Bolthole Index

Cobb County, Georgia

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Smyrna, Georgia

Smyrna, Georgia administers its own zoning ordinance with 25 districts1, and the city's Community Development Department handles building permits, plan review and inspections2. Septic permits are a separate office: Cobb & Douglas Public Health regulates septic tanks in Cobb County3. Living in an RV inside city limits is limited to approved parks4.

At a glance

Zoning
City of Smyrna's own ordinance, 25 districts1
Building permits
City Community Development Department, applied for online2
Septic permits
Cobb & Douglas Public Health (county, not the city)3
RV as a residence
Only in an approved, zoned and licensed park or lot4
Mobile homes
Licensed mobile home park or sales lot, with a hardship exception5
Minimum home size (R-30)
2,200 sq ft6
Short-term rentals
City license required7

Who to call

Building permits

City of Smyrna Community Development Department (Building Division)

Building plan review, permitting and inspections inside Smyrna city limits; the same department's Planning & Zoning Division handles zoning questions, rezonings and variances

(678) 631-5387

3180 Atlanta Rd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080

Online permits →

Building permits

City of Smyrna building permit fees and applications page

Smyrna's published building permit fee schedule and the online application portal

Online permits →

Septic permits

Cobb & Douglas Public Health, Environmental Health Division

Septic (onsite sewage) system permitting, site evaluation and inspection for Cobb County

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Smyrna, GA have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Smyrna administers its own zoning ordinance, Appendix A of the city code, with 25 zoning districts1. The residential districts run from R-30 down to R-8, and the rules change by district8.

In the R-30 district, single-family lots need at least 30,000 square feet and 110 feet of width9, homes must be at least 2,200 square feet6, and buildings are capped at 35 feet10. In R-20, the minimums are 20,000 square feet, 100 feet of width and a 2,100-square-foot home96. Lot coverage is capped at 25 percent in R-30 and 35 percent in R-2011.

R-30 front setbacks are 60, 50 or 45 feet depending on street class, with 15-foot side and 40-foot rear yards; R-20 uses 50, 40 or 35 feet in front with 12-foot side and 35-foot rear yards12. Driveways and parking areas stay at least 5 feet from a side property line13. Check a parcel's district on the city's parcel search map before you buy2.

Do you need a building permit in Smyrna, and who issues it?

The City of Smyrna issues building permits inside city limits, not Cobb County. The city's Building Division is responsible for plan reviews, permitting and inspections for new construction and for remodeling or renovation projects2. Applications go through the city's online portal, and in-person submittals are no longer accepted14.

Smyrna publishes a fee schedule that charges $7 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost for a building permit14. The city also issues a certificate of occupancy: it is applied for with the building permit application, and the zoning ordinance says it is issued within 10 days after completion in conformity with the ordinance15.

Cobb County's own residential permitting office, including its homeowner permit, serves unincorporated land only16. For land outside Smyrna, see the Cobb County page. We could not confirm from the city's pages whether Smyrna has an owner-builder permit; ask the Community Development Department.

How do septic permits work inside Smyrna?

Septic permits come from Cobb & Douglas Public Health, not from the City of Smyrna's Building Division. Cobb & Douglas Public Health regulates septic tanks in Cobb County17, and any installation, repair or modification of a septic system requires a permit from that department before work starts18.

Georgia rules also require a final inspection and written approval from the County Board of Health before a system is backfilled or used19. If public or community sewer is not available, the owner must provide an approved on-site system sized for expected occupancy20.

We could not confirm which Smyrna addresses are already on public sewer or whether the city requires a sewer connection. Ask the city's Community Development Department, and ask Cobb & Douglas Public Health before assuming a septic system is an option for a given lot.

Can you live in an RV, mobile home or tiny home in Smyrna?

Not on an ordinary lot. Smyrna's code says a travel trailer may not be maintained as a residence except in an approved, zoned and licensed park or lot4. A single-family lot may hold no more than one motor home or travel trailer, and it cannot be parked in front of the dwelling except on a hard-surface pad or driveway4. Camping in city streets and parks is prohibited21.

Mobile homes must sit in a licensed mobile home park or sales lot, except in extreme hardship approved by the mayor and council after review by the zoning and planning board5.

We could not confirm a Smyrna rule specific to tiny homes or accessory dwelling units. The minimum home sizes in the residential districts, such as 2,200 square feet in R-30, apply to single-family dwellings6. Ask the Planning & Zoning Division before planning a small dwelling2.

Building a home in Smyrna: the steps, in order

  1. Look up the parcel's zoning district on the city's parcel search map, then check lot size, width, setbacks and minimum home size for that district912.
  2. Call Smyrna's Planning & Zoning planners with questions about permitted uses, rezonings or variances2.
  3. Ask Cobb & Douglas Public Health whether the lot can use a septic system or must connect to sewer17.
  4. Apply for the building permit through the city's online portal14.
  5. Pass the city's required inspections, then obtain the certificate of occupancy, which the zoning ordinance ties to the permit application and to compliance with the ordinance15.

What stays with Cobb County, and what to check before you buy in Smyrna?

Inside Smyrna, the city sets zoning and issues building permits, while Cobb County keeps septic oversight through Cobb & Douglas Public Health17. Floodplain development in Cobb County's regulated floodplain requires a permit22, so confirm a parcel's flood status before you close. Georgia's mandatory state minimum construction codes apply to construction statewide whether or not they are locally enforced23.

Cobb County's effective property tax rate is 0.7 percent24. Short-term rentals of 30 days or less need a city license from the community development department7. For land outside city limits, use the Cobb County page, because the county's unincorporated rules differ from Smyrna's.

Watch-outs

  • Smyrna requires a short-term rental license from the community development department and a local agent, and motor vehicles may not be used as short-term rental units7.
  • Cobb County's unincorporated permit, fee and homeowner-permit rules do not apply inside Smyrna city limits16.
  • We could not confirm Smyrna's owner-builder, tiny-home, accessory-dwelling or well rules from the city's pages; ask the Community Development Department before you buy.2
  • Smyrna's application portal is online only; the city no longer accepts in-person permit submittals14.

Sources

  1. Smyrna Zoning Ordinance Sec. 801 - Residential districts (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Smyrna Community Development Department (Building Division) (smyrnaga.gov)
  3. Septic System Applications And Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  4. Smyrna Code Sec. 62-1 - Mobile homes; motor homes; travel trailers (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  5. Smyrna Code Sec. 62-1 - Mobile homes; motor homes; travel trailers (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  6. Smyrna Zoning Ordinance Sec. 801 - Residential districts (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  7. Smyrna Code Sec. 22-343 - Short-term rental definitions (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  8. Smyrna Zoning Ordinance Sec. 801 - Residential districts (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  9. Smyrna Zoning Ordinance Sec. 801 - Residential districts (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  10. Smyrna Zoning Ordinance Sec. 801 - Residential districts (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  11. Smyrna Zoning Ordinance Sec. 801 - Residential districts (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  12. Smyrna Zoning Ordinance Sec. 801 - Residential districts (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  13. Smyrna Zoning Ordinance Sec. 801 - Residential districts (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Smyrna building permit fees and applications page (smyrnaga.gov)
  15. Smyrna Zoning Ordinance Sec. 1306 - Certificate of occupancy required (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  16. Residential Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  17. Cobb & Douglas Public Health, Environmental Health Division (cobbcounty.gov)
  18. Septic System Applications And Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  19. Subject 511-3-1 ON-SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, quoted and re-checked
  20. Subject 511-3-1 ON-SITE SEWAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, quoted and re-checked
  21. Smyrna Code Sec. 66-8 - Building fires; camping in public places (Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  22. Defining Floodway, quoted and re-checked
  23. Mandatory and Permissive State Codes, quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 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 Smyrna

Smyrna’s own rules

  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of any lot or new/changed building inside Smyrna city

    • Applied for coincident with the building permit application; issued within ten days after completion in conformity with the ordinance.
    • Not issued unless the lot, building or use complies with the zoning ordinance.
    • Nothing requires compliance with minimum setback or side yard requirements for use of an existing structure.

    issuance period after completion: <= 10 days

    “A certificate of occupancy issued by the building inspector is required in advance of the use or occupancy of:”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Smyrna city limits

    • Smyrna administers its own zoning ordinance (Appendix A) with 25 zoning districts.
    “This article identifies those uses of buildings, structures and land which are permitted within each of the 25 zoning districts.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Smyrna city

    • 25 districts incl. R-30, R-20, R-15, R-12, R-10, R-8, RDA, RM, RD, RTD, CBD, LC, NS, OI, GC, OD, LI, HI, PS.

    number of zoning districts: 25 count

    “This article identifies those uses of buildings, structures and land which are permitted within each of the 25 zoning districts.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family dwellings in R-30 and R-20 districts inside Smyrna city (other districts in Sec. 801 table)

    • Other single-family districts: R-15 2,000; R-12 1,900; R-10 1,500; R-8 1,500 sq ft.

    R-30 minimum floor area: >= 2200 sq ft · R-20 minimum floor area: >= 2100 sq ft

    “R-30 30,000 — — 2,200 25 110 60 50 45 15 40 35 R-20 20,000 — — 2,100 35 100 50 40 35 12 35 35”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family lots in R-30 and R-20 districts inside Smyrna city

    • Other districts: R-15 15,000; R-12 12,000; R-10 10,000; R-8 8,000 sq ft.

    R-30 minimum lot area: >= 30000 sq ft · R-20 minimum lot area: >= 20000 sq ft · R-30 minimum lot width: >= 110 ft · R-20 minimum lot width: >= 100 ft

    “R-30 30,000 — — 2,200 25 110 60 50 45 15 40 35 R-20 20,000 — — 2,100 35 100 50 40 35 12 35 35”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family R-30 and R-20 districts inside Smyrna city

    • Front setback varies by street class (major/minor thoroughfare/other).
    • Corner lots: street-facing side yard is two-thirds of front setback (Sec. 1202).
    • Sec. 1205 allows reduced front setback based on neighbor average, not less than 10 ft from right-of-way.
    • Driveway/parking not closer than 5 ft to a side property line in R-30, R-20, R-15, R-12.

    R-30 front setback (major/minor/other): 60/50/45 ft · R-30 side/rear yard: 15/40 ft · R-20 front setback (major/minor/other): 50/40/35 ft · R-20 side/rear yard: 12/35 ft

    “R-30 30,000 — — 2,200 25 110 60 50 45 15 40 35 R-20 20,000 — — 2,100 35 100 50 40 35 12 35 35”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family R-30 and R-20 districts inside Smyrna city

    • Coverage includes buildings, other structures and paving.
    • In R-30, R-20, R-15, R-12 no more than 25 percent of required front or street side yard may be paved/impervious.

    R-30 maximum lot coverage: <= 25 percent · R-20 maximum lot coverage: <= 35 percent

    “R-30 30,000 — — 2,200 25 110 60 50 45 15 40 35 R-20 20,000 — — 2,100 35 100 50 40 35 12 35 35”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family R-30 and R-20 districts inside Smyrna city

    • Other single-family districts R-15 through R-8 also 35 ft.

    R-30 maximum height: <= 35 ft · R-20 maximum height: <= 35 ft

    “R-30 30,000 — — 2,200 25 110 60 50 45 15 40 35 R-20 20,000 — — 2,100 35 100 50 40 35 12 35 35”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Travel trailers/motor homes as residences inside Smyrna city

    • Travel trailer may not be a residence except in an approved, zoned and licensed park or lot.
    • Sec. 62-1(e): no more than one motor home, travel or camping trailer on any single-family lot, not parked in front of the dwelling except on a hard surface pad or driveway.
    • Motor homes/travel trailers on streets or public places limited to 24 hours except emergency.

    RVs per single-family lot: <= 1 count

    “No travel trailer shall be maintained as a residence except in an approved park or lot, properly zoned and licensed for such activity.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Camping in streets and public parks inside Smyrna city only; private-land camping not addressed in supplied text

    • Applies only to streets and parks.
    “No person shall build a fire in the streets or public parks, nor shall any person camp in the streets or parks.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile homes inside Smyrna city

    • Mobile homes must be in a licensed mobile home park or sales lot, except extreme hardship approved by mayor and council after zoning and planning board review.
    “No mobile home shall be parked or maintained outside a licensed mobile home park or sales lot, except in cases of extreme hardship, approved by the mayor and council after review and recommendation by the zoning and planning board.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveways in R-30, R-20, R-15 and R-12 districts inside Smyrna city

    • Driveway/parking area limits only; no general driveway permit rule seen.
    • No more than 25 percent of required front or street side yard covered by paving.

    minimum driveway distance to side property line: >= 5 ft

    “No driveway or other parking area shall be located closer than five feet to a side property line.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals (30 days or less) inside Smyrna city

    • Requires a short-term rental license from the community development department and a local agent.
    • Rental must comply with zoning, building, health and life safety codes.
    • Detached accessory building may be used only if primary building is owner occupied.
    • Motor vehicles may not be short-term rental units.

    maximum stay defining short-term rental: <= 30 days

    “Short-term rental license means the license issued by the community development department to owners or designated agents”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Smyrna or Cobb County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits inside Smyrna city
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Smyrna city
  • Building code adopted — Building code inside Smyrna city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Smyrna city
  • Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Smyrna city
10 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

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 Smyrna publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Cobb County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Cobb County: county rules, score and offices