Bolthole Index

Union County, Georgia

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Union County, Georgia

65Index Score / 100
#89 of 159 in Georgia

Union County, Georgia requires building permits for dwellings, including RVs, tiny homes and yurts used as residences; Building & Development handles building permits and inspections12. For unincorporated land, ask Building & Development to confirm the parcel's land-use rules and setbacks342. Septic construction permits come through the County Health Department and Board of Health before lot development begins; Union County Environmental Health is the local contact567.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for dwellings and many land-disturbing projects8
Zoning
County Land Use ordinance identified; confirm current scope and parcel rules with Building & Development32
Septic
County Health Department construction permit required before developing a lot served by septic56
RV living
A permit is required when an RV is used as a residence; full siting rules remain unconfirmed9
Tiny homes
Residential tiny homes allowed subject to building permits, codes and site approval1011
Owner-builder
State contractor-license exemption available; county permits still apply12
Conventional septic soils
Only 3.8% of soils are rated not limited for conventional drain fields; site evaluation remains essential13
Permit term
Building permits are valid for one year1

Who to call

Building permits

Union County Building & Development Department

Building permits, building inspections, land-disturbance permits and environmental enforcement.

706-439-6045

ucpermit@uniongov.com

46 Hughes Street Suite A Blairsville, GA 30512

Septic permits

Union County Environmental Health (District 2 Public Health)

Local environmental-health procedures for onsite sewage, site review and inspections.

706-781-3824

46 Hughes Street, Suite B Blairsville, GA 30512

Floodplain permits

Union County Building & Development Department

Building and land-disturbance permits, including projects in designated flood-hazard areas.

706-439-6045

ucpermit@uniongov.com

46 Hughes Street Suite A Blairsville, GA 30512

Roads & driveways

Union County Road Department

Maintenance of Union County roads and right-of-way questions.

706-439-6062

ucroad@uniongov.com

311 Industrial Boulevard Blairsville, GA 30512

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Union County 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.

Do you need a building permit in Union County, Georgia?

Union County requires a building permit for dwellings, accessory structures larger than 150 square feet, footprint changes, projects needing water, sewer or electrical connections, land disturbance, and work in designated stream-buffer or flood-hazard areas1. Mobile homes and RVs, tiny homes, yurts or other alternative habitable structures used as residences also require building permits1. Obtain required permits and inspections before grading or starting the project; building permits expire after one year and then require renewal or a new permit8. Georgia's mandatory construction codes apply in Union County, and the county inspects all phases of new residential and commercial construction1415. For permits dated January 1, 2026 or later, Union County lists the 2024 Residential Code, subject to Georgia amendments16. Georgia's owner-builder contractor-license exemption still requires compliance with local building codes and regulations12.

Who issues building permits in Union County, Georgia, and how do you reach them?

The Union County Building & Development Department issues building permits, conducts building inspections, issues land-disturbance permits and handles environmental enforcement2. The office is at 46 Hughes Street Suite A in Blairsville; call 706-439-6045 or email ucpermit@uniongov.com2. A building-permit application calls for project and property information, a recorded plat, a site plan showing setbacks from property lines and bodies of water, the deed, floor plans and applicable supporting approvals1718. Supporting material may include culvert or DOT driveway approval, an elevation certificate, engineering, a septic permit, state environmental paperwork or an erosion-control plan17. Applications may be sent by email or fax17. Published charges include $500 for the initial commercial plan review, $100 for each commercial revision and $50 for each Building Department inspection; the commercial figures are not a complete residential fee schedule1920. Ask Building & Development for the residential building-permit total for your project2.

Does Union County have zoning?

Union County has a Land Use ordinance identified for unincorporated areas, but we could not confirm the current scope of general zoning or a complete district map; ask Building & Development for the parcel's applicable ordinance and permitted uses32. A county building-permit submission must include a recorded plat and site plan showing setbacks from property lines and bodies of water; the published application instructions do not specify the setback distances418. We could not confirm minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, accessory-dwelling occupancy, lot coverage or general building-height limits; request the applicable written standards from Building & Development before choosing a house plan2. Site-built or modular tiny homes need local siting approval, and applicable local zoning may control dimensions, foundation and minimum lot or building size11.

How do septic permits work in Union County, Georgia?

Union County requires a County Health Department septic construction permit before physical development of a lot or structure that will use an onsite sewage system, as well as before system installation521. Apply on County Board of Health forms with property details, plans, proposed use, water supplies, bedrooms or persons served and soil information; a favorable site inspection is required before issuance5. Union County Environmental Health is the local contact at 46 Hughes Street, Suite B in Blairsville, phone 706-781-38247. Septic permits last no more than 12 months, and repairs, replacements and additions also require permits and inspections; final written approval is required before backfilling or use5. These inspection rules do not establish periodic inspections for every existing system22. Only 3.8% of Union County soils are rated not limited for conventional drain fields, so obtain a site evaluation; a low rating does not make septic impossible13. State rules require sewer connection when public or community sewer is available within 200 feet of the property line or in an abutting public right-of-way23.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Union County?

Union County requires a building permit for an RV used as a part-time or full-time residence, but that requirement does not establish where an RV may be placed or how long occupancy may last9. We could not confirm full RV-duration or private-land temporary-camping rules; ask Building & Development for a written parcel-specific answer before moving an RV onto the land2. Residential tiny homes are allowed subject to county building permits and applicable codes, inspections, site and septic requirements; site-built or modular tiny homes also need local siting approval1011. Mobile or manufactured homes require county building permits, and used homes moved within or into Union County need county evaluation under the Manufactured Homes and Trailer Ordinance24. A licensed installer must also obtain the Georgia manufactured-home installation permit25. Alternative onsite sanitation remains subject to applicable health approvals and inspections26.

What are the steps to build a home in Union County?

  1. Ask Building & Development for the parcel's applicable land-use rules and setback distances; the site plan must show setbacks from property lines and water42.
  1. Apply through Union County Environmental Health for septic site review and obtain the septic construction permit before developing a lot that will use an onsite system57.
  1. Confirm access: a driveway itself does not need a county building permit, but a building application may need culvert or approved DOT driveway documentation27. Ask the Road Department about county-road right-of-way at 706-439-606228.
  1. Submit the building application, recorded plat, site plan, deed, floor plans and applicable supporting approvals to Building & Development17.
  1. Obtain required building permits and inspections before grading or starting work, and renew the building permit or obtain a new one if the one-year term expires8.
  1. Complete building inspections and obtain final written septic approval before backfilling or using the system155.

What should you check before buying land in Union County?

Start with septic feasibility: only 3.8% of Union County soils are rated not limited for a conventional drain field, so a parcel needs site evaluation13. Then check terrain, because only 14.3% of county land has a slope of 15% or less, while 88.6% is wooded2930. Ask Building & Development whether the build area touches a designated flood-hazard area or stream buffer, because any structure or disturbance there requires a county building permit before grading or project start; an elevation certificate and other environmental approvals may also apply313233. For a state-highway entrance, driveway work within the state right-of-way requires an application through the appropriate Georgia DOT district office34. If rental income is part of the plan, unincorporated Union County caps short-term-rental licenses at 5% of housing units, and septic capacity helps determine allowed occupancy35. For a private well, use a licensed contractor; the contractor must notify the county health department before drilling, but the rule does not describe a separate homeowner permit36.

Watch-outs

  • A residential RV or tiny home needs a county permit, but we could not confirm the full occupancy-duration and parcel-siting rules; get a written parcel-specific answer from Building & Development92.
  • Only 3.8% of Union County soils are rated not limited for conventional drain fields; obtain Environmental Health's site evaluation before committing to a build site137.
  • Any structure or disturbance in a designated flood-hazard area or stream buffer requires a county building permit before work begins; ask Building & Development about elevation certificates and additional environmental approvals3133.

Sources

  1. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  2. Union County Building & Development Department (unioncountyga.gov)
  3. Union County Code of Ordinances (Ch. 44 Land Use) (2026 county census)
  4. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  5. On-Site Sewage Management Systems Manual, quoted and re-checked
  6. On-Site Sewage Management Systems Manual, quoted and re-checked
  7. Union County Environmental Health (District 2 Public Health) (phdistrict2.org)
  8. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  9. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  11. Georgia Tiny House Fact Sheet (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. sos.ga.gov, quoted and re-checked
  13. 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
  14. Mandatory and Permissive State Codes, quoted and re-checked
  15. Building Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  16. Building Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  17. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  18. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  19. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  20. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  21. Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems, quoted and re-checked
  22. Onsite Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  23. GA DPH Onsite Sewage Manual (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  25. Manufactured Housing (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  28. Union County Road Department (unioncountyga.gov)
  29. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Building Permits | Union County, GA, quoted and re-checked
  32. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  33. Union County Building & Development Department (unioncountyga.gov)
  34. Regulations for Driveway & Encroachment Control Manual (Georgia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  35. Union County Short-Term Rental Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  36. Well Water, quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Union County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleUnion CountyTowns CountyFannin CountyWhite CountyLumpkin CountyRabun CountyDawson County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesNoNoYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Env. HealthCounty Health Dept.County Env. Health Dept.County Env. HealthCounty Env. HealthCounty Env. HealthCounty Env. Health

County locator

Union County in Georgia

65
County map
Union County highlighted among the Georgia counties · colored by Index score

How Union County scores

Seclusion46100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.
Admin Boringness45100% ev.
Durability63100% ev.
Property Autonomy56100% ev.
Carry Cost62100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$391kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$8,109Land / acre
63.9"Annual rain
8.6% of yrsSevere drought
0.6 / yr (+0.6)Mid-century 100°F days
12.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.55" (+9.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.48×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,636Home insurance / yr
1.6% / yrInsurance growth
1%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
41,899People within 30 min
5,851,060People within 2 hr
48,082Radius comparison (15 mi)
84.2People / sq mi
36.6%Federal land
14.3%Land at 15% slope or less
3.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
7,156 acWorkable land screen
88.6%Wooded land
78.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
56.1°FAvg temp

Scout Union County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Union County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Cities and towns in Union County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Answers from the rulebook for Union County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Union County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction projects in Union County, including dwellings, accessory structures over 150 square feet, footprint alterations, utility connections, designated stream-buffer or flood-hazard locations, mountain-protection tree removal, and land disturbance.

    • Examples of permit-required projects include commercial and residential buildings, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, tiny homes, yurts, alternative habitable structures used as residences, and additions or system modifications.
    • Examples listed as not requiring permits include roofing-material or siding changes, floor-covering replacement, painting, wallpapering, sidewalks, driveways, and fences.
    • Permits and inspections are required before grading or project start.
    • Permits are valid for one year from issue; renewal or a new permit is then required.
    “Union County requires a building permit for all construction projects that: Are Dwellings (Part-Time or Full-Time) Are Accessory Structures over 150sf Alter the Existing Footprint of a Structure Require Water, Sewer, or Electric Connection Are Located Within a Designated Stream Buffer or Flood Hazard Area Require Tree Removal in a Designated Mountain Protection Area. Require Any Land Disturbance of Property.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Dwellings, accessory structures over 150 square feet, footprint alterations, utility connections, flood-hazard or stream-buffer work, mountain-protection work, and land disturbance in Union County.
      “Union County requires a building permit for all construction projects that: Are Dwellings (Part-Time or Full-Time) [...] Are Accessory Structures over 150sf [...] Require Water, Sewer, or Electric Connection [...] Are Located Within a Designated Stream Buffer or Flood Hazard Area [...] Require Any Land Disturbance of Property.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Permits issued by Union County on or after January 1, 2026.

    • Codes are subject to Georgia Amendments.
    • The page lists the 2024 International Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, Residential, NFPA 101, and Pool and Spa codes; the National Electrical Code is listed as 2023 and the Energy Conservation Code as 2015.

    permit date threshold: >= 2026-01-01

    “Mandatory Georgia state minimum standard code editions for permits dated January 1, 2026 or after:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New residential and commercial construction in Union County.

    • Inspections are required before grading or project start according to the county permit page.
    • Private professional-provider procedures and insurance requirements may apply under the cited page's July 1, 2026 notice.
    “Building inspections are conducted on all phases of new residential and commercial construction projects”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New residential and commercial construction in Union County.
      “Building inspections are conducted on all phases of new residential and commercial construction projects to ensure that minimum code standards are met.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Structures built or placed on property in Union County, Georgia, for which a building permit is sought.

    • A recorded plat and site plan must show setbacks from property lines and any bodies of water.
    • The page does not state the required setback dimensions, district-specific variations, exceptions, or effective date.
    • Other necessary information may include a culvert permit, approved DOT driveway permit, elevation certificate, engineered plans, septic permit, Georgia EPD Notice of Intent, and approved Erosion and Sediment plan.

    site-plan setback depiction: Required for property-line and body-of-water setbacks

    “A recorded plat of the property on which the structure will be located with a site plan showing setbacks from property lines and any bodies of water.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Structures requiring a Union County building permit in the county-administered area; the permit submission must show property-line and body-of-water setbacks.
      “A recorded plat of the property on which the structure will be located with a site plan showing setbacks from property lines and any bodies of water.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles used as part-time or full-time residences in Union County.

    • The county lists recreational vehicles used as part-time or full-time residences among projects requiring a building permit.
    • This claim does not establish the full occupancy-duration or siting rules.
    “Recreational vehicles, tiny homes, yurts, or any alternative habitable structures used as a part-time or full-time residence”
  • Tiny homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Tiny homes used as part-time or full-time residences in Union County.

    • A building permit is required.
    • Applicable building codes, inspections, site, septic, utility, flood-hazard, and land-disturbance requirements may apply.
    “Commercial and residential buildings [...] Recreational vehicles, tiny homes, yurts, or any alternative habitable structures used as a part-time or full-time residence”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Tiny homes used as part-time or full-time residences in Union County.
      “Recreational vehicles, tiny homes, yurts, or any alternative habitable structures used as a part-time or full-time residence”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Mobile or manufactured homes placed or moved into Union County.

    • A building permit is required for mobile homes.
    • Used manufactured mobile homes moved within or into Union County require county evaluation.
    • Manufactured Homes and Trailer Ordinance provisions also apply.
    “Commercial and residential buildings [...] Mobile homes [...] Manufactured mobile home evaluations for used homes being moved within or into Union County”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Mobile or manufactured homes in Union County.
      “Mobile homes [...] Manufactured mobile home evaluations for used homes being moved within or into Union County”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    On-site sewage management systems in Union County, administered through the County Health Department and County Board of Health under Georgia Department of Public Health rules.

    • The Georgia Department of Public Health identifies Union County as served by District 2 / Gainesville / North Health District and lists a Union County Health Department.
    • The County Board of Health determines site suitability, may deny or revoke permits, and performs inspections and approvals under the state rules.
    “forms provided by the County Board of Health.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Mixed (with conditions) — On-site sewage management services for Union County through Georgia DPH and its local environmental health structure.
      “Counties served: Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White”
    • County (with conditions) — On-site sewage permits and inspections for Union County properties.
      “No person may begin the physical development of a lot or structure where an on-site sewage management system will be utilized, nor install an on-site sewage management system or component thereof, without having first obtained from the County Health Department a construction permit for the installation of an onsite sewage management system.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Physical development of a lot or structure where an on-site sewage management system will be used, and installation of such systems or components, in Union County.

    • A written application must be made on forms provided by the County Board of Health.
    • The application must include owner/applicant information, property location, plans and specifications, facility type, utilities and water supplies, bedrooms or persons served, soil characteristics, owner or agent signature, and any additional information needed to determine site suitability.
    • Repairs, replacements, and additions to existing systems must be permitted and inspected.
    • Permits issue only after County Board of Health site inspection shows favorable findings.
    • A public water supply must be approved before an on-site sewage construction permit may issue.
    • Permits remain valid for not more than twelve months from issuance.
    • No person may backfill or use the system until final inspection and written approval by the County Board of Health.
    • Frequent-flooding areas should not be considered for installation of on-site sewage management systems.

    application decision deadline: 20 days after receipt of completed application · permit validity: <= 12 months from date of issue

    “without having first obtained from the County Health Department a construction permit for the installation of an onsite sewage management system.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New, repaired, replaced, or added-to onsite sewage systems in Union County.

    • A final inspection and written approval are required before backfilling or use.
    • Construction permits issue only after a favorable site inspection.
    • Repairs, replacements, and additions must be permitted and inspected.
    “final inspection has been made by the County Board of Health”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Building-permit projects in Union County where driveway approval is required.

    • The county identifies an approved DOT driveway permit as potentially necessary supporting information; the source does not state that every driveway requires one.
    • The county permit page separately lists sidewalks and driveways among examples that do not require a building permit.
    “Other necessary information may include but is not limited to a culvert permit, an approved DOT driveway permit, an elevation certificate, engineered plans, a septic permit, a GA EPD Notice of Intent, and an approved Erosion and Sediment plan.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Projects in Union County for which a driveway permit is necessary.
      “Other necessary information may include but is not limited to a culvert permit, an approved DOT driveway permit, an elevation certificate, engineered plans, a septic permit, a GA EPD Notice of Intent, and an approved Erosion and Sediment plan.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    All construction projects, structures, or disturbances located within a designated flood hazard area in Union County, Georgia.

    • A building permit is required for construction projects located within a designated flood hazard area.
    • Permits and inspections are required before grading or the start of a project.
    • The permit application may require additional information, including an elevation certificate, engineered plans, a septic permit, a Georgia EPD Notice of Intent, or an approved Erosion and Sediment plan, as applicable.
    • Commercial plan review costs $500 cash or check at initial submission; each revision costs $100 cash or check at submission.
    • Building permits are valid for one year from the date of issue, after which renewal or a new permit is required.
    “Union County requires a building permit for all construction projects that: Are Located Within a Designated Stream Buffer or Flood Hazard Area”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction or structures located within a designated flood hazard area or stream buffer in Union County.
      “Are Located Within a Designated Stream Buffer or Flood Hazard Area”
    • Required — Construction projects located within a designated stream buffer or flood hazard area in Union County.
      “Any structure or disturbance located in a designated stream buffer or flood hazard area”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals in unincorporated Union County.

    • STR licenses are capped at 5% of total housing units as reported annually by the County Tax Assessor.
    • For STRs served by on-site septic, occupancy is based on bedrooms permitted by the septic permit or a Union County Environmental Health performance evaluation if no septic permit is on file.
    • Overnight occupancy may not exceed two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons per residence, and may not exceed 15 overnight persons.
    • Daytime occupancy equals twice overnight occupancy.
    • All applicable life-safety codes and other ordinance requirements apply.

    STR license cap: <= 5 percent of total housing units (reported annually by the Union County Tax Assessor) · maximum overnight occupancy: <= 15 persons · daytime occupancy: 2 times overnight occupancy

    “This license applies to all short-term rentals in unincorporated Union County. [...] Total number of STR licenses in Union County are limited to no more than 5% of total number of housing units as reported by the Union County Tax Assessor’s Office annually.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Fees stated on the Union County building-permit page.

    • The $500 and $100 fees are stated for commercial plan review and revisions, not as a complete residential fee schedule.
    • The county license-fee PDF separately lists a $50 Building Department fee for each inspection.

    commercial plan review fee: 500 USD (cash or check due at initial submission) · commercial plan review revision fee: 100 USD (cash or check due at submission) · building department inspection fee: 50 USD (fee schedule entry)

    “A commercial Plan Review fee of $500 cash or check is due at the time of initial submission. Each revision requires a fee of $100 in cash or check at the time of submission.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Commercial building permit plan review submissions in Union County.
      “A commercial Plan Review fee of $500 cash or check is due at the time of initial submission. Each revision requires a fee of $100 in cash or check at the time of submission.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications for structures built or placed on property in Union County.

    • Submit a completed building-permit application.
    • Provide owner, site, project, lot-size, value, project-type, and licensed-builder or subcontractor-affidavit information.
    • Provide a recorded plat and site plan showing setbacks and bodies of water, recorded ownership deed, plans/floor plans, and any necessary culvert, DOT driveway, elevation, engineered-plan, septic, EPD, or erosion-control documents.
    • Applications may be submitted by email or fax.
    • Permits are valid for one year from issue.
    “To obtain a building permit for a structure built or placed on your property, the following information must be submitted before it is issued.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Building-permit applications for structures built or placed in Union County.
      “To obtain a building permit for a structure built or placed on your property, the following information must be submitted before it is issued.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Union County administers a Land Use ordinance (Code of Ordinances Chapter 44) that functions as county land-use/zoning regulation for unincorporated areas.

    Union County Code of Ordinances (Ch. 44 Land Use) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Georgia rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner building the owner's own home in Georgia, including Union County.

    • The Georgia Secretary of State directs owners to check with the local authority having jurisdiction and comply with all required local building codes and regulations.
    • Union County requires building permits for dwellings and its permit process requires the information and submissions stated on the county Building Permits page.
    “Georgia does not require that you hold a license to build your own home; however, check with your local authority having jurisdiction to ensure you comply with all required local building codes and regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — An owner building the owner's own home in Georgia, as an exemption from the state residential/general contractor licensing requirement.
      “Georgia does not require that you hold a license to build your own home; [...] comply with all required local building codes and regulations.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificate-of-occupancy issuance for Georgia construction projects where the applicable county or municipality requires or administers one.

    • Only a local governing authority may issue a certificate of occupancy.
    • Inspections may be necessary or required for issuance according to the governing authority's requirements.
    • The cited state materials do not establish a certificate-of-occupancy requirement for every building statewide.
    “Only a local governing authority shall be authorized to issue a certificate of occupancy.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Georgia zoning authority and local zoning-district systems.

    • The state source establishes local-government authority to use zoning but does not publish the zoning districts for any particular parcel, county, or municipality.
    • The applicable zoning ordinance and district must be identified from the parcel's county or municipality.
    “It contains the Zoning Procedures Law which gives local governments the authority to use zoning to manage development activities.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Zoning regulation and zoning districts used to manage development activities in Georgia.
      “It contains the Zoning Procedures Law which gives local governments the authority to use zoning to manage development activities.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation using privies, approved alternative onsite sewage systems, or certified composting toilets in Georgia.

    • Privies must meet the Manual's minimum design and construction criteria.
    • Alternative onsite sewage systems must be approved by the Department and meet the Manual's minimum design and construction criteria.
    • Composting toilets must be certified by the National Sanitation Foundation to current Standard 41 or certified by the manufacturer as meeting a nationally recognized standard.
    • Applicable County Board of Health permits and inspections remain required where the system is an onsite sewage management system.
    “composting toilets may be considered”
  • Well permitLimited

    Individual private wells drilled in Union County under Georgia well standards.

    • The well contractor must be licensed.
    • Before actual construction, the contractor must notify the county health department of intent to drill.
    • The source describes notification and standards, not a separate homeowner permit.

    minimum distance from septic tank: >= 50 feet · minimum distance from septic absorption field: >= 100 feet · minimum distance from sewer line: >= 10 feet

    “the water well contractor must notify the county health department of the intent to drill a water well”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Domestic and other water-well construction in Georgia.
      “certain county health departments require well construction permits prior to well construction”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Buildings, residences, and properties designed or intended for human occupancy or congregation in Georgia when a public or community sewage treatment system is available.

    • Connection is required when a public or community sewage treatment system is available within 200 feet of the property line or in a public right-of-way abutting the property.
    • If an existing onsite sewage system fails, immediate connection to a public or community sewerage system is required if such a system is available.
    • If a public or community sewage treatment system is to be constructed, an existing public or community sewer is to be extended to serve a lot, or an approved onsite sewage management system is to be used, the building sewer must be installed to ensure gravity flow at a self-cleaning velocity throughout.
    • A residential onsite sewage system of less than 2,000 gallons per day that is failing may be exempted from connecting to sewer if repair or replacement meets the Manual for Onsite Sewage Management Systems criteria and the County Board of Health determines that sufficient area and usable soils exist.

    sewer availability distance: <= 200 feet from property line (A public right-of-way abutting the property is an alternative availability condition.) · failing residential onsite sewage system flow: < 2000 gallons per day (The County Board of Health must determine sufficient area and usable soils, and repair or replacement must meet the Manual for Onsite Sewage Management Systems criteria.)

    “Connection shall be made to a public or community sewage treatment system if such system is available within two hundred feet (200') of the property line, or available in a public right-of-way abutting the property. [...] If an existing on-site sewage system fails, immediate connection shall be made to a public or community sewerage system if such a system is available. (b) A residential on-site sewage system of less than two thousand gallons per day that is failing may be exempted from connecting to sewer if the repair or replacement of the system will meet the criteria set forth in the Manual for Onsite Sewage Management Systems and has sufficient area and usable soils as determined by the County Board of Health.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Bona fide agricultural and/or timber property qualifying for Georgia conservation-use current-use assessment.

    • The property must be devoted to a qualifying conservation use.
    • The property must be maintained in a qualifying use for ten years.
    • The owner must file the application with the county board of tax assessors by the county deadline for filing ad valorem tax returns.
    • This is a property-tax assessment benefit and does not itself establish an exemption from local zoning or building regulations.

    assessment basis: 40 percent of current use value · minimum covenant period: >= 10 years

    “Real property that is devoted to bona fide conservation uses is assessed at 40% of its current use value.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Farm buildings or structures qualifying under Georgia law for exemption from the state minimum standard building codes.
      “exempts such buildings from the state minimum standard building codes.”
    • Available (with conditions) — Crop-management and animal-husbandry practices involved in producing agricultural or farm products on private property in Georgia.
      “regulating crop management or animal husbandry practices involved in the production of agricultural or farm products on any private property.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Statewide Georgia legal framework for subdivision creation and enforcement of properly adopted county subdivision ordinances.

    • County subdivision ordinances and regulations remain enforceable against the developer or owner seeking to create the subdivision.
    • Local subdivision ordinances may not alter the superior-court clerk’s mandatory recording duties or add recording requirements beyond those prescribed by general law.
    • The source is an Attorney General opinion addressing the recording statute and local subdivision regulation.
    “All of the properly adopted ordinances and regulations of a county remain fully enforceable against the developer or owner seeking to create the subdivision.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Creation and recording of subdivisions and subdivision plats in Georgia, subject to applicable state recording law and properly adopted local subdivision ordinances.
      “All of the properly adopted ordinances and regulations of a county remain fully enforceable against the developer or owner seeking to create the subdivision.”
    • Limited — Creation and recording of subdivisions and subdivision plats in Georgia, subject to applicable county and municipal ordinances and statutory plat-recording rules.
      “All of the properly adopted ordinances and regulations of a county remain fully enforceable against the developer or owner seeking to create the subdivision.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Georgia counties exercising zoning power over unincorporated areas within their territorial boundaries.

    • The Zoning Procedures Law confirms local-government zoning authority generally; it does not require a local government to exercise zoning power.
    • For counties, territorial boundaries are the unincorporated areas and certain areas defined in O.C.G.A. § 36-70-2(5.1).
    • County zoning ordinances and zoning decisions remain subject to the statutory minimum procedures, including public-hearing and notice requirements.
    • The statute defines zoning to include districting property for various uses, prohibiting other uses within zones or districts, and regulating development and improvement of real estate within those zones or districts.
    “While recognizing and confirming the authority of local governments to exercise zoning power within their respective territorial boundaries [...] “Local government” means any county or municipality”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Georgia counties administering and enforcing state minimum construction codes, including residential construction in unincorporated areas.

    • Local governments must adopt reasonable administrative provisions for administering and enforcing state minimum standard codes.
    • Those administrative powers include inspecting buildings, employing inspectors and other personnel, requiring permits and establishing permit charges, and contracting with other local governments for code enforcement.
    • A local government may choose which mandatory state codes it locally enforces, but any mandatory code locally enforced must use the latest edition and DCA amendments.
    • Local amendments may not be less stringent than the state minimum code, must be based on local climatic, geologic, topographic, or public-safety factors, require legislative findings identifying the need, and must be submitted to DCA 60 days before proposed adoption.
    • Local amendments must be filed with DCA after adoption.
    “These powers include: [...] Requiring permits and to establishment charges for said permits; and Contracting with other local governments for code enforcement.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning rules across Union County and incorporated municipalities.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Union County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Union County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Union County.
  • Building height — Building-height limits in Union County.
2 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Accessory dwellings

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.

Living off-grid in Union County, Georgia

Is Union County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Union County scores 65/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and limited workable ground: 14.3% at 15% slope or less and 3.8% without a severe conventional-septic limitation.

Do you need a building permit in Union County, Georgia?

Union County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Union County Environmental Health (North Health District, District 2, GA DPH). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Union County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Union County is limited to specific cases: Recreational vehicles used as part-time or full-time residences in Union County. The county lists recreational vehicles used as part-time or full-time residences among projects requiring a building permit. This claim does not establish the full occupancy-duration or siting rules. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Union County, Georgia?

Land in Union County runs about $8,109 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Union County?

Union County gets about 63.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.6% of years.

How remote is Union County?

A representative private-land location has about 41,899 people within a 30-minute drive and 5,851,060 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Union compares in Georgia

Compare side-by-side →See all 159 Georgia counties ranked →