Bolthole Index

Polk County, Georgia

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Cedartown, Georgia

Cedartown, Georgia has its own zoning chapter and requires building permits for work inside city limits, issued by the city's building inspection office123. Septic permits inside the city are issued by the health officer, and septic is barred where public sewer is accessible4. Land outside the city falls under Polk County instead.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside Cedartown; fees double if work starts before the permit2
Zoning
Yes, Chapter 94 districts such as R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3 and I-11
Septic
Permit from the health officer; not allowed where public sewer is accessible4
RV living
Not allowed outside an authorized travel trailer park5
Minimum home size
1,200 sq ft in R-1; 2,000 sq ft in R-E67
Manufactured homes
Allowed in residential districts with a minimum 30-foot width (16 feet in R-4)8
Owner-builder
No state contractor license needed; local codes still apply9

Who to call

Building permits

City of Cedartown Building Inspection & Zoning

Building permits, inspections, rezoning and variance applications inside Cedartown city limits

(770) 748-3220 ext. 3040

201 East Avenue

Septic permits

Polk County Environmental Health

Onsite-sewage applications, site review and septic inspections for Polk County addresses

(770) 749-2253

125 East Ware Street, Cedartown, GA 30125

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

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Does Cedartown, GA have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, home size and setbacks?

Cedartown has its own zoning chapter with named districts including R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, C-1 and I-110. Rules differ by district, so look up the parcel's district on the city zoning map before you buy.

In the R-1 single-family district, lots need 29,040 square feet (two-thirds of an acre), a 60-foot front setback, 25-foot sides, a 35-foot rear and a 1,200 square foot heated floor area11126. In the R-E estate district, the minimums are 2 acres, a 100-foot front setback and 2,000 square feet of heated floor area13147.

A travel trailer in Cedartown cannot be occupied, temporarily or permanently, outside an authorized travel trailer park5. Detached accessory buildings cannot be habitable, which rules out a backyard tiny home or guest cottage as living space15. The city has no tiny-home rule we could confirm; ask the building inspection office.

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

Yes. Cedartown's code requires building permits for work inside the city, and fees are doubled when work starts before the permit is obtained2. The city has adopted the Georgia State Minimum Codes, including the residential, electrical and plumbing codes, and picks up later amendments automatically16.

The permit comes from the City of Cedartown's building inspection office inside City Hall, not from Polk County3. Georgia does not require owners to hold a contractor license to build their own home, but local codes and permits still apply9. We could not confirm the city's permit fee schedule or inspection list; ask the building inspection office.

The county's building inspection rules cover unincorporated Polk County; see the Polk County page for land outside the city.

How do septic permits work inside Cedartown?

Cedartown's code bars anyone from building, repairing or enlarging a septic tank without a permit issued by the health officer, and the tank must be inspected and approved before any part is covered417. Septic is not allowed where public sewer is accessible: a property within 100 feet of a city sewer must connect within 30 days after official notice18.

Where no sewer is available, a septic system approved by the health officer may be used19. Georgia requires a county board of health construction permit, valid for no more than 12 months20. Polk County Environmental Health, part of the Northwest Georgia Public Health District, is the local office to call2122. The city code does not name the agency behind its "health officer", so confirm with Environmental Health who signs off inside city limits.

Building a home in Cedartown: the steps, in order

  1. Look up the parcel's zoning district on the city zoning map and check lot size, setbacks and minimum floor area10.
  2. Ask the city whether public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line, since that decides whether septic is allowed at all18.
  3. If septic applies, apply through Polk County Environmental Health and wait for the site inspection2120.
  4. Apply for the building permit at the City of Cedartown building inspection office in City Hall3.
  5. Schedule each inspection with the building inspection office at least 24 hours ahead3.
  6. If any part of the lot is in a special flood hazard area, the lowest floor must sit at least 1 foot above base flood elevation where flood data exist23.

What stays with Polk County, and what to check before you buy in Cedartown

Septic permits stay with the health system, not the city planning counter: Polk County Environmental Health handles onsite sewage for the area21. Polk County's own zoning and building rules apply only in unincorporated Polk County, so a parcel just outside the city line follows different rules; use the Polk County page for those24.

Before you buy, confirm the district, check the flood map, and ask about sewer. Only about 22% of Polk County soils rate as not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so lots without sewer often need a site evaluation25. Polk County's effective property tax rate is about 0.8%26.

Watch-outs

  • Cedartown's code says travel trailers cannot be occupied outside an authorized park and cannot be parked on vacant lots, so living in an RV on a vacant city lot is not an option5.
  • Detached accessory buildings in Cedartown cannot be habitable, so a separate tiny home or rental cottage on a city lot needs written confirmation from the building inspection office153.
  • We could not confirm Cedartown's permit fee schedule, well rules or short-term rental rules; the building inspection office is the one to ask3.

Sources

  1. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-134 Accessory and temporary buildings (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  2. Cedartown Code Sec. 18-114 Building permits required; fees (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  3. City of Cedartown Building Inspection & Zoning (cedartowngeorgia.gov)
  4. Cedartown Code Sec. 82-92 Septic tank permit; approval of work (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  5. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-486 Storage and parking of trailers (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  6. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-194 R-1 Setbacks and regulations (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  7. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-179 R-E Setbacks and regulations (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  8. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-146 Compatibility standards for homes (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  9. Residential and Commercial General Contractors Frequently Asked Questions (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-194 R-1 Setbacks and regulations (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  11. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-194 R-1 Setbacks and regulations (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  12. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-194 R-1 Setbacks and regulations (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  13. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-179 R-E Setbacks and regulations (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  14. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-179 R-E Setbacks and regulations (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  15. Cedartown Code Sec. 94-134 Accessory and temporary buildings (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  16. Cedartown Code Sec. 18-36 Technical building and construction codes adopted (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  17. Cedartown Code Sec. 82-92 Septic tank permit; approval of work (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  18. Cedartown Code Sec. 82-68 Use of public sewers required (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  19. Cedartown Code Sec. 82-68 Use of public sewers required (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  20. Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Polk County Environmental Health (nwgapublichealth.org)
  22. LAND USE/ONSITE-SEWAGE, quoted and re-checked
  23. Cedartown Code Sec. 46-66 Flood hazard specific standards (Cedartown), quoted and re-checked
  24. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  25. 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
  26. 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 Cedartown

Cedartown’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building work inside Cedartown city (Sec. 18-114 sits in the movable housing article)

    • Fees doubled when work starts before permit is obtained
    • Fees per schedule approved by City Commission
    “Where work for which a permit is required by this Code is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining the permit, the fees specified shall be doubled”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Cedartown city

    • Adopted as Georgia State Minimum Codes, most current versions, automatic adoption of amendments
    • Includes IBC, IRC, IFC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, NEC, IPMC, IEBC
    “The following technical building and construction codes are adopted by reference as the Georgia State Minimum Codes in their most current version and as may be amended from time to time in later editions”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Cedartown city limits

    • Chapter 94 Zoning with named districts (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, I-1 and others)
    “Location and uses of accessory buildings in all zoning districts shall be governed by the following conditions:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Cedartown city zoning districts (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, C-1, I-1 and others)

    • District dimensional tables published in Chapter 94 Article V
    “minimum lot area (sq. ft.) 29,040 sq. ft. or ⅔ acre minimum lot dimensions width 150 ft.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District, Cedartown city

    • Sec. 94-146 also sets 1,200 sq ft minimum for all single-family dwellings

    minimum heated floor area: >= 1200 sq ft

    “maximum building height feet 35 ft. minimum heated floor area 1,200 sq. ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District, Cedartown city

    • Minimum lot width 150 ft

    minimum lot area: >= 29040 sq ft (or 2/3 acre)

    “minimum lot area (sq. ft.) 29,040 sq. ft. or ⅔ acre minimum lot dimensions width 150 ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — R-E Single-Family Estate Residential District, Cedartown city
      “minimum lot area (sq. ft.) 2 acres minimum lot dimensions width 125 feet, or 75 feet at the front setback for cul-de-sac lots”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District, Cedartown city

    • Detached accessory buildings at least 10 ft from lot line (Sec. 94-134)

    front setback: >= 60 ft · side setback: >= 25 ft · rear setback: >= 35 ft

    “front setback from street right-of-way or property line 60 ft. side 25 ft. rear 35 ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Detached accessory buildings in all Cedartown zoning districts (no main-building coverage limit found)

    • Not located in a front yard
    • Coverage cap applies to the side or rear yard, not the whole lot

    detached accessory coverage of side or rear yard: <= 20 percent

    “A detached accessory building may be located in a side or rear yard but may not cover more than 20 percent of the side or rear yard.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District, Cedartown city

    • Detached accessory buildings max 15 ft

    maximum building height: <= 35 ft

    “maximum building height feet 35 ft. minimum heated floor area 1,200 sq. ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Travel trailers on lots with dwellings or in residential districts inside Cedartown city

    • Occupancy only in a travel trailer park authorized under the zoning chapter
    • Parking permitted in side/rear yards or driveway of single-family homes, not on vacant lots
    • Sec. 78-39 also bars permanent residence in a travel trailer (more than 30 consecutive days)
    “A travel trailer shall not be occupied either temporarily or permanently while it is parked or stored in any area, except in a travel trailer park authorized under this chapter.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes as single-family dwellings in Cedartown zoning districts

    • Minimum width 30 feet in residential districts except R-4 (16 feet or greater)
    • Minimum 1,200 sq ft heated and cooled floor area
    • Minimum 5:12 roof pitch, approved siding, permanent foundation
    • Planning commission may approve deviations

    minimum width: >= 30 feet (R-4 districts permit 16 feet or greater)

    “The minimum width of the structure built or installed on the site shall be 30 feet in all residential districts, except for the R-4 districts, which will permit a width of 16 feet or greater.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Detached accessory buildings in all Cedartown zoning districts

    • Detached accessory building may not be habitable
    • Not closer than ten feet to a lot line, not in front yard, max 15 ft height
    • Attached accessory buildings must comply with main building requirements

    detached accessory height: <= 15 feet

    “A detached accessory building shall not be closer than ten feet to a lot line nor should it be a habitable building.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Septic tanks inside Cedartown city

    • Permit issued by the 'health officer'
    • Septic not allowed where public sewer is accessible (Sec. 82-95)
    “No person shall construct, repair, alter, or enlarge any septic tank unless he shall hold a valid permit for such work issued by the health officer.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic tank construction inside Cedartown city

    • Inspection and approval by the health officer before any part is covered
    “Before any septic tank or any part thereof may be covered after it has been constructed, repaired, altered, or enlarged, it shall be inspected and approved by the health officer.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sanitation inside Cedartown city

    • Septic or private subsurface disposal only where no sewer is available and approved by the health officer
    “where no sewer is available, septic tanks or other private subsurface disposal facilities approved by the health officer may be used.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Properties abutting a street with a city public sewer inside Cedartown city

    • Connect within 30 days after official notice
    • Only if public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line
    • Where no sewer is available, septic approved by health officer may be used
    • Public water connection rule not found

    sewer distance: <= 100 feet · connection deadline after notice: <= 30 days

    “within 30 days after date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Areas of special flood hazard inside Cedartown city

    • Lowest floor at least one foot above base flood elevation where BFE data available
    • Encroachments including fill and new construction prohibited in floodway unless engineering analysis shows no increase in flood levels
    • RVs must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, or be highway-ready, or meet new-construction standards

    freeboard above base flood elevation: >= 1 ft (nonresidential may floodproof instead in A1-30, AE, AH zones)

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

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Cedartown city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Cedartown city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Cedartown city
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside Cedartown city
  • Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Cedartown city
8 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Cedartown publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Polk County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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