Bolthole Index

Cobb County, Georgia

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Marietta, Georgia

Inside Marietta, Georgia, the city's own Planning & Zoning department sets zoning1 and the city's Building Inspections office issues building permits2. Septic permits for property in Cobb County come from Cobb & Douglas Public Health, not the city3. Camping on private land inside Marietta needs the owner's consent and must follow the city code4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction, alterations, repairs, moves and demolition; issued by the City of Marietta2
Zoning
Marietta adopts its own zoning ordinance, with districts such as R-1 for low-density single-family homes1
Septic
Cobb & Douglas Public Health issues septic permits for Cobb County property3
RV or camping
Prohibited on public property; on private property only with the owner's consent and within the city code4
Manufactured homes
Not a permitted dwelling in the R-1 district5
Accessory dwelling
One accessory dwelling unit allowed in R-1 under conditions6
Owner-builder
Georgia does not require a license to build your own home; city permits still apply7

Who to call

Building permits

City of Marietta Building Inspections (Permits & Inspections)

Building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, plan review and inspections inside Marietta city limits

770-794-5659

205 Lawrence Street, Marietta, GA 30060

Planning & zoning

City of Marietta Planning & Zoning

Zoning, rezoning, variances, fences and home occupations inside Marietta city limits

770-794-5669

205 Lawrence Street, Marietta, GA 30060

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 17, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Marietta, Georgia have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and lot size?

Yes. Marietta adopts its own zoning ordinance, and the R-1 district is intended for low-density single-family detached housing1. The City of Marietta Planning & Zoning department handles zoning, rezonings and variances at City Hall8. Cobb County's zoning division covers only unincorporated land, so its map does not apply inside the city9.

Camping is prohibited on public property in Marietta, and on private property it needs the owner's consent and must follow the city code4. We could not confirm whether the city allows living in an RV as a home; ask Planning & Zoning before you plan on it8.

Manufactured homes are not a permitted dwelling in the R-1 district5. Georgia treats site-built tiny homes like any other house under the building codes, and local zoning decides where they may go10. We did not confirm Marietta's tiny-home rules.

In the RHR high-rise district, a 3-bedroom unit needs at least 1,000 square feet and a 2-bedroom at least 80011. RHR front setbacks on arterial roads are at least 50 feet and rear setbacks at least 40 feet12. We did not confirm lot sizes or setbacks for the single-family district.

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

Yes. Marietta requires a building permit whenever an owner or contractor builds new, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves or demolishes a building or structure, or installs or alters electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems2. Fences are exempt from a building permit, but Planning & Zoning sets height and location rules for them2.

The City of Marietta, not Cobb County, issues building permits inside city limits. Cobb County's building permit rules and fee schedule cover unincorporated land only13. For a project in Marietta, call the city's Permits & Inspections office at 770-794-56592. We could not confirm the city's fee schedule; ask that office.

Georgia does not require a license to build your own home, but the exemption does not waive local permits, codes or inspections7. Whether Marietta offers its own homeowner-builder permit is something to confirm with Permits & Inspections.

How do septic permits work in Marietta?

Septic permits for property in Cobb County come from Cobb & Douglas Public Health's Environmental Health office3. A permit is required before any installation, repair or modification of a septic system14. The city's building office does not issue them.

Georgia requires connection to a public sewer when one is available within 200 feet of the property line or in the abutting right-of-way15. Most lots inside a city the size of Marietta are likely to be near sewer, so a new septic system may not be an option. We could not confirm sewer availability for a specific address; ask Marietta's Development Services or Cobb & Douglas Public Health.

Wells follow state rules: the driller must notify the county health department before drilling16.

Can you add an accessory dwelling or live in an RV or tiny home in Marietta?

Marietta allows one accessory dwelling unit in the R-1 district under conditions: it sits to the rear of the main house, the footprint cannot exceed 50% of the main house, no paying guests or tenants are housed, and the owner lives on the property6. The Director approves it as a temporary or conditional use6.

RVs and camping are limited to private property with the owner's consent and city code compliance4. Tiny homes follow the Georgia building codes and local siting approval10.

Building a home in Marietta: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel's zoning district with Planning & Zoning at 770-794-56698.
  2. Check the flood map: new construction in Marietta's future-conditions floodplain must meet the city's flood damage rules, including raised lowest-floor elevations17.
  3. Confirm sewer or septic with Cobb & Douglas Public Health3.
  4. Apply for building permits with the City of Marietta's Permits & Inspections office at 770-794-56592.
  5. Schedule inspections; Georgia's mandatory state building codes apply whether or not a city enforces them locally18.

What stays with Cobb County, and what should you check before you buy in Marietta?

Cobb County's rules for unincorporated land, including its zoning map and building permit office, do not apply inside Marietta; see the Cobb County page for land outside city limits. Septic and wells remain with Cobb & Douglas Public Health and the county health department3.

Cobb County's typical home value is about $429,05119, and its effective property tax rate is 0.7%20. Cobb County is densely settled, with about 2,286 people per square mile21. Driveways onto a state route need a state permit from the Georgia DOT district office22.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Marietta's building permit fees, R-1 lot sizes or setbacks, or short-term rental rules; ask the City of Marietta Permits & Inspections and Planning & Zoning offices2.
  • Marietta's flood rules restrict new construction in the future-conditions floodplain, so check the flood status of any lot before you buy17.
  • The county's owner-builder permit applies to unincorporated Cobb County only; whether Marietta offers an equivalent is unconfirmed23.

Sources

  1. Marietta Zoning Ordinance 708.01 R-1 (Marietta), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Marietta Building Inspections (Permits & Inspections) (mariettaga.gov)
  3. Septic System Applications And Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  4. Marietta Code 10-4-030 camping in public places (Marietta), quoted and re-checked
  5. Marietta Zoning Ordinance 708.01 R-1 (Marietta), quoted and re-checked
  6. Marietta Zoning Ordinance 708.01 R-1 (Marietta), quoted and re-checked
  7. Residential and Commercial General Contractors Frequently Asked Questions (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Marietta Planning & Zoning (mariettaga.gov)
  9. Zoning Division, quoted and re-checked
  10. Georgia Tiny House Fact Sheet (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Marietta Zoning Ordinance 708.13 RHR (Marietta), quoted and re-checked
  12. Marietta Zoning Ordinance 708.13 RHR (Marietta), quoted and re-checked
  13. Residential Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  14. Septic System Applications And Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  15. GA DPH Onsite Sewage Manual (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Well Water, quoted and re-checked
  17. Marietta Code 7-8-10-050 flood damage reduction (Marietta), quoted and re-checked
  18. Mandatory and Permissive State Codes (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  20. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Regulations for Driveway & Encroachment Control Manual (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Homeowner Permit Request, quoted and re-checked

Written October 17, 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 Marietta

Marietta’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Marietta city limits

    “the r-1 district is intended to be used for low density single-family detached housing and residentially compatible uses requiring large amounts of open space.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    RHR Residential High-Rise district inside Marietta city; R-1 single-family figures not seen

    • R-1 bulk table was truncated and not reviewed.

    efficiency: >= 500 sq ft · 1 bedroom: >= 650 sq ft · 2 bedroom: >= 800 sq ft · 3 bedroom: >= 1000 sq ft

    “minimum floor area: 500 sq. ft. for an efficiency 650 sq. ft. for 1 bedroom unit 800 sq. ft. for 2 bedroom unit 1,000 sq. ft. for 3 bedroom unit”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    RHR district inside Marietta city

    • R-1 setbacks not reviewed.

    front setback arterial: >= 50 ft · rear setback: >= 40 ft

    “front setback (arterial): 50 ft. front setback (collector): 35 ft. front setback (local): 35 ft. side setback (major): 35 ft. side setback (minor): 30 ft. rear setback: 40 ft.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping inside Marietta city: prohibited on public property; on private property only with owner/leaseholder consent

    • Authorized private use must conform to the Code of Ordinances.
    “any such use of private property authorized by and consented to by the owner or leaseholder or other rightful occupant of such private property must be in conformity with the provisions of the code of ordinances of the city of marietta, georgia.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes in the R-1 district inside Marietta city (not a permitted dwelling there)

    • Other districts not reviewed.
    “single-family detached dwellings, but not including manufactured homes.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    One accessory dwelling unit in the R-1 district inside Marietta city

    • Located to the rear of the principal structure and no less than 10 feet from any property line
    • 5,000 square feet of lot area dedicated in addition to district requirements
    • No paying guests or tenants are housed
    • Height not exceeding principal structure; footprint not more than 50% of principal structure
    • Property owner must occupy principal structure or ADU
    • Allowed by the Director as temporary/conditional use

    maximum ADU footprint: <= 50 percent of principal structure footprint

    “the area of the structure's footprint may not exceed 50% that of the principal structure.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    New construction and substantial improvements in future-conditions floodplain inside Marietta city

    • Requirements of Subsections 7-8-10-040 C., D. and E. must be met
    • Lowest floor at least three feet above base flood elevation or one foot above future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher
    “new construction and substantial improvements of structures (residential or non-residential), including manufactured homes, shall not be allowed within the limits of the future-conditions floodplain unless all requirements of subsections 7-8-10-040 c., d. and e. have been met;”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Building permits inside Marietta city
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Marietta city
  • Building code adopted — Building code inside Marietta city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Marietta city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Marietta city
15 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Lot coverage
  • Tiny homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Marietta 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