Trailer classrooms in Dunwoody lack proper permits

City council hopes to streamline inspection process.

A permitting snafu has resulted in DeKalb County students taking classes in structures not properly permitted. No certificates of occupancy have been issued for recently installed portable classrooms in Dunwoody, officials said.

Dunwoody’s City Council approved an agreement Monday with the DeKalb County School District that seeks to streamline the method through which district structures are permitted for use.

“There’s been a lot of work to have these facilities inspected,” Dunwoody spokesman Bob Mullen said Tuesday. “Historically, the city has worked with the county and participated in the review process.

“In terms of numbers, I don’t know which (portable classrooms) have and which have not (been inspected).”

Dunwoody resident Rick Callihan said he became aware of an issue with the portable classrooms’ occupancy permits when he noticed a new trailer at Dunwoody High School recently.

DeKalb County Fire Marshal Joseph Cox, in responding to an email Callihan sent about the permit process, said all portable classrooms have been inspected by DeKalb County Fire Rescue. But, he added, none of the district’s portable classrooms placed in Dunwoody since 2015 have certificate of occupancy permits.

DeKalb County School District officials said portable classrooms placed in the previous three years were approved for occupancy.

In Georgia, portable classrooms are required to be constructed according to commercial building codes. Once they are placed, they are then to be inspected to make sure they comply with occupancy rules.

District spokesman Andre Riley said 33 portable trailers housing 48 classrooms are being used at schools in Dunwoody.