Bolthole Index

Floyd County, Georgia

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Cave Spring, Georgia

Cave Spring, Georgia, in Floyd County, runs its own zoning ordinance and adopts the state minimum building codes inside city limits12. Manufactured homes are barred inside the city, with narrow exceptions3. Septic permits for Floyd County come from the Floyd County Health Department's Environmental Health office4. We could not confirm which office issues residential building permits inside the city, so call City Hall first5.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes. Cave Spring has its own zoning ordinance with R-1 and R-2 districts1
Building permit
City adopts the state building codes; agricultural outbuildings can be exempt. Which office issues permits is unconfirmed26
Septic
Floyd County Health Department, Environmental Health4
RV living
Limited: short stays only with a permanent house on the lot, and the city code conflicts with itself7
Manufactured homes
Prohibited inside city limits, with grandfathering3
Minimum lot
Half an acre in R-1; one-third acre in R-289
Owner-builder
Georgia does not require a license to build your own home; local codes still apply10

Who to call

Zoning

City of Cave Spring, City Hall

First call for Cave Spring zoning questions and for which office issues building permits inside the city

706-777-3382

10 Georgia Avenue, Cave Spring, GA

Building permits

Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department

Floyd County building permits and inspections; Cave Spring's code says copies of its adopted technical codes are kept here

706-236-4480

607 Broad Street, Rome, GA 30162

Septic permits

Floyd County Health Department, Environmental Health

Septic (onsite sewage) site evaluations, construction permits and final inspections for Floyd County, and notice of intent to drill for private wells

706-295-6316

16 East 12th Street, Rome, GA 30161

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 Cave Spring means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

Yes. Cave Spring has its own zoning ordinance, published as Appendix B of the city code, and its districts include R-1 and R-21.

In the R-1 agricultural and low density residential district, the minimum lot size is one-half acre, with a 25-foot front yard, 20-foot side yards and a 25-foot rear yard811. Buildings in R-1 top out at 35 feet or three stories12.

In the R-2 medium and high density residential district, the minimum lot size is one-third acre, with a 20-foot front yard, 10-foot side yards and a 20-foot rear yard913. R-2 allows 50 feet for apartment buildings and 35 feet for everything else14.

Accessory buildings keep the same front and side yards as the main structure in both districts11. We could not confirm minimum home size, lot coverage or accessory-dwelling rules; ask City Hall5.

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

Cave Spring adopts the state minimum standard codes, including the international residential code, for construction inside the city2. Georgia's mandatory codes apply to any structure built in the state whether or not a local government enforces them15.

Agricultural buildings inside Cave Spring can skip a building permit, but only if they hold farm products, farm equipment or animals, are not used for habitation, have no toilet, draw no more than 125 amps, and stay under 4,000 square feet and one story6. Exempt buildings must still be built to code6.

We could not confirm which office issues residential building permits inside Cave Spring. The city's code says copies of the codes are kept at the county building inspection department2, and Floyd County's Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department handles building permits for unincorporated Floyd County16. Call Cave Spring City Hall first5, then the Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department17.

Georgia does not require a license to build your own home, but the owner still has to follow local codes and permits10.

How do septic permits work in Cave Spring?

Septic permits for Floyd County come from the Floyd County Health Department's Environmental Health section418. We could not find a separate Cave Spring septic rule, so expect the county health department to handle septic and well questions for city addresses too; confirm with them.

Georgia requires a construction permit before an onsite sewage system goes in, and the County Board of Health must find the site suitable19. A final inspection and written approval come before the system is backfilled or used20. Where a public or community sewer is available within 200 feet of the property line, or in the right-of-way next to it, connection is required21.

The county's published fee schedule, labeled effective May 1, 2008, lists a $275 application and site visit and a $475 delayed permit for building before permitting22. Confirm current fees by phone.

In Floyd County about 22% of soils rate "not limited" for a conventional drain field, so many lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system23.

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Cave Spring?

RV: the zoning ordinance allows temporary occupancy of a recreational vehicle for no more than ten days in any two-month period, only with a permanent dwelling on the lot and one RV per lot7. A separate section of the city code bars RV occupancy outside a licensed RV park holding a city business license, and the two sections appear to conflict, so assume the stricter reading and ask City Hall before parking an RV on a lot75.

Camping in public areas inside Cave Spring is unlawful without a city permit; the camping section does not address private land24.

Manufactured homes: no mobile or manufactured home may be placed or occupied inside the city limits. Units already on private lots on January 1, 2002 are exempt until the right is abandoned by removal with no replacement within 30 days, and contractors may use temporary quarters during construction3.

Tiny homes: we found no tiny-home provision in Cave Spring's code. Georgia treats site-built or modular tiny homes as dwellings under the building codes, and local zoning decides where they can be sited25.

Building a home in Cave Spring: the steps, in order

  1. Call Cave Spring City Hall to confirm the zoning district for your lot and which office issues your building permit5.
  2. Check lot size and setbacks for R-1 or R-2 against your plan89.
  3. Contact the Floyd County Health Department's Environmental Health office about a site evaluation and septic construction permit, or ask about sewer availability1821.
  4. Check whether the lot lies in a flood zone; inside the city, where no base flood elevation exists, the lowest floor must sit at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade26.
  5. Apply for the building permit with plans that meet the state minimum codes the city adopts2.
  6. If the driveway meets a state highway, apply to the Georgia DOT District office27.
  7. Pass the septic final inspection before backfilling20.

What stays with Floyd County, and what to check before you buy in Cave Spring

Septic permits and well notices stay with the Floyd County Health Department rather than the city. A licensed contractor must notify the county health department before drilling a private water well28.

Land outside Cave Spring city limits falls under Floyd County's rules; see the Floyd County page for unincorporated land. Floyd County requires a permit for most building projects outside the city16, and county driveway connections need a permit before the building permit29.

Floyd County's effective property tax rate is 0.8%, with a median tax bill of $1,560 a year3031. Land that qualifies for Georgia's conservation-use assessment is assessed at 40% of its current use value, and the application goes to the county board of tax assessors32. The nearest city of 100,000 or more people is about 52 miles from the Floyd County center33.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm who issues building permits, inspections or certificates of occupancy inside Cave Spring; ask City Hall before you buy5.
  • Cave Spring's two RV rules appear to conflict, so assume the stricter reading and confirm with City Hall before living in an RV on a lot7.
  • Manufactured homes are prohibited inside city limits except grandfathered units3.
  • The Floyd County septic fee schedule we found is labeled effective May 1, 2008, so confirm current fees with Environmental Health22.

Sources

  1. Cave Spring Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.1 (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  2. Cave Spring Code Sec. 8-1 Technical codes adopted (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  3. Cave Spring Code Sec. 8-24 Mobile home/manufactured homes or RVs (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  4. Floyd County Health Department Environmental Health Section Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  5. City of Cave Spring, City Hall (cavespring.ga.gov)
  6. Cave Spring Code Sec. 8-1 Technical codes adopted (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  7. Cave Spring Zoning Ordinance Sec. 6.3 Occupancy of recreational vehicles (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  8. Cave Spring Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.2 R-1 (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  9. Cave Spring Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.3 R-2 (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  10. Residential and Commercial General Contractors Frequently Asked Questions (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Cave Spring Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.2 R-1 (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  12. Cave Spring Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.2 R-1 (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  13. Cave Spring Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.3 R-2 (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  14. Cave Spring Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.3 R-2 (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  15. Mandatory and Permissive State Codes (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Building Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  17. Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department (romega.us)
  18. Floyd County Health Department, Environmental Health (nwgapublichealth.org)
  19. Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. GA DPH Onsite Sewage Manual (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Floyd County Health Department Environmental Health Section Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  23. 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
  24. Cave Spring Code Sec. 24-13 Urban camping (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  25. Georgia Tiny House Fact Sheet (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Cave Spring Code Sec. 20-70 Flood building standards (A zones) (Cave Spring), quoted and re-checked
  27. Regulations for Driveway & Encroachment Control Manual (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Well Water, quoted and re-checked
  29. floydcountyga.gov, quoted and re-checked
  30. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Conservation Use Land Values (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: 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 Cave Spring

Cave Spring’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Buildings inside Cave Spring city; agricultural structures exempt if criteria met

    • Exempt only if used for storage of agricultural products, farm equipment or animal shelter, not for habitation
    • Served by not more than 125 AMP electricity, no toilet facilities
    • Not greater than 4,000 square feet nor taller than one story (max 20 feet clearance)
    • Exempt structures must still be built to code

    max exempt agricultural structure size: <= 4000 sq ft

    “structures which are built for agricultural purposes shall not require a building permit so long as such structures meet all of the following criteria:”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Cave Spring city

    • Adopts state minimum standard codes (IRC, IBC, IECC, NEC, fuel gas, plumbing, mechanical, property maintenance) as adopted by the state, except portions deleted or amended
    • Copies kept at the county building inspection department
    “the city adopts that certain state minimum standard code known as the international residential code, and all subsequent amendments thereto, as adopted by the state, except such portions as are deleted, modified, or amended in this article.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Cave Spring city limits

    • Zoning Ordinance is Appendix B of the city code; districts include R-1 and R-2
    “the following districts designate certain uses and special uses within each district.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 agricultural and low density residential district, Cave Spring city

    • Minimum lot width at street right-of-way 100 feet, or as required by GDOT guidelines or chapter 32

    minimum lot size: >= 0.5 acre

    “minimum lot size: one-half acre or greater. minimum lot width at street right-of-way: 100 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-2 medium and high density residential district, Cave Spring city
      “minimum lot size: one-third acre or greater. minimum lot width at street right-of-way: 50 feet”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 agricultural and low density residential district, Cave Spring city

    • Accessory buildings keep the same front and side yards as the main structure and may not project beyond the established building line

    front yard setback: >= 25 feet · side yard setback: >= 20 feet · rear yard setback: >= 25 feet

    “front yard setback (from right-of-way): 25 feet. side yard setback (from property line): 20 feet. rear yard setback (from property line): 25 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-2 medium and high density residential district, Cave Spring city
      “front yard setback (from right-of-way): 20 feet. side yard setback (from property line): ten feet. rear yard setback (from property line): 20 feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-2 medium and high density residential district, Cave Spring city

    • Exceptions for church spires, monuments, water towers, chimneys, flag poles, aerials and similar

    maximum height apartments: <= 50 feet · maximum height other: <= 35 feet

    “maximum building and structure height: 50 feet for apartment buildings, 35 feet for all other.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 agricultural and low density residential district, Cave Spring city
      “maximum building and structure height: 35 feet or three stories of standard height.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    RV occupancy on lots inside Cave Spring city

    • Zoning Sec. 6.3 allows temporary occupancy up to ten days in any two-month period, only with a permanent dwelling on the lot, one RV per lot
    • Chapter 8 Sec. 8-24(b) bars RV occupancy outside a licensed RV park with a city business license; the two sections appear to conflict, so the more restrictive reading is the safe one

    temporary occupancy: <= 10 days per two months (requires permanent dwelling on lot)

    “recreational vehicles can be occupied as temporary dwellings as a temporary accessory use for no more than ten days in any two-month period, only if there is a permanent dwelling unit as a principal use on the lot, and only if the vehicle is parked in conformance with this ordinance.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping inside Cave Spring city; the section bans camping in public areas

    • Unless acting under a valid permit issued by the city
    • Private-land camping is not addressed in this section; RV rules apply to RV camping
    • Warning required before citation for first offense
    “unless acting under a valid permit issued by the city of cave spring, georgia or otherwise authorized by the city of cave spring, it shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the city to commit any of the following acts. (1) no person shall camp in a public area.”
  • Manufactured homesProhibited

    Mobile/manufactured homes inside Cave Spring city

    • Units situated on private lots on January 1, 2002 are exempt (Sec. 8-26(a)), until the right is abandoned by removal and no replacement within 30 days
    • Contractors may use temporary office or living quarters during construction (Sec. 8-26(b))
    “no mobile/manufactured home shall be parked, placed or otherwise located for storage, sale, use or occupancy for any period of time, within the corporate city limits of the city.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural structures inside Cave Spring city (building permit exemption)

    • Only storage of agricultural products, farm equipment or animal shelter; no habitation
    • Not more than 125 AMP electricity; no toilet facilities
    • Not over 4,000 square feet or one story with 20 feet clearance
    • Must still be built to code standards

    max size: <= 4000 sq ft

    “the structure is to be used only for the storage of agricultural products, farm equipment and machinery, or as shelter for farm animals and/or livestock, and the structure shall not be used for human habitation.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Areas of special flood hazard (A zones without base flood data) inside Cave Spring city

    • No encroachments within the stream width or 20 feet, whichever is greater, from top of bank, unless an engineer certifies no more than a one-foot flood increase
    • Lowest floor elevated at least three feet above highest adjacent grade where no BFE data exist

    lowest floor elevation above highest adjacent grade: >= 3 feet (where no base flood data are available)

    “in special flood hazard areas without base flood elevation data, new construction and substantial improvements of existing structures shall have the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement) elevated no less than three feet above the highest adjacent grade at the building site.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Cave Spring or Floyd County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Inside Cave Spring city
  • Inspections — Inspections inside Cave Spring city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Inside Cave Spring city
  • Minimum dwelling size — Inside Cave Spring city
  • Lot coverage — Inside Cave Spring city
13 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • 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 Cave Spring publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Floyd County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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