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Can you put a tiny house in your backyard in Georgia?

Are tiny houses legal in Georgia? Georgia does not have a statewide tiny house law. This matter is left up to individual towns and cities. You can expect tiny houses to be legal throughout the state given that they follow local code and aren't explicitly barred.

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Tiny houses are legal in most of Georgia , but you’ll have to navigate differing local laws and quickly-changing municipal ordinances. In order to meet building and safety standards, you’ll need to become fluent in the housing laws in your city and state. If you’re looking to downsize your living space from a house or apartment, Georgia is a great place to do it—but you will need to carefully plan your move into a tiny house to comply with local and state zoning codes and ordinances. Getting everything up to code standards is much easier said than done. That’s why Jerry , the trusted brokerage app for car and home insurance , compiled a guide for tiny houses in the Peach State. We’ll answer your questions about tiny houses and get you started in the right direction. RECOMMENDED Compare auto insurance policies No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever ZIP Code ZIP Code Find insurance savings (100% Free)

Are tiny houses legal in Georgia?

Georgia does not have a statewide tiny house law . This matter is left up to individual towns and cities. You can expect tiny houses to be legal throughout the state given that they follow local code and aren’t explicitly barred. Regulations for tiny houses vary significantly across cities. For example, certain areas of Atlanta have strict rules on tiny houses, while there are several tiny home communities in the state of Georgia.

Georgia cities that allow tiny houses

Since there is no statewide law regarding tiny houses, they are allowed throughout the state. Most major cities in Georgia allow tiny houses, including:

Atlanta

Columbus

Savannah

Macon

Albany

The city of Calhoun, Georgia had a ban on tiny homes, but they were sued in 2021 for not allowing them. The lawsuit will challenge the ban on tiny homes on the grounds that it violates the Due Process Clause in the Georgia Constitution.

What kinds of tiny houses are permitted in Georgia?

According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs , tiny homes are generally defined as single-family houses at or smaller than 400 square feet, and lofts are not included. The department outlines four kinds of tiny homes:

Manufactured (mobile) homes

Recreational vehicles (RVs)

Residential (modular) industrialized buildings

Site-built dwellings

The regulations for these four kinds of tiny houses can vary, but state building codes usually only apply to site-built dwellings and modular dwellings . Manufactured homes and RVs are regulated under HUD and DMV standards.

What does a tiny house need to be up to Georgia building code?

Georgia building code has a few requirements tiny homes need to meet. To meet these standards, a tiny house has to have all of the following:

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A minimum of 320 square feet of land

A minimum size of 120 square feet

At least one habitable room containing an openable window and a closet

Ceilings at least 6’8” tall

Rooms not meant for sleeping are at least 70 square feet

There are also basic requirements you’ll need to meet for carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, emergency exits, light, plumbing, and ventilation. If you’re looking to own the smallest house available, you might be able to downsize even more by building an Efficiency Dwelling Unit (EDU) . It must have a living room 220 square feet or larger, and every additional resident beyond two needs an additional 100 square feet of space.

You’ll also need:

A kitchen sink

A separate closet

Cooking appliances

Refrigeration appliances

All kitchen appliances you have are required to have a “clear working space” of 30 inches or more—stacking hot plates and other devices won’t work out!

What about tiny houses on wheels?

Most places in Georgia also allow tiny houses on wheels (THOWs) . The regulations for THOWs are different than the rules for other kinds of tiny houses: Design : If you decide on a THOW, it will need to look like a traditional living space.

Interior space : The floor area is 400 square feet or less.

Licensing : RVs and other similar homes on wheels are licensed and regulated through the Georgia Department of Transportation and your local county vehicle licensing agency. Living functions : THOWs are required to have basic facilities and spaces for sleeping, cooking, and maintaining personal hygiene. Size : THOWs need to meet the codes specified by the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. Skirting : The bottom of your THOW must be skirted, including the wheels. Towing : Since your THOW can’t move on its own, you will need to be able to tow it using a frame-towing hitch, fifth-wheel connection, or a bumper hitch. Key Takeaway Tiny houses can be built on a foundation or on wheels (THOW), but each style must adhere to different regulations.

Where can I park my tiny house in Georgia?

Here’s another common question that comes up with tiny houses: where can I park mine ? If you live in Georgia, the answer will come from your local city laws and zoning codes. The municipal codes and regulations will decide where you can build or park your new tiny house. You might be able to park your tiny house in your backyard or at a friend’s if you don’t have the space. Georgia is also home to a few tiny house communities and RV parks —the major ones are located in Macon, Menlo, and Pine Mountain.

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How to build a tiny house in Georgia

So you’ve decided to build your new tiny house, but you’ll need to follow this checklist to build in the Peach State:

Choose the type of tiny house you want. Do you want to go full cottagecore in your backyard, or do you want the convenience of a mobile THOW?

Read over local laws and regulations. Utilize the resources at your local library to learn the specific legal requirements for your tiny house. Pick a building company. There are companies that specifically build tiny houses, and they are a great resource in understanding the legal requirements you have to follow! Decide on a location. You might simply put your tiny house in a bigger backyard, or you may want to move somewhere with zoning codes that are easier to understand and comply with. Shop around for homeowners insurance. Once your tiny house is finished, you’ll need a homeowners insurance policy. It’s not technically required by law, but a policy will cover your new tiny house from unforeseen perils.

How to find the best homeowners insurance in Georgia

You may decide to go with a tiny house, but you'll still need to find homeowners insurance —which can be a major hassle no matter the size of your living space. Put your home insurance on autopilot with Jerry the insurance super app. Jerry is the easiest and most effective way to find a home or auto insurance policy that is customized for you. All you have to do is download the app, answer a few questions, and Jerry will take care of the rest. We’ll do a comprehensive cross-analysis of policies from the top, name-brand insurers to make sure you have a policy that suits your needs. Choose the policy you like, then we’ll do the hard work for you—that means handling all phone calls, paperwork, and renewals. “ Jerry was wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y. Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds No spam · No long forms · No fees Find insurance savings (100% Free)

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