What permits do I need to start a glamping business?
Zoning and permitting is a crucial step in planning a glamping site and is one of the first things business owners need to check before investing capital into a glamping project.
Glamping Hub has teamed up with Glampitchet, North America – the expert consultants in site planning, permitting, and zoning for glamping business – to give you an overview of the concepts and differences between zoning and permitting.We’ll also explore how to check your zoning district, how to apply for a conditional permit, or a special use permit, and how they affect your glamping business plans.
What is the difference between zoning and permitting?
Before we deep dive into each of these topics, we need to understand what we mean by the terms “zoning” and “permitting”.
- Zoning is a method used by cities, counties, and municipalities (we’ll just refer to counties to make things easier) as part of their planning system. It involves dividing land into zoning districts and deciding which land uses are permitted in each district. All of the zoning rules for a particular county can be found in their zoning ordinances, which are available online.
- Permitting is the process most glamping projects have to go through to be granted permission to operate legally. The permit required for the project as a whole is generally referred to as a conditional permit or a special use permit. Other permits may also be required, such as building permits for the structures themselves.
While zoning and permitting are separate processes, it’s important to understand the difference so that when you’re ready to build a glamping site you have a clear step-by-step process to follow.
First, you need to learn which zoning laws apply to your property, and then you’ll have a better understanding of which permits you need to legally start a glamping business.
Zoning for glamping sites
By doing a zoning check, you’ll be able to see if legally you’re allowed to open a glamping site. Unfortunately, even if you’ve got your heart set on building an incredible glamping resort. it may just not be possible. It can be hard to come to terms with, so before you move forward be sure to research throughouly.
How do I know what zoning laws apply to my property?
Zoning and permitting laws vary from state to state, and even among municipalities and counties. So how do you know if your glamping business is likely to have good zoning or bad zoning?
Good or bad zoning depends on the individual glamping project and what you’re planning on doing or building on your property. The criteria for a prospective glamping business will be very different when compared to someone who is looking to build a family home.
What is good zoning for a glamping site?
The dream scenario is no zoning at all. In counties with no zoning system in place, you’re not restricted by the rules and regulations of a lengthy zoning ordinance, and you’re generally much freer to develop any kind of project you like. There will still probably be some kind of approval system in place, but it’s unlikely to be particularly stringent. However, the vast majority of counties do have a zoning system. When you look at a county’s zoning ordinance, you should be finding out if anything glamping-related is permitted within your zoning district.
Don’t panic if you can’t find a specific zoning designation for glamping, and don’t assume that just because it isn’t there, it doesn’t exist. “Glamping” will rarely be listed as a permitted use because it’s such a new concept, so you need to look for uses like “Campgrounds”, “Recreational Resorts”, and even “Hotels”. Then, dig into how each use is defined and the specific regulations surrounding each use to see if your project will qualify.
For example, if campgrounds are permitted in your zoning district, and the ordinance states that yurts, domes, and other glamping structures are allowed under the Campground use, we’d say that’s a pretty good zoning situation. On the other hand, if there’s no provision for anything glamping-related in the ordinance, we’d say that’s bad zoning. Most of the time, the situation is somewhere between these two outcomes.
Permitting for glamping
As part of the zoning screening process, you’ll gather a good idea of what permits you’ll need to move forward in your glamping business plan.
If you own a property with the best zoning for glamping, you won’t need to go through an extensive permitting process. However, these properties are rare. An approval board will review your project and assess if it’s possible to move forward, at the very least. A lot of projects will have to go through the conditional use permit process, which is time-consuming and often expensive. You’ll likely need to submit site plans and go through a public hearing process, which can be a lengthy process if neighbors aren’t supportive of your idea.
How to get the right permits for glamping?
Although the process can be long and complex, it’s perfectly possible to acquire permits for a glamping site, provided you have the right zoning.
Here are some of our top tips for navigating the permitting process:
- Do your zoning research first.
- Employ architects who have gone through the permitting process for glamping developments.
- Reach out to neighbors early to share your plans and address any concerns.
- Be prompt and polite in your responses to questions from county officials.
- Be ready for lots of frustration.
How to start the zoning and permitting process?
Glampitect North America can help guide you through the process of starting a glamping business, from zoning screenings, to feasibility studies, and more. Get in touch with us for a free consultation.
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