Zoning Info
- Zoning and Development Essentials
- Zoning Ordinance
- Zoning districts fact sheet
- Zoning questions? Email Richard Osborne at osborner@bartowcountyga.gov
- Zoning and variance cases are Not guaranteed. A discussion is Not an assurance of issuance of a permit, license, or possible zoning change. The plan review process requires review/approval by multiple reviewers.
- Each month, max five (5) zoning applications may be accepted - no more than two (2) for residential developments.
- Find zoning of land from the county qPublic website. Click Here then 1) Search by address or parcel number 2) Click View Map 3) Click Bartow County Zoning layer on left then zoom in/out to see zoning code label (example green is A-1).
- Class is NOT zoning - Class is tax assessor appraisal/assessment info.
Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map
Bartow County and its cities, in partnership with State staff, completed a 5-year update in 2023 for the 2018-2028 comprehensive plan. View the Comprehensive Plan plus the Future Land Use Map.
Planning Commission
- PC next meeting October 28 at 6:00 PM, courthouse top floor Courtroom D, 135 W. Cherokee Ave, Cartersville. PC Agenda plus Cases summary and Presentation(COMING SOON).
- NOTE that the Hwy 140 rezoning application from A-1 to M-1 for mining for a limestone quarry by Georgia Stone Products LLC will be heard - for more info, click case Z-24-00053.
- County staff has submitted a text amendment application, case Z-24-00054, to 1) add new R-1 conditional use option for infill single-family homes; 2) sign standards revisions; and 3) revision to timeframe to reapply for a zoning case if it is denied and/or appealed.
- If you would like to speak at the meeting as an opponent, fill out and bring to the meeting a Disclosure form. See 2024 PC Calendar. PC holds public meetings - anyone can attend and speak.
- Applicable meeting of Commissioner Taylor will be November 13 at 10:00 AM in the courthouse main floor hearing room.
Board of Zoning Appeals
BZA will NOT meet in September or October since there are no applications for review. The next scheduled meeting would be on November 20 at 4:00 PM, courthouse basement hearing room, 135 W. Cherokee Ave, Cartersville. BZA holds public meetings - anyone can attend and speak. 2024 BZA Calendar.
What can be used as a single-family residence on a vacant lot?
- Conventional site-built house unless zoned for manufactured home.
- A-1 zoned lot 2 acres or more allows for manufactured home - also R-4 zoning.
- Manufactured homes are Not allowed on A-1 lots less than 2 acres unless in neighborhood with majority manufactured homes (example: Red Top Mtn Estates).
- Countywide, minimum 1,200 sqft heated area, minimum 5:12 roof pitch required for proposed house or manufactured home .
- Not allowed (prohibited) as a residence: tents, boats, RV campers, storage buildings, shipping containers, tiny homes.
- One main residence per lot zoned single-family residential (A-1, R-1, etc.)
- After residence is on lot, small site-built guest house (accessory dwelling unit) is an option.
Subdividing / Reconfiguring / Combining Land - Subdividing Land Fact Sheet
*** NOTE: for a basic lot split on a public road Not in a development with typical zoning like A-1 or R-1, each lot must have a minimum of 150 ft public road frontage.
1) If development with new roads and other new infrastructure, full platting and civil plans review process
2) If subdividing to split from 1 to 3 lots or more that will not result in new roads or significant infrastructure, email final plat plus engineering application and fire marshal application to plans@bartowcountyga.gov - you will be contacted about fee payment. Review by zoning, engineering, fire, water. Same process if further subdivide a parent or sub-parcel/lot/tract previously after December 5, 2012.
3) If lot split from 1 to 2 lots (if has Not been previously subdivided since December 5, 2012) or lot reconfiguration (changing property lines) or combination survey, email PDF to osborner@bartowcountyga.gov for review.
4) Boundary survey that does not change property lines and does not subdivide does not need staff review.
Rezoning or conditional use for development (subdivision, commercial, industrial, etc.)
1) Discuss water/sewer issues with provider. Obtain concept site plan prepared by a civil engineer.
2) Email concept plan to osborner@bartowcountyga.gov and coxm@bartowcountyga.gov and request a Thursday AM discussion mtg. Confirm with Mr. Osborne case needed - could be land use and rezoning or rezoning or conditional use or amendment of zoning conditions/text amendment or telecom/cell tower conditional use.
3) Obtain water/sewer availability/capacity letter from provider.
4) Review State DRI threshold - Bartow County is in the metro category. If needed, work with Mr. Osborne on forms before rezoning. If DRI needed, traffic impact study by a PE needs to be emailed to Mr. Osborne and Mr. Cox before rezoning.
5) Review Etowah Valley Overlay District and Map, Allatoona Overlay District and Map. Rome-Cartersville Development Corridor and Map. Complete items if applicable.
6) Email Mr. Osborne osborner@bartowcountyga.gov the application, concept site plan, water/sewer letter, example architectural renderings, letter of explanation to confirm requirements.
7) Staff will follow up with you to confirm legal requirements are met.
8) At least one project rep. must attend the Planning Commission and Commissioner's hearings.
Rezoning - basic - example: A-1 to R-1 for proposed lot split
1) Download a rezoning application.
2) Email osborner@bartowcountyga.gov to confirm requirements.
3) At least one project rep. must attend the Planning Commission and Commissioner's hearings.
Variance
1) Email osborner@bartowcountyga.gov to confirm eligibility and type of variance.
2) Download variance application or engineering variance or buffer reduction variance.
3) Email Mr. Osborne filled-out application, survey/plat, explanation letter. Complete needed follow up info.
4) At least one project rep. must attend the Board of Zoning Appeals hearing.
Accessory buildings (garage, storage bldg, etc) - Accessory building fact sheet
- For lots less than 2 acres (whether A-1 or residential zoning), residence must first be on property before accessory building. New building must be to the side or rear of the residence, max 50% of the size of the residence heated square feet, at least 10 ft from all property lines, cannot conflict with septic, cannot be commercial use. If on septic, first obtain existing septic letter from State EVHS/DPH confirming no conflicts.
- For accessory dwelling unit (guest house), discuss with staff.
- See accessory building fact sheet for more info including for lots 2 acres or greater.
- Buildings 400 sqft and larger require a county building permit.
Administrative Adjustment - Application
- Zoning staff is authorized per zoning ordinance standards to review proposals to allow minor adjustments to the ordinance standards by a maximum of 20% (whether increase or decrease).
- Example: if a lot has topography challenges in which a proposed single-family house may be appropriate to be a few feet closer to a property line than normal standards, an administrative adjustment may be considered.
- Not eligible: the majority of lots in a proposed residential development cannot use the same administrative adjustment to allow reduced setbacks, lot width, etc.
- Please discuss with zoning administrator Richard Osborne 770-607-6312.
Allatoona Overlay District - Allatoona Overlay District and Map
This area of southeast Bartow County has additional requirements, including design standards for new residential structures (No metal and No vinyl siding on exterior of structure).
DRI (Development of Regional Impact) - DRI Thresholds and Forms
Bartow County is in the metropolitan category. If DRI needed, complete process with staff before rezoning - also note county code requires submittal of PE-completed traffic impact study to county engineer before rezoning for DRI projects.
Etowah Valley Historic District - Etowah District Map and Code
Before rezoning or submittal of civil plans for developments, there are notification and archeological study requirements per county code for this designated river area corridor.
Extended Stay Hotel/Motel review/approval needed
Bartow County Code of Ordinances Chapter 44 (code may be viewed on municode.com) has standards for proposed extended stay hotel/motels including an application review process. Review the Extended Stay Hotel/Motel Application.
Exterior finish review requirements (residential, commercial)
Before a building permit can be issued for residential developments and commercial developments including PUD planned developments, four-sided architectural view plans need to be emailed for zoning staff review to osborner@bartowcountyga.gov based on design standards for zoning districts. This requirement does NOT apply to individual homes on existing lots Except in the Allatoona Overlay District (SE Bartow), which prohibits metal and vinyl exterior materials. A-1, I-1, I-2, M-1 districts do Not have exterior finish requirements. Check standards by zoning district in the Zoning Ordinance.
Fences
- Fences must be on private property, not in an easement, not in conflict with utilities or road sight visibility.
- No county permit needed, no max height. OK for chain-link, wood, metal, vinyl, and similar products.
Livestock animals
- Livestock animals are allowed on agriculture A-1 zoned land 2.1 acres or greater per county code (animal control and zoning ordinance) - chickens, roosters, pigs, goats, horses, cattle, etc.
- If someone has a single-family residential use property between 1 and 2 acres, the only allowed livestock would be hens (No roosters) with max 8 hens.
- Questions? Animal Control 770-387-5153.
Manufactured Homes - Manufactured Homes fact sheet
- Allowed on A-1 zoned lots that are 2 acres or greater as well as R-4 zoned lots. Confirm zoning with staff.
- Proposed manufactured homes must be minimum 1,200 sqft heated area, minimum 5:12 roof pitch.
- If in the Allatoona Overlay District, cannot have metal or vinyl exterior siding.
PGDD overlay district (Planned Greenspace and Development District) - PGDD Map
There are a few large properties in northeast Bartow (road frontage on Hwy 411, Stamp Creek Rd, etc.) in an overlay district called PGDD. View zoning approval resolution. All underlying zoning districts apply. View PGDD overlay district code section. There are overlay district standards plus zoning conditions.
Rome-Cartersville Development Corridor - RCDC Map and Ordinance
Review is needed for affected properties before permitting. This road project, which will be ongoing for the next 10 years, will be a limited access route from the intersection of Hwy 41 & 411 in the Cassville area to I-75 between exits 293 and 296. Questions? Email MPO Mr. Sills sillst@bartowcountyga.gov
Short-term rentals (AirBnB, VRBO, etc.)
Only one single-family residence per lot is eligible and must remain a single-family residential use property. Must be a safe, code compliant structure and property. Cannot be a nuisance to surrounding properties.
Signs - form on permits page
- New wall signs and freestanding/ground signs require permitting - must be at least 10 ft back from all private property lines.
- Small signs similar to 1 ft x 1 ft in size and no taller than 4 ft in height do Not require a permit but must be on private property.
- Banners on private property do Not require a permit.
- Signs in public road right-of-way are public safety concerns, are Not allowed (prohibited) per county code, and may be taken up by code enforcement staff at any time.
Special event permit - Special event permit application
If you want to have a large (100 persons or more) special event on residential/agricultural land that does Not have zoning and business license approval as an event venue, email osborner@bartowcountyga.gov a no-cost filled-out application for public safety review at least 45 days before the event.
Trees
On private property with an existing single-family residence, proposing to plant or cut down an individual tree does Not require a county permit. For larger projects, work with county engineering.
Zoning verification letter needed?
Email osborner@bartowcountyga.gov
Appeal
If you wish to file an appeal of a staff decision to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) or appeal a BZA decision to Commissioner Taylor, please file an Appeal application.
WE ACCEPT DEBIT AND CREDIT CARDS - 2.5% SERVICE CHARGE.
Goals of the Planning and Zoning division
1) Ensure orderly growth in conformance with the comprehensive plan, planning principals and policies.
2) Implement the comprehensive plan and administer and enforce zoning in a professional and effective manner.
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Contact
Richard Osborne AICP
Zoning Administrator
osborner@bartowcountyga.gov
Phone: 770-607-6312
135 West Cherokee Avenue
Cartersville, Georgia 30120
1st Floor (lower level) - Suite 124
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, excluding holidays