Are you seeing “Marietta” on a listing and wondering if that means you’ll pay City of Marietta taxes or get city services? You’re not alone. Many East Cobb homes use a Marietta mailing address even though they sit in unincorporated Cobb County. That difference can affect your budget, permits, trash pickup, school district, and who shows up when you dial 911.
In this guide, you’ll learn how Marietta city limits and unincorporated East Cobb differ, why postal addresses can be misleading, and how to verify the jurisdiction for any property. You’ll also get a simple checklist to confirm services, taxes, and schools before you make an offer. Let’s dive in.
What actually determines your services
The line that matters is the legal city limit, not the postal city on your address. If a property is inside the City of Marietta, the city provides many core services and adds a municipal property tax millage. If it is in unincorporated East Cobb, Cobb County provides those services and city taxes generally do not apply.
The U.S. Postal Service sets mailing city names and ZIP codes for routing mail. Those postal labels often cross municipal boundaries. That’s why a home can have a “Marietta” mailing address and still be in unincorporated Cobb County with county services and county school assignments.
City vs. county services at a glance
Police, fire, and 911
Inside Marietta city limits, the Marietta Police Department and city fire/EMS typically respond. In unincorporated East Cobb, county police and county fire/EMS serve your address. You still dial 911, but the responding agency and some local ordinances can differ by jurisdiction.
Water, sewer, and stormwater
City properties are generally served and billed by the city’s water/sewer department or a city-contracted authority. In East Cobb, service typically comes from the county water system or, in some cases, a private or HOA-managed system. Stormwater management and drainage rules are enforced by the city inside city limits and by the county in unincorporated areas. Rates, tap fees, and septic vs. sewer availability can vary.
Trash, recycling, and yard debris
Some cities arrange municipal curbside pickup. In unincorporated areas, residents often choose from private haulers or use county programs. Marietta city addresses may have designated providers, while East Cobb addresses often rely on private contracts. Always confirm by address.
Roads, sidewalks, and lights
The city maintains streets, sidewalks, signage, and streetlights inside its boundaries. Cobb County maintains these in unincorporated areas. That can affect maintenance priorities and permits for driveway cuts or right-of-way work.
Zoning and permits
If the parcel is inside Marietta, the city handles building permits, inspections, zoning, and sign permits. If it’s in unincorporated East Cobb, Cobb County Development Services is your point of contact. Fees, setbacks, allowable uses, and accessory structures can differ. Historic districts or overlays may apply within the city.
Schools and districts
School assignments follow school district boundaries, not postal city names. Marietta has the separate Marietta City Schools system. Much of East Cobb is served by the Cobb County School District. School tax rates and assignments can be different even if two homes are only a few streets apart. Always verify for the exact address.
Business licensing and rules
Businesses in the city generally need a city business license and must follow city ordinances. In unincorporated areas, licensing goes through the county and county zoning rules apply.
Annexation and boundary changes
Cities can annex nearby unincorporated land under state law. Annexation changes who provides services and which taxes and codes apply. If annexation is proposed near a property, review current maps and public notices.
Taxes and fees: what to expect
Property taxes
Georgia property tax bills typically combine multiple millages: county, school district, and, if inside a city, municipal millage. Special districts can add more. A home inside Marietta usually pays a city millage on top of county and school millage. A comparable home in unincorporated East Cobb generally does not pay a city millage, but will pay county and school millage. Because school millage varies by district, total bills can differ more than you might expect.
Millage rates change annually, so get current figures from the Cobb County Tax Commissioner and school district budgets when you estimate taxes for a specific address.
Sales taxes and special local taxes
Georgia’s state sales tax is combined with county-level local option taxes. Within a single county, city boundaries rarely change your sales tax rate at the register. However, local special taxes and SPLOST funding affect how projects are paid for. Confirm current county rates when budgeting.
Utility rates and permits
Water and sewer rates, tap fees, impact fees, and permit fee schedules vary between the city and county. If you plan a remodel, accessory building, pool, or a new connection to water or sewer, check which jurisdiction issues the permit and what fee schedule applies.
Insurance and lending
Insurance carriers consider fire protection, hydrant proximity, building codes, and local risk data. Those factors can vary by jurisdiction and may affect premiums. Lenders escrow property taxes and need accurate jurisdiction information for tax payments, so you should confirm it early in your process.
Why East Cobb homes use “Marietta” addresses
The Postal Service assigns ZIP codes and “preferred” city names for efficient mail delivery. Those postal names are not legal boundaries. Many East Cobb ZIP codes use “Marietta” as the postal city because of historical routing and post office locations.
That’s fine for mail and packages. It does not control zoning, taxes, police or fire response, permits, or school assignment. For anything legal or financial, county parcel records and tax data determine jurisdiction.
How to verify jurisdiction for any address
Use this quick, practical checklist to get clarity before you write an offer or plan a project.
- Look up the parcel in the Cobb County GIS/parcel viewer and the Cobb County Tax Commissioner’s property search to confirm if it is inside the City of Marietta or in unincorporated Cobb County.
- Call the City of Marietta Planning & Zoning or Cobb County Development Services to confirm who issues permits for that address.
- Check school assignment using Marietta City Schools and Cobb County School District boundary tools.
- Use the USPS ZIP Code lookup only to confirm mailing city and ZIP for mail, not for legal jurisdiction.
Questions to ask the listing agent or seller:
- Which jurisdiction is the property in: City of Marietta or unincorporated Cobb County?
- Which police, fire, and EMS agencies serve the address? Are there any special fire districts or assessments?
- Who provides water, sewer, and stormwater service? Are there tap, connection, or availability fees? Is the property on septic?
- What are the current property tax amounts and components? Request the most recent tax bill.
- Is the property subject to city or county zoning? Are there any pending annexation proposals?
- Which school district serves the address?
Documents and contacts to verify:
- Cobb County Tax Commissioner property tax bill and GIS parcel record
- City of Marietta planning/building permit office for permit authority and history
- Cobb County Development Services/Permitting for unincorporated addresses
- Marietta City Schools and Cobb County School District enrollment offices for assignments
- USPS ZIP Code lookup for mailing city and ZIP only
- Local water/sewer provider: City of Marietta Water Department or Cobb County Water System, based on location
Real-world scenarios to watch
- Listing shows a “Marietta” mailing address but the parcel is in unincorporated East Cobb. Your services, taxes, and permits will be county-based, and schools will follow county district boundaries.
- Smaller city lot with municipal water and sewer inside Marietta. Tap, sewer availability, and stormwater requirements may differ from an East Cobb lot that uses county water or a septic system.
- Pending annexation near a neighborhood. If annexation moves forward, taxes, service providers, and permit authority may change. Monitor city and county notices.
These examples are common. Always verify details for the specific property so you can plan your budget and timeline with confidence.
Daily life and budget impact
Your jurisdiction shapes day-to-day living in practical ways. Trash and recycling schedules, which office you call for a sidewalk repair, how you pull a building permit, and which school district you pay taxes to are all tied to city limits vs. unincorporated county. For relocating professionals, the difference can influence commute routes, remodeling plans, monthly utility costs, and long-term ownership expenses.
The quick takeaway: jurisdiction, not mailing city, determines your services, taxes, and rules. Confirm it early and you’ll avoid surprises later.
Ready to make a confident move in Marietta or East Cobb? If you want a clear plan for verifying jurisdiction, evaluating taxes and fees, and aligning the right neighborhood with your goals, let’s connect. With 30+ years of local experience guiding relocating buyers and sellers, Patty Salerno will help you compare homes apples-to-apples and move forward with clarity.
FAQs
Does a Marietta mailing address mean I pay city taxes?
- No. Mailing city names are for USPS routing. Property taxes depend on whether the parcel is inside Marietta city limits or unincorporated Cobb County.
Who responds to 911 in East Cobb vs. Marietta city?
- Inside Marietta, the city’s police and fire/EMS typically respond. In unincorporated East Cobb, county police and county fire/EMS are the primary responders.
Who issues building permits for my project?
- The City of Marietta handles permits inside city limits. Cobb County Development Services handles permits in unincorporated East Cobb.
How do schools differ between Marietta and East Cobb?
- School assignments follow district boundaries, not postal city. Marietta has a separate city school district, while much of East Cobb is served by Cobb County Schools. Always confirm by address.
Why do East Cobb homes use “Marietta” in the address?
- USPS assigns preferred city names for ZIP codes to route mail efficiently. Those postal names often cross city boundaries and do not indicate legal jurisdiction.
