching neighborhoods – Understand how properties are valued and used across different parts of the city.
• Checking on rental properties – See if a landlord has taken out required permits or if the property has a history of violations.

Tips for Using Atlanta Property Records Effectively

• Have the full address ready. Include street name, direction (NE, SW, etc.), and ZIP code if possible.
• Know the county first. This saves time and avoids getting bounced between offices.
• Write down parcel IDs. Once you find a parcel ID, you can use it across multiple systems (assessor, tax bill, deed lookup).
• Call ahead before visiting offices. Confirm hours, any appointment requirements, and what identification you may need if you plan to request records in person.
• When in doubt, ask staff. County and city offices are accustomed to helping residents, buyers, and professionals navigate property records.

With a clear understanding of how City of Atlanta property information is split between city and county offices, you can usually find the records you need by following the steps above and contacting the right Atlanta-area agency for your specific question.