Environmental Rules in Decatur, GA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Decatur, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Decatur, Georgia's Unified Development Ordinance requires a stormwater management permit before any land development activity, sets numeric detention-pond setbacks and fencing rules, and lets the City Manager issue stop-work orders and municipal-court citations for violations.
Decatur GA Stormwater Management Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsDecatur Unified Development Ordinance §§ 9.3.4.A.1, 9.3.9.B.4
1.No owner or developer shall perform any land development activities without first meeting the requirements of this Section and obtaining a stormwater management permit prior to commencing the proposed activity. ... Any violation of this Section is punishable, upon conviction, according to the provisions of Section 1-12 of the Code of Ordinances. Each day any violation of this Section shall co...
Erosion Control
In the City of Decatur, Georgia (DeKalb County), anyone conducting land-disturbing activity must get a permit under UDO Sec. 9.4 before grading, clearing or building disturbs the site. The City routes applications through the Region II DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District for plan review, and violators face stop-work orders and civil penalties up to $2,500 per day.
Decatur GA Soil Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsDecatur Unified Development Ordinance §§ 9.4.5(B)(1), 9.4.7(D)
No person shall conduct any land-disturbing activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City without first obtaining a permit from the City to perform such activity and providing a copy of notice of intent submitted to EPD if applicable. ... Any person who violates any provisions of this Section, or any permit condition or limitation established pursuant to this Section, or who neglige...
Flood Zones
Any development inside a Decatur, Georgia, Area of Special Flood Hazard needs a floodplain permit before work starts, under UDO Sec. 9.5.4. The UDO Administrator reviews the site plan, elevation data and FEMA studies, and bars new construction that would raise the base flood elevation by even 0.01 foot.
Decatur GA Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsDecatur Unified Development Ordinance §§ 9.5.4(A)(1), 9.5.5(C)(1)
No owner or developer shall perform any development activities on a site where an Area of Special Flood Hazard or Area of Future-conditions Flood Hazard is located without first meeting the requirements of this Section prior to commencing the proposed activity. ... No development shall be allowed within any Area of Special Flood Hazard or Area of Future-conditions Flood Hazard that could result...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New homes and additions built in a Decatur, Georgia floodplain must sit at least three feet above the base flood elevation, or one foot above the future-conditions flood elevation if that figure is higher, under UDO Sec. 9.5.6.B.1. Non-residential buildings need only one foot of freeboard, or may floodproof instead.
Decatur GA Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsDecatur Unified Development Ordinance § 9.5.6(B)(1)
New construction and substantial improvements of principal residential structures shall not be allowed within the limits of the future-conditions floodplain unless all requirements of Sec. 9.5.5.C., Sec. 9.5.5.D. and Sec. 9.5.5.E. have been met. If all of the requirements of Sec. 9.5.5.C., Sec. 9.5.5.D. and Sec. 9.5.5.E. have been met, all new construction and substantial improvements shall hav...
Looking for DeKalb County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Decatur city rules.
Environmental Rules in DeKalb County →