Bolthole Index

Madison County, Georgia

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Colbert, Georgia

Colbert, Georgia, in Madison County, runs its own zoning inside city limits1 and adopts the state minimum building codes2. The only city permit process we could confirm covers mobile and manufactured homes, which need a building permit before they are moved in or occupied3. Septic permits come from the county board of health, not City Hall4.

At a glance

Zoning
Colbert has its own zoning map and districts15
Building codes
City adopts Georgia's state minimum standard codes2
Mobile/manufactured home permit
Required before moving in or occupying; letter of intent from the city clerk first36
Septic
Approval from the county health department47
RV living
Travel trailers limited to 14 days outside a travel trailer park, with exceptions8
Mobile home lot size
1½ acres minimum in most districts9
Owner-builder
Georgia does not require a license to build your own home; local codes still apply10

Who to call

Planning & zoning

City of Colbert City Hall

City clerk, letters of intent for manufactured home permits, and questions about Colbert zoning

(706) 788-2311

60 W. First Avenue

Building permits

Madison County Building Inspections & Code Enforcement

The county building inspector who issues the manufactured home building and occupancy permit for addresses inside Colbert

706-795-63 50

91 Albany Ave, Danielsville, GA 30633

Septic permits

Madison County Environmental Health, Northeast Health District

Septic construction permits, site inspections and final approvals for Madison County, including addresses inside Colbert

706-424-2049

PO Box 26, 97 Sunset Dr Danielsville, Georgia 30633

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Does Colbert, Georgia have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs and mobile homes?

Yes. Colbert has an Official Zoning Districts Map of its own1, with residential, agricultural, commercial and light-industrial districts5. Madison County's planning department says it has no jurisdiction inside city limits, so Madison County's zoning does not apply to a lot in Colbert11.

For a mobile home, Colbert allows single-unit mobile homes in every district except the wholesale and light-industrial M-1 district, on a lot of at least 1½ acres that also meets the yard requirements9. Conditions include masonry foundation underpinning, and no mobile home or stick-built home over eight years old may be moved into the city9.

For an RV, a travel trailer in Colbert may not be occupied for more than 14 days outside a travel trailer park unless it meets the mobile home lot rules8. City council can approve temporary use for up to six months in writing8. Tiny homes, accessory dwellings, setbacks and district lot sizes for site-built homes are not something we could confirm; ask City Hall12.

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

Colbert adopts the state minimum standard building codes by reference2. For mobile, manufactured and pre-owned manufactured homes, it is unlawful to move, place or connect utilities to one inside the city before obtaining a building permit3. The permit is issued by the Madison County building inspector, after the applicant gets a letter of intent from the city clerk6. A permit is also needed if the home is added to or structurally altered by ten square feet or more3.

We could not confirm Colbert's permit rules for site-built homes or its fee schedule. Call City Hall first12, then the county building inspections office13. The county's own 100-square-foot permit rule covers unincorporated land, not Colbert14.

How do septic permits work inside Colbert?

Colbert does not issue septic permits. Inside the city, septic approval comes from the county health department, and a manufactured home permit cannot be issued without it4. The application calls for a septic tank permit from the county board of health, or a verification letter for an existing system7. Contact Madison County Environmental Health15. Georgia rules require a construction permit from the county health department before any on-site sewage system is installed16.

Building a home in Colbert: the steps, in order

  1. Ask City Hall to confirm the zoning district and what the city requires12.
  2. Get septic site approval from the county health office4.
  3. For a manufactured home, get a letter of intent from the city clerk, then apply to the county building inspector6. The application needs a plat, septic permit, and a state DOT access letter for any new driveway onto a state highway17.
  4. A relocated mobile home not built to HUD standards needs a pre-permitting inspection18.
  5. Do not occupy a manufactured home until the permit is issued19.

Georgia does not require a license to build your own home, but local codes and permits still apply10.

What stays with Madison County, and what to check before you buy in Colbert?

Septic, and the county health office, stay with Madison County4. For land outside Colbert's limits, see the Madison County page.

In flood hazard areas inside Colbert, development must meet city standards, including a lowest floor one foot above base flood elevation where that data exists20. Wells inside the city are unconfirmed; ask the county health office15.

These figures are for Madison County as a whole: the typical effective property tax rate is 0.8%21.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Colbert's rules for site-built home permits, fees, setbacks or tiny homes; ask City Hall before you buy12.
  • The county building inspector issues Colbert's manufactured home permits, but the county's own permit rule covers unincorporated land only; start with the city clerk's letter of intent6.
  • A travel trailer in Colbert is limited to 14 days outside a travel trailer park unless it meets the mobile home lot rules8.

Sources

  1. Colbert Code Sec. 34-3 Definitions (Zoning) (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  2. Colbert Code Sec. 8-19 State minimum standard codes (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  3. Colbert Code Sec. 18-21 Building and occupancy permits (manufactured homes) (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  4. Colbert Code Sec. 18-21 Building and occupancy permits (manufactured homes) (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  5. Colbert Code Sec. 34-123 Residential districts (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  6. Colbert Code Sec. 18-21 Building and occupancy permits (manufactured homes) (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  7. Colbert Code Sec. 18-21 Building and occupancy permits (manufactured homes) (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  8. Colbert Code Sec. 34-94 Storage and parking of trailers and vehicles (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  9. Colbert Code Sec. 34-179 Mobile homes and travel trailers (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  10. Residential and Commercial General Contractors Frequently Asked Questions (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  12. City of Colbert City Hall (colbertga.gov)
  13. Madison County Building Inspections & Code Enforcement (madisoncountyga.us)
  14. Building Inspections & Code Enforcement, quoted and re-checked
  15. Madison County Environmental Health, Northeast Health District (northeasthealthdistrict.org)
  16. Georgia On-Site Sewage Management Systems Rules, quoted and re-checked
  17. Colbert Code Sec. 18-21 Building and occupancy permits (manufactured homes) (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  18. Colbert Code Sec. 18-21 Building and occupancy permits (manufactured homes) (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  19. Colbert Code Sec. 18-21 Building and occupancy permits (manufactured homes) (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  20. Colbert Code Sec. 17-102 Specific standards (flood) (Colbert), quoted and re-checked
  21. 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 Colbert

Colbert’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Mobile, manufactured and pre-owned manufactured homes inside Colbert city; permit issued by the Madison County building inspector

    • Applicant first obtains a letter of intent from the city clerk.
    • A building permit is also required if the home is added to or structurally altered ten square feet or more.
    • General (site-built) permit rules not located in the sections reviewed.
    “Prior to obtaining a building permit it shall be unlawful to move, locate, relocate, erect or make utility connections of any kind to a mobile, manufactured, or pre-owned manufactured home within the city.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Colbert city limits

    • State minimum code controls if the listed editions are less stringent or the state adopts a different edition.
    • Listed editions: IBC 2012, IRC 2012 (with 2014 and 2015 Georgia amendments), NEC 2014, IECC 2009, among others.
    “the city hereby adopts and incorporates by reference, as if set out at length herein, the latest editions of the state minimum standard codes enumerated in O.C.G.A.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Manufactured homes inside Colbert city, via the county building inspector

    • Pre-permitting inspection required for relocated mobile homes not built to HUD standards.
    • Inspection rules for other construction not located.
    “a pre-permitting inspection must be accomplished before a building and occupancy permit is issued;”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Mobile and manufactured homes inside Colbert city (building and occupancy permit)

    • Occupancy requirement shown only for manufactured homes in sections reviewed.
    “Prior to obtaining a building permit it shall be unlawful to occupy or otherwise use as a residence a mobile, manufactured, or pre-owned manufactured home within the city.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Colbert city limits

    “The word "map" means the "Official Zoning Districts Map for the City of Colbert, Georgia."”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Colbert city zoning districts: R-1, A-1, R-2, C-1, C-2, M-1

    • Use lists published in Secs. 34-123 and 34-124; dimensional standards not located.
    “A-1 Agricultural District. Within the A-1 Agricultural District the following uses are permitted:”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots for single unit mobile homes in all districts other than M-1 inside Colbert city; R-1/A-1 site-built minimums not located

    • Also must conform to minimum yard requirements of the chapter.

    minimum lot size: >= 1.5 acres

    “The minimum lot size shall be 1½ acres and conform to the minimum yard requirements of this chapter.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Travel trailer occupancy inside Colbert city

    • Occupancy over 14 days only in a travel trailer park or if the trailer meets Sec. 34-179(a) mobile home requirements (1½ acre lot, masonry underpinning, etc.).
    • Temporary use up to six months with written city council approval (Sec. 34-179(b)).

    max occupancy outside park: <= 14 days (unless on lot meeting 34-179(a))

    “A travel trailer shall not be occupied for more than 14 days while parked or stored in any area except in a travel trailer park or providing the travel trailer meets requirements set forth under section 34-179 (a) for mobile homes on individual lots.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Single unit mobile homes in all districts other than M-1 inside Colbert city

    • Minimum lot 1½ acres and conform to yard requirements.
    • Long axis parallel to the street.
    • Permanent masonry foundation underpinning; porches and decks underpinned with masonry or lattice.
    • No mobile home or stick built home over eight years old may be moved into the city.
    • Setup time not to exceed 60 days or permit expires.
    • Building and occupancy permit via county building inspector (Sec. 18-21).

    minimum lot size: >= 1.5 acres

    “in all districts other than the M-1 wholesale and light industrial districts single unit mobile homes are permitted subject to the following conditions: (1) The minimum lot size shall be 1½ acres and conform to the minimum yard requirements of this chapter.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    New driveways for manufactured homes inside Colbert city accessing a state highway

    • Applies to the manufactured home permit application only.
    “An access letter from the state department of transportation for all new driveways accessing from a state highway;”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in areas of special flood hazard inside Colbert city

    • Lowest floor elevated at least one foot above base flood elevation where BFE data available.
    • Floodway encroachments prohibited unless engineering analysis shows no increase in flood levels.
    • RVs must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be road-ready, or meet new construction standards.

    freeboard above BFE: >= 1 foot (A-zones without BFE: three feet above highest adjacent grade (Sec. 17-103))

    “In all areas of special flood hazard the following provisions are required:”
  • Permit processPartial

    Mobile/manufactured home building and occupancy permits inside Colbert city

    • Applicant gets a letter of intent from the city clerk and files with the county building inspector.
    • Application requires plat, septic permit, DOT driveway letter where applicable, setup and electrician names, county tax decal.
    “A person desiring to obtain a building and occupancy permit for a mobile, manufactured, or pre-owned manufactured home to be located in the city shall apply for a letter of intent from the city clerk.”

Rules another office applies inside Colbert

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

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Colbert city
  • Minimum dwelling size — R-1 and A-1 districts in Colbert city
  • Setbacks — R-1 and A-1 districts in Colbert city
  • Lot coverage — R-1 and A-1 districts in Colbert city
  • Building height — R-1 and A-1 districts in Colbert city
11 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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

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