Land Due Diligence Protocol
Glamping Land Feasibility & Permitting Cheatsheet
🏛️ Zoning & Land Classification
- ✅ Agricultural / Rural Residential: Check for "Commercial Campground" or "Agritourism" allowances.
- ✅ Temporary vs Permanent Structures: Tents/domes on unanchored decks often avoid strict foundation codes.
- ✅ Conditional Use Permit (CUP): Required if commercial lodging is not permitted by-right.
💧 Water & Waste Infrastructure
- ✅ Perc Test & Septic Sizing: Verify soil percolation rates for commercial septic or holding tanks.
- ✅ Composting Toilet Approvals: Confirm county health department approves NSF-certified composting heads.
- ✅ Potable Water Delivery: Minimum 5 GPM well yield or approved bulk water haul holding cisterns.
🚗 Road Access & Emergency Fire Clearances
- ✅ Year-Round Fire Truck Access: Minimum 14ft clearance width and gravel compaction for emergency rigs.
- ✅ Turnaround Hammerheads: Dedicated 45ft radius vehicle turnarounds at terminus of site driveways.
- ✅ Defensible Space: 100ft brush clearing perimeter around each wood-burning dome/tent.
💰 Transient Occupancy Tax & Insurance
- 💎 Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): Register with county tax collector for 8-14% local lodging tax.
- 💎 Specialty Hospitality Insurance: Commercial GL policy with $1,000,000+ guest injury & campfire coverage.
- 💎 Guest Liability Waivers: Mandatory digital signature covering rugged terrain and outdoor wildlife.