Bolthole Index

Cherokee County, Georgia

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Mountain Park, GA

Mountain Park, Georgia requires a city building permit before covered construction, excavation, moving, alteration or repair begins.1 The city applies its own land-use standards, while a septic project needs approval from the health department for the county containing the parcel before the city issues its building permit.23

At a glance

Building permit
Required before covered construction, excavation, moving, alteration or repair1
Zoning
Mountain Park applies municipal land-use and residential development standards2
Septic
A paid current septic permit and county health approval are required for a septic-lot building application43
Minimum home size
1,350 square feet of heated living space for newly constructed residences5
Minimum lot size
12,500 square feet generally; 33,750 square feet for property using septic67
Manufactured homes
Prohibited, with an exception for qualifying residential industrialized buildings8
Owner-builder
A qualifying owner-occupant may apply, but city permits and codes still apply910

Who to call

Building permits

City of Mountain Park City Hall

Mountain Park building-permit applications, permit questions and project review

770-993-4231

118 Lakeshore Drive, Mountain Park, GA 30075

Septic permits

Cherokee County Environmental Health (North Georgia Health District)

Onsite sewage permits, site evaluations and inspections for Mountain Park parcels in Cherokee County

770-479-0444

1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton, GA 30114

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Mountain Park means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Mountain Park, Georgia?

Yes. Mountain Park requires a city-issued building permit before excavation for a building or accessory structure, construction, storage of building materials, erection of temporary field offices, moving, alteration or repair begins.1 The city's residential code also covers building, mechanical and gas systems in new one- and two-family dwellings and in additions, alterations, renovations and general repairs.11

The city identifies some narrower maintenance work that generally does not need a building permit, while new driveways or driveway additions involving land disturbance do.12 Because the dividing line depends on the scope of work, describe the full project to City Hall before beginning.10

Who issues building permits in Mountain Park?

Mountain Park City Hall is the first stop for a building permit in the city.10 Applications may be made through the city clerk, and the required supporting documents and approval sequence are set out in the city's building and development permit process.13 Call City Hall at 770-993-4231 or visit 118 Lakeshore Drive, Mountain Park, GA 30075 with project-specific questions.10

Permitted construction proceeds through successive inspections, and work may not advance past an inspection point until the inspector approves it.14 The permit card and sign-off sheet must remain at the jobsite until the Building Official issues a certificate of occupancy or completion.15 Georgia's owner-builder license exemption does not waive Mountain Park's building permit, code, zoning or inspection requirements.9

Does Mountain Park have zoning and land-use rules?

Mountain Park applies municipal land-use rules to property inside the city, including residential dimensional standards.2 A newly constructed residence generally needs at least 12,500 square feet of land and at least 100 feet of road frontage.6 If the property requires or will use a septic tank, the minimum increases to 33,750 square feet, with at least 100 feet of road frontage.7

New residential buildings must contain at least 1,350 square feet of heated living space, and residential or accessory structures may not exceed 35 feet in height.516 Numeric setbacks were not confirmed in the available city material, so ask City Hall to identify the setback lines and any parcel-specific conditions before finalizing a site plan.

How do septic permits work inside Mountain Park?

For construction on a septic lot, Mountain Park requires a current septic permit for the property, paid in full, before city plan approval or building-permit issuance.4 The application is also subject to county health department approval.3 For a Mountain Park parcel in Cherokee County, contact Cherokee County Environmental Health at 770-479-0444 before designing the house or closing on the land.17

Georgia requires a construction permit for a new onsite sewage system and for repairs, replacements or additions, and the County Board of Health must find the site suitable before issuing that permit.18 Cherokee County soil data rates only 13.4% of soils as free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so a parcel evaluation matters more than the countywide figure.19

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Mountain Park?

We could not confirm a general Mountain Park rule allowing an RV to be occupied as a dwelling on private property, so ask City Hall before planning to live in one. The confirmed floodplain rule only says that an RV placed in the future-conditions floodplain must either stay fewer than 180 consecutive days while fully licensed and ready for highway use, or meet the residential substantial-improvement standards.20 That floodplain option is not a citywide permission to occupy an RV.

Mountain Park does not provide a separate tiny-home answer in the reviewed material, but a newly constructed residence must contain at least 1,350 square feet of heated living space.5 Mobile and manufactured homes are prohibited, except for qualifying residential industrialized buildings that follow the same requirements as site-built single-family homes.8 Accessory structures cannot contain living space.21

Building a home in Mountain Park: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Mountain Park City Hall to confirm the parcel's land-use status, setbacks and applicable site-plan requirements.102
  2. Determine whether the property will use sewer or septic; for a septic lot, obtain the county health department's approval and a paid current septic permit.34
  3. Prepare the required plans and supporting documents, then submit the complete application through City Hall.13
  4. Do not begin covered excavation, construction, moving, alteration or repair until Mountain Park issues the building permit.1
  5. Request each required inspection and do not advance beyond an inspection point until the work is approved.14
  6. Keep the permit documents posted until the Building Official issues the certificate of occupancy or completion.15

What should you check before buying land in Mountain Park?

Confirm which county contains the parcel before ordering health, tax or record work, then verify Mountain Park's land-use requirements with City Hall.10 For a Cherokee County septic parcel, contact Cherokee County Environmental Health before closing; the city's larger septic-lot standard and required health approval can determine whether a proposed house fits.177

Check floodplain status early because qualifying new residential construction in the future-conditions floodplain must elevate the lowest floor at least 3 feet above base-flood elevation or 1 foot above future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher.22 Confirm driveway design too, because new driveways and additions involving land disturbance require city approval.12 Mountain Park's private-well requirements and public-water or sewer connection threshold could not be confirmed; ask City Hall and the applicable county health office for the exact address.

Watch-outs

  • A newly constructed Mountain Park residence must contain at least 1,350 square feet of heated living space, so a smaller tiny-home design does not meet the confirmed minimum.5
  • A septic-served residential lot has a 33,750-square-foot minimum and needs at least 100 feet of road frontage.7
  • Mountain Park prohibits mobile and manufactured homes, except qualifying residential industrialized buildings built under the requirements for site-built single-family homes.8

Sources

  1. Sec. 117-14. Building permit required (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  2. Sec. 117-6. Building and lot size (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  3. Sec. 117-15. Approval of plans and issuance of building permit (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sec. 117-15. Approval of plans and issuance of building permit (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  5. Mountain Park Code § 117-6, Building and lot size (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  6. Sec. 117-6. Building and lot size (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sec. 117-6. Building and lot size (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  8. Mountain Park Code § 117-28, Mobile and manufactured homes prohibited (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  9. Residential and Commercial General Contractors Frequently Asked Questions (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. City of Mountain Park City Hall (mountainparkgov.com)
  11. Mountain Park Code of Ordinances, § 101-3—Scope (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Permits (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  13. Mountain Park Code of Ordinances, § 117-14—Building permit required (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  14. Required Inspections (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  15. Required Inspections (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  16. Mountain Park Code § 117-6, Building and lot size (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  17. Cherokee County Environmental Health (North Georgia Health District) (nghd.org)
  18. Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Mountain Park Code § 109-62, Building standards for structures and buildings within the future-conditions floodplain (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  21. Mountain Park Code § 117-12, Structures (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked
  22. Sec. 109-62. Building standards for structures and buildings within the future-conditions floodplain (Mountain Park), quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Mountain Park

Mountain Park’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, excavation, storage of building materials, temporary field offices or structures, moving, alteration, or repair of buildings and accessory structures inside Mountain Park.

    • A building permit must be issued before the listed work begins.
    • The city code says the application process and supporting documentation are defined by the Process for Obtaining a Building/Development Permit.
    • The city webpage states that ground disturbance of less than 250 square feet generally does not require a permit and that many minor repairs and maintenance activities do not require one.
    “It shall be unlawful to commence the excavation for the construction of any building or other structure, including accessory structures, or to store building materials, or erect temporary field offices or structures, or to commence the moving, alteration, or repair of any structure, including accessory structure, until the city has issued for such work a building permit.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction, excavation, storage of building materials, temporary field offices, moving, alteration, repair, and accessory structures inside Mountain Park city limits.
      “It shall be unlawful to commence the excavation for the construction of any building or other structure, including accessory structures, or to store building materials, or erect temporary field offices or structures, or to commence the moving, alteration, or repair of any structure, including accessory structure, until the city has issued for such work a building permit.”
    • Required — Construction, excavation, storage of building materials, temporary field offices or structures, moving, alteration, or repair of structures inside Mountain Park city.
      “It shall be unlawful to commence the excavation for the construction of any building or other structure, including accessory structures, or to store building materials, or erect temporary field offices or structures, or to commence the moving, alteration, or repair of any structure, including accessory structure, until the city has issued for such work a building permit.”
    • Required — Excavation, construction, moving, alteration, or repair of a building or structure inside Mountain Park city limits.
      “It shall be unlawful to commence the excavation for the construction of any building or other structure, including accessory structures, or to store building materials, or erect temporary field offices or structures, or to commence the moving, alteration, or repair of any structure, including accessory structure, until the city has issued for such work a building permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction within Mountain Park city limits, including new one- and two-family dwellings and their listed work.

    • For one- and two-family dwellings, the International Residential Code applies as adopted and amended by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
    • The cited provision also covers building, mechanical, and gas systems, including additions, alterations, renovations, and general repairs.
    “The provisions of the International Residential Code, as adopted and amended by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, shall apply to the building, mechanical, and gas systems in new one-and two-family dwellings, including additions, alterations, renovations and general repairs of existing one- and two-family dwellings.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Mountain Park city.

    • The permit holder or agent must notify the city when the site is ready.
    • Work may not proceed beyond each successive inspection point until approved.
    • The listed inspection sequence includes arborist, site, foundation, underground, slab, framing/rough, insulation, final building/mechanical/site, and final arborist inspections where applicable.
    • The source states that structures will not be inspected until required permits are approved.
    “It shall be the duty of the permit holder or their agent to notify the City that the site is ready for an inspection for the following required inspections. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection until inspector has approved such work.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Permitted construction inside Mountain Park city before immediate occupancy or completion closeout.

    • The final building, mechanical and site inspection is required after the building is complete, the site stabilized, and the site is ready for immediate occupancy.
    • The permit card and sign-off sheet must remain on the jobsite until a certificate of occupancy or completion is issued by the Building Official.
    • The available procedure permits either a certificate of occupancy or completion, so the exact document depends on the project.
    “Permit card and sign off sheet must be posted on jobsite in a weather-tight permit box and must remain on jobsite until a certificate of occupancy or completion is issued by the Building Official”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside the corporate limits of Mountain Park city; the city code regulates residential land use and development through city-enforced land-use provisions and residential-district rules.

    • Mountain Park's code imposes residential dimensional standards, including minimum heated living space, minimum lot area, and road-frontage requirements.
    • Construction, alteration, repair, or moving of structures requires a city-issued building permit before work begins.
    • The cited provisions do not identify a separate named single-family or agricultural zoning district schedule; district-specific classifications should be confirmed from the complete code and zoning map.
    “Home occupations, as defined in section 14-31 may be established in a dwelling in a residential district. The following requirements and restrictions shall apply in addition to all other applicable requirements, provisions and restrictions of the Code of the City of Mountain Park, Georgia:”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present — Land inside Mountain Park city limits; the city code contains Chapter 117, Land Use, including residential development regulations.
      “All residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed shall have a minimum of 1,350 square feet of heated living space.”
    • Present — Land inside Mountain Park city limits; the city code contains Chapter 117 Land Use controls and refers to residential districts.
      “The city is almost entirely zoned for residential or greenspace uses, with the primary factor that determines development capacity being whether a lot is connected to sewer or septic tank.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Residential land-use districts inside Mountain Park city.

    • Official city code provisions refer to residential districts and regulate land use, but the fetched sections did not provide a complete district list or zoning map.
    • No agricultural or rural-residential district was identified in the reviewed sections.
    “The city is almost entirely zoned for residential or greenspace uses, with the primary factor that determines development capacity being whether a lot is connected to sewer or septic tank.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Residential land-use regulation inside Mountain Park city limits.
      “Home occupations, as defined in section 14-31 may be established in a dwelling in a residential district.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    All residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed inside Mountain Park city; no separate district schedule was located.

    • Minimum heated living space is 1,350 square feet.

    minimum heated living space: >= 1350 square feet

    “All residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed shall have a minimum of 1,350 square feet of heated living space.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Residential structures and buildings constructed inside Mountain Park city limits.
      “All residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed shall have a minimum of 1,350 square feet of heated living space.”
    • Specified — All residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed inside Mountain Park city limits.
      “All residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed shall have a minimum of 1,350 square feet of heated living space.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed inside Mountain Park city.

    • Minimum land area is 12,500 square feet.
    • Road frontage must be at least 100 feet.
    • If septic tanks are required or used, the larger septic-lot standard applies.

    minimum lot area: >= 12500 square feet (Except where otherwise provided; septic lots use the separate standard.) · minimum road frontage: >= 100 feet

    “Except as otherwise provided, all residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed shall be located on a land area of not less than 12,500 square feet, possessing road frontage of not less than 100 feet.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Residential property inside Mountain Park city that requires or will use septic tanks.
      “All residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed on property that requires or will use septic tanks shall be not less than 33,750 square feet, possessing road frontage of not less than 100 feet.”
    • Specified — Residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed on land inside Mountain Park city, except where another provision applies.
      “Except as otherwise provided, all residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed shall be located on a land area of not less than 12,500 square feet, possessing road frontage of not less than 100 feet.”
    • Specified — Residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed on property inside Mountain Park city that requires or will use septic tanks.
      “All residential structures and buildings hereafter constructed on property that requires or will use septic tanks shall be not less than 33,750 square feet, possessing road frontage of not less than 100 feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential or accessory structures inside Mountain Park city limits.

    • Height is measured from the highest point of the structure, excluding chimneys and television or radio signal receiving antennae, to the average finished grade on all sides at certificate-of-occupancy issuance.
    • Later grade modifications that cause the structure to exceed 35 feet are prohibited.

    maximum structure height: <= 35 feet (Chimneys and television or radio signal receiving antennae are excluded from the highest point.)

    “All residential or accessory structures hereafter constructed, or renovation of any existing structure, shall not exceed 35 feet in height.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Residential and accessory structures inside Mountain Park.
      “All residential or accessory structures hereafter constructed, or renovation of any existing structure, shall not exceed 35 feet in height.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Mountain Park's future-conditions floodplain.

    • The recreational vehicle must either be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days and be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or meet all requirements for residential-building substantial improvements.
    • Separately, functional recreational vehicles may be parked in side and rear yards, while front-yard parking requires a city-council special permit.

    maximum site duration under floodplain alternative: < 180 consecutive days (The alternative is to meet residential-building substantial-improvement requirements.)

    “All recreational vehicles placed on sites must either: (1) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days and be fully licensed and ready for highway use”
  • Manufactured homesProhibited

    Mobile and manufactured homes on any property inside Mountain Park city.

    • The prohibition applies for residential or any other purpose or use.
    • Residential industrialized buildings are excluded and may be built subject to the same requirements as site-built single-family residential structures.
    “No mobile home or manufactured home shall be permitted, located or installed on any property in the City of Mountain Park, either for residential purposes or for any other purpose or use. This prohibition does not apply to residential industrialized buildings, which may be built subject to the same requirements as site-built, single-family residential structures under the ordinances of the city.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Accessory dwellingsProhibited

    Accessory structures on residential lots inside Mountain Park city limits.

    • The chapter intends one main structure plus permitted accessory structures per residential lot.
    • Accessory structures may not include living space.
    “It is the intent of this chapter that there shall be but one main structure plus any permitted accessory structures on any lot used for residential purposes; also, that accessory structures shall not include living space.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Prohibited — Living space in accessory structures on residential lots inside Mountain Park.
      “It is the intent of this chapter that there shall be but one main structure plus any permitted accessory structures on any lot used for residential purposes; also, that accessory structures shall not include living space.”
    • Prohibited — Accessory dwelling units or other living space in accessory structures on residential lots inside Mountain Park city limits.
      “there shall be but one main structure plus any permitted accessory structures on any lot used for residential purposes; also, that accessory structures shall not include living space.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Septic-served property inside Mountain Park city limits.

    • The city requires a current sewer or septic permit for the application property.
    • The cited section also refers to county health department approval for construction on a septic lot.
    “and will be subject to the requirements defined in the attachment including approval from the county health department if obtaining a permit for construction on a septic lot.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Building-permit applications for construction or development on a Mountain Park property using septic service.

    • The application must include a current sewer or septic permit issued for the application property and paid in full.
    • This source does not identify the external governmental issuer of a septic permit.
    “A current sewer or septic permit issued for the application property paid in full;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Development applications inside Mountain Park city limits proposing septic rather than sewer service.

    • A current septic permit for the application property must be issued and paid in full when submitted as the sewer-or-septic permit required with the application.
    • This finding does not establish the septic-permit issuer or a general exemption from public-sewer connection.
    “A current sewer or septic permit issued for the application property paid in full;”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New construction inside Mountain Park city.

    • The city plan-approval materials require either a current sewer permit or a current septic permit for the application property.
    • The cited provisions do not establish a universal distance or availability threshold requiring connection to public water or sewer.
    “A current sewer or septic permit issued for the application property paid in full”
  • Subdividing landLimited

    Contiguous lots used to satisfy the minimum lot size for a single-family residence inside Mountain Park city limits.

    • Lots needed to meet the applicable minimum lot size must be combined before issuance of the building permit.
    • Combination requires recording a deed and plat in the county public deed records and filing with county property-tax authorities.
    • The combined lot may not later be subdivided in a way that reduces the residence lot below the applicable minimum lot size.
    “The combined lot shall not thereafter be subdivided in a manner that reduces the area of the lot on which the residence is located below the applicable minimum lot size.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    New construction and development-permit applications inside Mountain Park city limits.

    • Plans must show parking and driveway locations and must include the location of driveways and curb cuts in the integrated site plan.
    • The opened material does not establish a separate numerical driveway-width or access-approval standard.
    “An integrated site plan showing [...] the approximate location of all structures, driveways and curb cuts, and proposed tree planting and other landscaping;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — New driveways or driveway additions involving land disturbance inside Mountain Park.
      “New driveways or driveway additions involving land disturbance”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction and substantial improvements in Mountain Park future-conditions floodplain or other special flood hazard areas.

    • Residential new construction in the future-conditions floodplain requires compliance with sections 109-53, 109-54, and 109-55.
    • If approved, the lowest floor must be elevated at least three feet above base flood elevation or one foot above future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher.
    • Recreational vehicles and manufactured homes have additional floodplain standards.

    residential elevation above base flood elevation: >= 3 feet (Alternatively one foot above future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher.)

    “If all of the requirements of sections 109-53, 109-54 and 109-55 have been met, all new construction shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than three feet above the base flood elevation or one foot above the future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Mechanical/trade permits inside Mountain Park.

    • The cited city page identifies the mechanical/trade permit fee as $175.
    • Other building, review, arborist, or development fees may be separately applicable.

    mechanical/trade permit fee: 175 USD

    “The fee is $175.00. The purpose of this requirement is to provide for the administration and enforcement of the Georgia State Minimum Standards Codes.”
  • Permit processPartial

    New construction and development-permit applications inside Mountain Park city limits.

    • Plans must be reviewed in detail and conform to the city's Process for Obtaining a Building/Development Permit.
    • That attachment is on file with the city clerk and is not set out in the codification.
    • Listed application material includes a paid current sewer or septic permit; other listed plans, tax confirmation, and erosion-control information apply.
    “Application for a building permit may be made through the city clerk. The process for making application, the required supporting documentation and the approval process is defined by the attachment titled, Process for Obtaining a Building/Development Permit in the City of Mountain Park.”

Rules another office applies inside Mountain Park

Mountain Park does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New or modified onsite sewage management systems inside Mountain Park city limits.

    • Georgia DPH states that onsite sewage systems must be inspected before operation.
    • Fulton County Board of Health EHS performs permitting and inspections; repairs, replacements, and additions may have additional inspection requirements.
    “All on-site sewage management systems must be inspected before they are put into operation.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Mountain Park or Cherokee County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from Mountain Park building-permit or construction-code requirements.
  • Setbacks — Structures inside Mountain Park city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot or impervious-surface coverage inside Mountain Park city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Mountain Park city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Mountain Park city limits.
3 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Mountain Park publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Cherokee County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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