Homeowner field guide · October 14, 2026
Tiny-house and campsite groundwork: plan before clearing
A tiny house, a camper parking space and a campground can need very different plans. Define what will occupy the property and how it will be used before choosing a pad, clearing trees or asking for a delivery date.
Decide who handles each part
| Part of the work | A useful division |
|---|---|
| Your planning work | Identify the parcel, intended use, building or camper type, occupancy and whether guests will pay. Gather supplier instructions and any existing site records. |
| Authority and specialists | Ask the local planning/building office about the actual use and site. Resolve foundation, utility, sanitation, access and drainage requirements with the appropriate providers. |
| Equipment work to discuss | Selected clearing, suitable access, material movement, gravel parking or an agreed preparation phase after requirements are established. |
| Work you may keep | Records, approved layout choices, suitable furnishings, planting and maintenance. Utility connections and foundation work remain separately defined. |
Work through the plan
Identify the use before buying the structure
Tell the local authority whether this is a permanent dwelling, temporary camping, a cabin or guest accommodation. Georgia DCA distinguishes RVs, manufactured homes, modular buildings and site-built dwellings. A seller’s delivery promise does not establish permission to use the parcel.
Get the supplier’s ground requirements
Confirm the building or unit’s support requirements, installation responsibility and delivery route. A gravel parking pad does not by itself establish a dwelling foundation. Include turning and unloading space in the site discussion.
Coordinate the underground work
Plan water, power and sanitation before finishing the surface. Existing septic locations and replacement areas need protection. Ask the appropriate authority and qualified providers about any proposed system; do not assume a plumber can add septic work without the required qualifications.
Make the first phase useful on its own
Price an agreed access and preparation phase only after the larger requirements are understood. List the finish, hauling, erosion control, future access and any return trips. For several campsites, clarify shared infrastructure before duplicating pads.
Ways to make the project more manageable
- For a simple private tent site, first consider a suitable existing durable area and minimal disturbance; read the private campsite guide.
- Arrange one approved pilot phase before developing a larger area, if the overall design and local requirements permit it.
- Combine compatible clearing and material-placement tasks when the site is ready, while leaving utility work in the required sequence.
Where rework starts
- Assuming a tiny building is automatically exempt from local review.
- Treating private family camping and a commercial campground as the same use.
- Finishing a pad before confirming utilities, sanitation and delivery access.
Finish and follow up
Keep the accepted site plan, supplier instructions and trade contacts together. Check drainage and the agreed surface after weather and use. Budget for continuing access, vegetation, surface and sanitation maintenance as applicable.
If you want help with one part
Send the town or ZIP, intended use, unit or site type, access photos, supplier requirements and the phase you want help with. Include whether this is for family use or a business.
Sources and editorial note
Planning guidance compiled October 14, 2026 with AI-assisted research and drafting. The sources support the principles named below. This is not a site assessment, construction specification or permission to begin work. Use current product instructions and the responsible local authority and qualified professionals for your project.
- Georgia DCA: Tiny House Fact Sheet — Explains building classifications and local authority over site matters; confirm current requirements for the actual parcel.
- Georgia DPH: installer certification — Certification requirements for onsite sewage work. No excavation-only exemption is assumed here.
- Georgia 811: public and private utility marking — Public utility responses do not cover every private line; arrange private locating where needed.
- Haralson County permits and licenses — A starting point for local review. Ask the authority for the actual property about its current requirements.
Before ground disturbance, complete the applicable 811 process, check utility responses and resolve private-line questions. A locate request alone is not clearance to dig.