Frequently Asked Questions

Visit this page.

The cost for a general business license is based on annual gross receipts or the number of employees calculation, whichever is greater. For example, if your annual gross receipts are less than $100,000 and you do not have employees, the cost would range from $90 to $100 based on the tax classification of your business. For the cost of other licenses, please visit this page 

All new applications have to be reviewed and approved by the following departments: Business License, Fire, Planning and Zoning, and Building Permits. In addition, applications for alcoholic beverage licenses, privileged licenses, pawn shop licenses, and transient vendor/temporary business licenses are subject to a background check by the Marietta Police Department.

You may also contact the Business License Division at 770-794-5520 for assistance. 

For questions on the MPD background check, send an email to: mariettapolicepermits@mariettaga.gov

Yes. 

You may mail your payment to our office, addressed to Marietta Municipal Court, 240 Lemon Street, Marietta, GA 30060.  Your payment must be received no later than your court date.  Please write your court case number and name on the money order to ensure that the payment will be applied to the correct case.

Residential customers: Cash, checks, money orders and all major credit/debit cards. Commercial customers: Cash checks, or money orders are accepted. For deposit amounts over $1,500.00, Marietta Power and Water will accept a surety bond payable to Marietta Power and Water or an assignment of a Certificate of Deposit.

No, Marietta Power does not offer rebates for the installation of electrical vehicle chargers.

No, Marietta Power does not have a special rate for charging electrical vehicles. 

Residential

We offer rebates to our residential power customers for the purchase of some Energy Star rated appliances.  In addition, residential water customers are eligible for a rebate on the purchase of some low flow toilets.  Terms and conditions apply.   

We do not offer rebates for insulation installation or window replacements.   

Commercial

We do not offer rebates for commercial properties. 

Marietta along with most of metro Atlanta remains in a level 2 drought response. For extensive outdoor watering information, please go to our summary.

Because of the volume of requests, we cannot send bid opening lists or the bid documents. However, you can review all current solicitations and bid opening information & download bid documents too, from the website of our electronic platform (BIDNETDIRECT).  Click Here  

To receive solicitations that match your company's business, you must register your business on the electronic platform (no charge).  Click on Vendor Registration

For (PDF) instructions on "How to Register your Business" on the city's new electronic platform.  Click Here

Bid documents may also be picked up in the Purchasing Division at City Hall. For more information, please call (770) 794-5699, email to:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov
or visit the

Generally, there is no charge for plans and specifications. However, special projects, led by Project's Engineering/Architectural firm(s), may require a plan deposit. Payment should be paid directly to the firm.  

For more information, please visit the

For questions regarding a specific solicitation, please use the Q & A feature from the solicitation posted on the electronic platform.

For Help and Instructions with Vendor Registration (PDF), please CLICK HERE

For general information or other questions, please call the Purchasing Division at 770-794-5699 or email at:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov.

Any change made to a solicitation already posted on the electronic platform, shall be communicated via email, to vendors who previously downloaded documents.  Email notification of additional (addendum) documents shall be sent to all vendors who previously downloaded documents and shall be posted to solicitation.   

For more information, please call the Purchasing Division at 770-794-5699 or email at:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov

Yes. The city primarily uses two types of solicitations to award contracts. The most common solicitation is the request for bid (RFB), also known as a "sealed bid." This solicitation is used when the city knows what goods or services are needed, and want to receive the best price. Vendors are asked to submit their best bid in a sealed envelope at a specified date and time and are open to the public. For more information, please call the Purchasing Division at 770-794-5699 or send email to:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov

The city Purchasing regulations specifically address the protest procedures and time limits for filing a formal protest. The protest must be submitted to the assigned buyer within five working days of the notice of award. For more information, please call the Purchasing Division at 770-794-5699 or send email to:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov

Yes. The statement means that the city plans to award the contract to the lowest bidder. However, the lowest bidder has to submit a responsive bid and be determined to be a responsible contractor. A responsive bid means your quoted price must be considered reasonable and must meet the requirements of the solicitation. A price that is unreasonably low could be determined to be non-responsive, as well as failure to submit the required bonds or samples or even non-participation at a MANDATORY PRE-CONFERENCE requirement. For more information, please call the Purchasing Division at 770-794-5699 or send email to:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov

Then either your contact information may not be current or there are simply no available solicitations that “match” your business’ industry code(s), at this time.

Yes, as long as you meet the requirements of the solicitation. For more information, please visit the

Not usually. If you can provide the goods and/or services requested in the invitation to bid, you may bid on the specification. For more information, please visit the

After you have registered your business on the (BIDNETDIRECT) electronic platform and have identified a solicitation project you'd like to bid on, review the bid documents to see if your business meets the project requirements then place your electronic bid. 

For Help and Instructions on "How to Place an Electronic Bid", CLICK HERE

If your business is not already registered with BIDNETDIRECT, click on the link VENDOR REGISTRATION to begin the process.

You should read the specification document very carefully and follow all instructions. This is the best way to keep from having your bid disqualified. Late bids are automatically disqualified. In general, bids and RFPs/RFQs can also be disqualified for the following reasons:

- Lateness

- Missing information and/or signatures.

- Submitting photocopies instead of originals.

- Not participating the solicitation's MANDATORY PRE-CONFERENCE meeting

Please note that this list is provided as a guide and should not be considered all-inclusive. For more information, please call the Purchasing Division at 770-794-5699 or send email at:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov

If you don't live or work in Marietta or Cobb County, but meet the requirements of the solicitation, you may simply "Place a Bid" on the BIDNET electronic platform.  For questions regarding a specific solicitation, you may send an e-mail from the BIDNETDIRECT solicitation platform or email Purchasing directly at:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov.   

Bids are opened and read publicly at the time and date indicated within the bidding documents. Bids and proposals received after the hour and date indicated for the opening will not be considered. The public is invited to attend all bid/proposal openings held in Marietta's Purchasing Division at City Hall.

Submitters of RFPs/RFQs are announced publicly at the time and date given in the RFP/RFQ documents.

Please note that late bids and/or RFPs/RFQs may not be accepted.

For more information, please call the Purchasing Division at 770-794-5699 or send email to:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov

If you see a project that corresponds with the commodities or services you can provide, the bid or proposal documents can be downloaded from the BIDNETDIRECT electronic platform. 

For other questions or more information, please call the Purchasing Division at 770-794-5699 or send email to:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov

If you would like to register your business to begin receiving solicitations that meet the products or services your business provides, click on the VENDOR REGISTRATION link.

If your business is NEW to the city of Marietta and would like to register as a vendor, click here.  

After you have registered your business with the city of Marietta, and would like to begin receiving solicitations that meet the products or services your business provides, click 

on the (BIDNETDIRECT) VENDOR REGISTRATION link.

Once after you register your business and have supplied us with your w9 form, you will need to register your business on BIDNETDIRECT electronic platform to begin receiving solicitations. 

If your business is already registered with BIDNETDIRECT, be sure your contact information and business industry codes are current.  An email notification will be sent to registered businesses when a solicitation that matches your industry code is uploaded.

Click on the (BIDNETDIRECT) VENDOR REGISTRATION link to begin the process.

Click here to download pdf instructions.

Yes. The best way to request this list of past solicitations (prior to August 1, 2024) is to call 770-974-5699 or email purchasing@mariettaga.gov and the assigned buyer associated with the project should respond back. For more information, please visit the 

You can obtain information of past solicitations (prior to August 1, 2024) by clicking here or visit the Purchasing Division at City Hall, call 770-794-5699 or email Purchasing at purchasing@mariettaga.gov

• Look in the Marietta Daily Journal on Friday's legal ad section.
• View current solicitations posted on an electronic platform (BIDNETDIRECT).  Click Here
• For Public Works Transportation Projects, solicitations are also posted in the Georgia State Procurement Registry.  Click Here
• Visit the Purchasing Division located at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St., 1st Floor, Marietta, GA or email at:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov

A city contract is available for inspection by any member of the general public only after it has been awarded. The city cannot release any contract information (except for informal bid tabulations) before a contract has been awarded. The only exception is bid tabulation sheets, which are compiled at the daily bid openings. You may get a copy of the bid tabulation you are interested in by requesting it from the Purchasing Division. Because of the volume of requests, we cannot fax bid tabulations. Please note that these documents are non-binding, pending the outcome of inspection of bids received.

If you would like to inspect a city contract, you must send a letter to Marietta's Purchasing Manager. If you are a member of the news media and would like a copy of a city contract, please request this through our City Clerk's Office. Please provide a bid number and bid description if you have it. You may fax, email or mail the letter to the Purchasing Division.

For more information, please call the Purchasing Division at 770-794-5699 or email at:  purchasing@mariettaga.gov 

Yes, but first someone whose name is on the lease must sign an authorization to enter form so the residence can be inspected by a Code Enforcement officer.

If there are residential/housing code violations in the report the landlord will be granted 60 days to make the necessary repairs. If the violation constitutes an immediate health or safety issue a 72 hour compliance order can be issued.

To review the relevant Marietta City Ordinance, view Article 7-4-2, section 100,

I want to put up a fence on my property; what rules must I observe?

• Only 4-foot tall decorative fences are allowed in the front yard area of any property (some exceptions apply); chain link fences are not allowed.
• Decorative fence materials include wood, brick, stone, wrought iron, split rail, etc.
• The finished side of decorative wood fences must face the exterior.
• Fences cannot be located within 2 feet of a public right-of-way; otherwise, fences are allowed to go up to a property line.

For more information on this topic, view the City Ordinance, Division 710.04 Fences and Walls.

You will receive your tax bill from the City of Marietta Tax Division in August (if you filed a tax return with the County). The taxes are payable at that time and become delinquent 60 days from the date bills are mailed, October 31. If you live in the City, you are on a dual taxing system; therefore, you will receive two separate bills-one from the City, the other from the County. For more information, please call the Tax Manager at 770-794-5680.

No. At this time, there are no commercial water conservation rebates offered, such as for toilets.   Rebates are offered to residential customers for the replacement of high flow toilets. 

There are a number of safety requirements that must be satisfied prior to solar panels being installed at your home/office. For a comprehensive list, please click on the following link to visit the Solar Panel page of our website.

Distributed Generation

Yes. Any time any work is done on a fire protection system in Marietta, a limited work permit must be issued. These permits feature a reduced fee, and only require a scope of work letter to obtain. All applications must be made through SagesGov.

Up to 4 fire alarm initiating and/or notification devices on a system or up to 5 sprinkler add or relocates. Limited work permits are also issued for like for like replacement of sprinklers, alarm devices, or for performing emergency repairs for isolated impairments.  If a system experienced a catastrophic failure a fire safety system construction permit may be required.

1. Up to 5 sprinklers or Up to 4 SLC or NAC appliances – Limited Work Permit

2. 6-20 sprinklers– Permit application and Plans

3. More than 20 sprinklers– full submittal with application, plans, and hydraulic calculations

Visit the State Fire Marshal's Office's website.

Marietta Power and Water offers budget billing where customers can pay the same amount each month for one year and, on their anniversary date a "settle-up' would be performed. Any underpayments would be due and payable and any overpayments would be credited to the account. Please contact our Billing Department for more information.

Visit https://c2g.mariettaga.gov/Click2GovCX/ then click "New User". Input all requested information. Once you've completed the input, you should receive a link via email. Click on the link to enable your user profile, then click "Add Account" to add your service location(s) to your user profile.

Detailed Instructions (PDF)

Once you have created your login profile, you need to add your service account.

Detailed Instructions (PDF)

You can add more than one service account to your profile by selecting Manage Accounts from the menu.

Detailed Instructions (PDF)

The account number, cycle and route numbers are located on your bill. See the About Your Bill page for information

Detailed Information (PDF)

The online wallet is helpful to store frequently used payment methods.

Adding a Payment Method (PDF)

Deleting a Payment Method (PDF)

By enrolling in Auto Pay, your bill will be paid automatically every month using the payment method you choose.

Detailed Instructions (PDF)

Detailed instructions (PDF)

Detailed instructions (PDF)

Detailed instructions (PDF)

Yes, currently there is a $3.25 convenience fee for one-time credit card payments.

Yes, we offer residential rebates. (Link to rebate program)

Please contact Background Investigator Makayla Mason if you wish to verify your application was received.  mmason@mariettaga.gov

Yes, you will receive your salary while in the academy.

Pre-academy, you will typically work Monday through Friday from 0700 - 1500.  This is subject to change depending on the week and your assigned work.  During this phase you will be leaning our departmental policies as well as beginning your law enforcement training. 

During the academy, you will work Monday through Friday from 0800 – 1700 hours for approximately 16 weeks. There may be mandatory weekends during the academy if class time must be made up or scheduling conflicts occur. 

During your (4) Field Training phases, you will complete each phase on one of the three shifts (Days: 0700 – 1500 hours, Evenings: 1500 – 2300 hours, Mornings: 2300 – 0700 hours).  The first year of employment, your schedule is subject to change at any time to meet training requirements.

Marietta Police Department currently uses three reginal Georgia Law Enforcement Academies:

1. GPSTC Metro, located in Austell, Georgia

2. GPSTC Alpharetta, located in Alpharetta, Georgia

3. GPSTC Rome, located in Rome, Georgia

The academy you will attend is based on availability and timing related to your hire date.

All officers have take-home cars/SUVs at completion of probation.

The hiring process is the same for all candidates, however remote candidates are scheduled differently in order to reduce the number of trips required.  Several of the steps can be completed online before the applicant must appear in person.  This would all need to be coordinated in advance with the background investigator, Makayla Mason.  Please email her for more information: mmason@mariettaga.gov

As long as you meet the basic requirements, you may take the entrance examination once each application period.

As part of its application process for the position of Firefighter/AEMT, the City of Marietta does require a polygraph test.

Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT for the City of Marietta must be 18 years old at date of hire.

Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT for the City of Marietta must have a high school diploma or GED certificate.

A college degree is not required to apply for the position of Firefighter/AEMT for the City of Marietta; however, college course work in fire science, fire technology or public administration can improve your performance on the written test and in the oral interview, and may serve you well in future promotional assessments.

The City of Marietta does not require either certification at the time of application.

Yes.

Yes, you must obtain and maintain a valid State of Georgia driver's license.

No. Even if a person has prior fire experience, such as a lateral applicant, he/she will still have to attend a limited academy.

The recruiting/application period can last up to 3 months. MFD’s Fire Training Academy lasts 24 weeks, and includes EMT/AEMT training, which lasts 14 weeks.

The City of Marietta traditionally opens the application period as staffing dictates.

If you are unable to find the information you seek on this site, you may phone our Human Resources Department at 770-794-5562.

Yes.  Firefighters that participate in City insurance have access to the employee medical clinic on or off duty at no charge.

It is the decision of the company officer to determine the availability of time for his or her crew to perform physical fitness training. Each station is equipped with a variety of fitness equipment that will support a number of different types of fitness training.

The fire suppression staff is scheduled for duty from 0800 to 0800 and works a 24-hour on/48-hour off schedule. The Administration, Training, and Fire Marshal’s Office work a 40-hour work week.

Throughout their shift crews will test hydrants, hoses, do preplans and business inspections in their first-due territory. All activities originate from the crew's station, and crewmembers remain there until their shift is complete at 0800 hours.

Firefighters are responsible for providing their own meals while on duty. All Marietta firestations have a kitchen with the usual appliances, so many crews plan meals together and pitch in money for group meals.

The men and women assigned to suppression have semi-private or private sleeping accommodations at their assigned station. Firefighters are responsible for providing and maintaining sleeping linens. There are strict rules that regulate where and when Firefighters may sleep.

All Marietta fire stations have a washer and dryer for personnel to launder station uniforms and workout gear. Additionally, Firefighters have access to a commercial washer and dryer to decontaminate soiled bunker gear.

A permit is required whenever an owner or contractor intends to: construct new, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish a building or structure, or install or alter any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system. In addition, utility construction and site development also require permits. Examples include:

• Decks (new, repair, or replace)
• Water heater replacement
• New window installation
• Change of occupancy
• New HVAC system (partial or whole)
• Outdoor accessory structures

Although fence construction is exempt, Planning and Zoning has specific requirements for height, location, and configuration. Access guidelines for fence construction.

Permit Fee Schedule

Residential

• $4 per $1000 of total construction costs (labor + materials) 
• $50 base fee 
• No plan review fee 

Commercial / Institutional (Based on Cost of Construction)

• $250K or less: $3 per $1000 of total construction costs (labor + materials) 
  • $50 base fee 
  • Plan review fee*
• $250K or greater: $5 per $1000 of total construction costs (labor + materials) 
  • $50 base fee 
  • Plan review fee
    

Plan Review Fee Schedule

• Commercial Building Plan Review Fee- Under 250K= $125 Flat Rate
• Commercial Building Plan Review Fee- $250,001 up to $500k= $250 Flat Rate
• Commercial Building Plan Review Fee- $500,001 up to $1 Million= $500 Flat Rate
• Commercial Building Plan Review Fee- $1 Million and over= $1,000 Flat Rate

A homeowner can be their own Building Contractor if they meet conditions set forth in O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(h). These conditions are listed on the Homeowner Affidavit required to be notarized and submitted with permit application.

See a copy of the affidavit (PDF).

All permitting is done online using SAGES software.

Register and create account.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs regulates codes currently mandated.

Access the codes.

Documents required are determined by project being either residential or commercial, interior only or exterior, general contractor or homeowner as contractor.

Residential – General Contractor (GC) – Documents required

• Copy of GC's state license
• Copy of GC's business license
• Photocopy of GC's driver's license
• Construction plans - Plans should include a detailed scope of work and provide a scaled, dimensional drawing depicting existing and proposed floorplans, denote function of all rooms, provide specific measurements for footings and framing when applicable, and bear the name of the individual who created the plans. The State of Georgia does not require stamped plans for residential structures, however the addition or subtraction of loads to an existing structure and/or any engineered design will require a design professional.
• Site Plan (Required for any exterior work with land disturbance) The site plan is an overhead two- dimensional view of the property showing all existing structures as well as proposed work. The plan should include the distances of proposed work to lot-lines. When the proposed work is within 10' of the property line, or in close proximity to set-back lines designated by a variance, a professional survey may be required before beginning construction.

Residential – Homeowner Permit – Documents required

• Copy of notarized Property Owner's Affidavit (PDF)
• Copy of recent utility bill or deed proving ownership
• Photocopy of applicant's driver's license
• Construction plans – (see above)
• Site Plan – (If applicable – see above)

Commercial

• Copy of GC's state license
• Copy of GC's business license
• Photocopy of GC's driver's license
• Copy of completed, notarized Authorized Permit Agent Form (If applicant is not GC)
• Construction plans – Plans meeting any of the criteria below will require sealed plans from a registered, licensed architect:

1. Project is greater than 5000 sq. ft. in area or located in a building greater than 5000 sq. ft.
2. Project is more than one story in height
3. Any Group A, E, or I occupancies

• Site Plan – Commercial projects involving land disturbance will require a site plan prepared by a registered, licensed design professional

No. The General Contractor's (GC) license information is required for the application.

Yes. A notarized Authorized Permit Agent Form completed and signed by the contractor, accompanied by photocopies of both the contractor's and the applicant's driver's license, will be accepted. See a copy of an Authorized Permit Agent Form (PDF).

The City of Marietta can perform 'stand-alone' MEP inspections such as water heaters and HVAC changeouts in occupied homes by way of the Cisco Webex cell phone application. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to ensure installers have this capability. When the inspection is needed, contractor will call main number, 770-794-5659, Option 8 to request inspection. Contractor should be ready to provide name, phone number, address, and permit number. An assigned inspector will then video-call the on-site installer to perform inspection.

Note this is a 'same day' inspection – scheduled orally by the permittee or the permittee's agent (installer) and subject to all City of Marietta rules and regulations.

Please see more information regarding our Virtual and Video inspections.