Plumbers in Brookhaven, GA

Does a water heater need a permit here?

Yes. Brookhaven's permit FAQ says replacing a water heater requires a permit and inspections under the plumbing and gas codes, and a state license if a tradesperson does the work. Swapping a fixture in the same spot does not need one, but any change to plumbing lines does. Permits, payments and inspection requests run through the city's online portal; the city's main line is 404-637-0500.

What the city can and cannot touch

Brookhaven was incorporated on December 17, 2012, but it never took over water or sewer. DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management owns the mains, service laterals, valves, hydrants and meters, and the city cannot repair or replace any of them. Water is drawn from the Chattahoochee River upstream of Atlanta and treated at DeKalb's Scott Candler plant. Leaks in the street and sewer spills go to DeKalb at 770-270-6243.

DeKalb is responsible from the main through the meter; the owner handles the line from the meter to the house. The county's inventory found no known lead pipes in the county-owned system, but it lists the material of private, customer-side lines as unknown and asks owners to identify theirs.

Old Brookhaven and new Brookhaven

Brookhaven lies directly northeast of Atlanta along Peachtree Road, about 9 miles from downtown, and had 55,161 residents in 2020. The housing ranges widely. The median year built is 1994, yet roughly 30% of units predate 1980, including nearly 9% from the 1950s, concentrated in places like Historic Brookhaven and Lynwood Park. Those houses are where cast iron drains, aging sewer laterals and older supply piping come up. Along Buford Highway and in newer mixed-use areas such as Town Brookhaven, calls lean toward water heaters and fixtures.

Irrigation backflow

Homes with a separate irrigation tap need a backflow prevention assembly tested every year, with certified reports sent to DeKalb. The county keeps no approved-tester list; testers need a state credential or accreditation through a recognized program such as GAWP's GBPAT list. Questions go to DeKalbBackflow@dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-687-4075.

Gas and calling for help

Atlanta Gas Light delivers natural gas in Brookhaven; marketers such as Georgia Natural Gas and Gas South sell it. If you smell gas, leave the area, then call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321. Next door to Atlanta, the difference comes down to DeKalb water and sewer and a Brookhaven permit office. Call the number on this page, and you'll be connected with an independent plumber who works in Brookhaven.