Environmental Rules in Alpharetta, GA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Alpharetta, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New development and redevelopment adding 1,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, or disturbing an acre or more, trigger Alpharetta's post-construction stormwater standards. Projects must retain the first inch of rainfall on site and control stream channel and overbank flooding under the Unified Development Code.
Alpharetta Post-Construction Stormwater Standards
Significant RestrictionsAlpharetta Unified Development Code § 3.3.1
E.Applicability Criteria for Stormwater Management Standards. This Section applies to the following activities:(a)New development that creates or adds 1,000 square feet or greater of new impervious surface area or that involves land disturbing activity of 1 acre of land or more; ... G.Stormwater Management Standards. ... (d)Stormwater Runoff Quality/Reduction: Stormwater Runoff Quality/Reductio...
Erosion Control
Under the Alpharetta Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance, no one may disturb land in the city without a land-disturbance permit from the City Engineer. Undisturbed 25-foot stream buffers, District plan review and civil penalties up to $2,500 per day back up the permit requirement.
Alpharetta Soil Erosion and Sediment Control
Significant RestrictionsAlpharetta Unified Development Code § 3.1.1.C.3.o, D.2.a, F.4.a
o.Except as provided in Paragraph p of this Subsection, there is established a twenty-five (25) foot buffer along the banks of all State Waters, as measured horizontally from the point where vegetation has been wrested by normal stream flow or wave action ... D.Application/Permit Process. ... 2.Application requirements.a.No person shall conduct any land-disturbing activity within the jurisdicti...
Flood Zones
Alpharetta bars any development in a Special Flood Hazard or Future-Conditions Flood Hazard area that would raise the base flood elevation, reduce flood storage capacity, or increase erosive velocities. The Unified Development Code's floodplain management standards apply citywide and are jointly enforced by Community Development and Public Works.
Alpharetta Floodplain Development Standards
Significant RestrictionsAlpharetta Unified Development Code § 3.4.4
C.General Standards.1.No development shall be allowed within any Area of Special Flood Hazard or Area of Future-conditions Flood Hazard that could result in any of the following:a.Raising the base flood elevation or future-conditions flood elevation equal to or more than 0.01 foot;b.Reducing the base flood or future-conditions flood storage capacity;c.Changing the flow characteristics as to the...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New residential construction in Alpharetta's future-conditions floodplain must sit at least three feet above the base flood elevation, or one foot above the future-conditions flood elevation if that is higher. This freeboard requirement, set in the Unified Development Code, exceeds the minimum federal flood insurance standard.
Alpharetta Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Significant RestrictionsAlpharetta Unified Development Code § 3.4.5
B.Building Standards for Structures and Buildings Within the Future-Conditions Floodplain.1.Residential Buildings.a.New construction. ... If all requirements of Sections 3.4.4.C, 3.4.4.D, and 3.4.4.E have been met, all new construction shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than three (3) feet above the base flood elevation or one (1) foot above the future-conditions...
Looking for Fulton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Alpharetta city rules.
Environmental Rules in Fulton County →