Environmental Rules in Barrow County, GA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Barrow County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Every owner and developer of developed commercial land in unincorporated Barrow County's stormwater service area must build and maintain an on-site stormwater system able to collect, convey, detain and discharge runoff safely. Barrow County Code § 90-504 makes a failure to do so a nuisance the county can abate in court, with costs and a lien assessed against the property.
Barrow County Requires Onsite Stormwater Systems
Some RestrictionsBarrow County Code § 90-504
All owners and developers of developed commercial land within the stormwater service area shall provide, manage, maintain, and operate on-site stormwater management systems sufficient to collect, convey, detain, and discharge stormwater in a safe manner consistent with all federal, state, and county regulations. Any failure to meet this obligation shall constitute a nuisance and be subject to a...
Erosion Control
Before breaking ground on any land-disturbing activity in unincorporated Barrow County, from grading a subdivision to clearing a commercial pad, the operator must get a land-disturbance permit from the planning and community development department under the county's Soil Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Ordinance. The permit application needs an approved erosion, sedimentation and pollution control plan, and fees run up to $80.00 per disturbed acre.
Barrow County Land-Disturbance Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsBarrow County Code § 89-1255(b)(1), (3)
No person shall conduct any land-disturbing activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of Barrow County without first obtaining a permit from the department of planning and development to perform such activity and providing a copy of notice of intent submitted to EPD if applicable. ... In addition to the local permitting fees, fees will also be assessed pursuant to paragraph (5) subsection (...
Flood Zones
Barrow County's flood damage prevention ordinance applies to every area of special flood hazard in the unincorporated county, mapped on FEMA's October 16, 1991 Flood Insurance Study. Before any development activity in one of those zones, from grading to building a structure, the property owner must get a development permit from the planning and community development department, and comply fully with the ordinance's construction standards.
Barrow County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsBarrow County Code § 89-1258(b)(1), (5)
(1)Lands to which this ordinance applies. This ordinance shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of Barrow County, Georgia. ... (5)Establishment of development permit. A development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this ordinance PRIOR to the commencement of any development activities.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Where FEMA has set a base flood elevation, unincorporated Barrow County requires new construction and substantial improvements to sit at least one foot above it, the county's freeboard margin above the minimum federal standard. Manufactured homes carry the same one-foot elevation requirement, and nonresidential buildings may instead be flood-proofed watertight to that same one-foot-above-base-flood-elevation line.
Barrow County One-Foot Flood Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsBarrow County Code § 89-1258(d)(2)a
Where base flood elevation data are available, new construction and/or substantial improvement of any structure or manufactured home shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate equalization of flood hydrostatic forces on b...
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