Environmental Rules in Roswell, GA

If you live in Roswell or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Roswell has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Stormwater Management

Roswell, Georgia requires a stormwater management plan for new development that creates 5,000 square feet or more of impervious cover, or one acre or more of land disturbance, before any permit issues. The city's Public Works/Environmental Director administers the program under the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual, with violations enforceable by stop-work orders and fines.

Key details: Impervious cover trigger: 5,000 sq ft or more. Disturbance trigger: 1 acre or more of any activity. LID-only threshold: 1,000-5,000 sq ft, non-residential. Administering official: Public Works/Environmental Director. Appeal window: 30 days from notice of violation.

Uncorrected stormwater violations trigger, in order: a written notice of violation with a cure date, a 10-day (or 24-hour, for imminent danger) opportunity to fix it, then a stop-work order, withheld certificate of occupancy, and suspension or revocation of the development permit. Civil penalties follow Code § 1.1.3: up to $2,000 in fines, 180 days imprisonment or 180 days community service, each day a separate offense.

Flood Elevation Requirements

In Roswell, Georgia's flood hazard areas, new residential construction must set the lowest floor at least 3 feet above the base flood elevation, or 1 foot above the future-conditions elevation, whichever is higher.

Key details: Freeboard: 3 ft above base flood elevation. Alternate freeboard: 1 ft above future-conditions elevation. Applies to: future-conditions floodplain new construction. Administered by: Floodplain Ordinance Administrator.

A structure lacking the required elevation certificate or other compliance documentation is presumed to be in violation of the flood ordinance until that proof is provided.

Flood Zones

Roswell bars new principal buildings from the future-conditions floodplain unless engineering standards are met, and requires elevation 3 feet above base flood level.

Key details: Elevation requirement: 3 ft above base flood elevation. Alt. requirement: 1 ft above future-conditions elevation. New construction in floodway: generally prohibited. Max civil penalty: $1,000 per day.

Building without a floodplain permit or below the required elevation can bring a stop-work order, a withheld certificate of occupancy, civil penalties up to $1,000 per day, and criminal fines up to $1,000 or 60 days' imprisonment.

This is one of the stricter rules in Roswell's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Erosion Control

No one may disturb land within Roswell, Georgia without an erosion, sedimentation and pollution control permit from the Engineering Director. Projects over 5,000 square feet of disturbance (or any size within 200 feet of state waters) need a plan reviewed by the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District, and violations draw stop-work orders and fines up to $2,500 per day.

Key details: Permit issuer: Engineering Director. Small-project exemption: Under 5,000 sq ft disturbance. State review window: 35 days, Fulton Co. Soil & Water. Permit decision deadline: 45 days from complete application. Max bond: $3,000 per acre disturbed.

Escalating enforcement under UDC § 12.6.5: a first or second violation gets a written warning with 5 days to cure, a third violation gets an immediate stop-work order, and starting land disturbance without a permit can trigger an immediate stop-work order plus revocation of the violator's business license. Monetary penalties run up to $2,500 per day per violation, and posted performance bonds can be forfeited to fund corrective work.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Roswell actively enforces its erosion control requirements.

The Bottom Line

Roswell is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Roswell, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Roswell's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.