Environmental Rules in Bartow County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Bartow County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New development or redevelopment in unincorporated Bartow County that disturbs an acre or adds 5,000 square feet of impervious surface must retain the first inch of rainfall on-site and hold post-development peak discharge for the 25-year storm to pre-development levels, under the county's stormwater management article administered by the county engineer.
Bartow County Stormwater Management Standards
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code § 34-558(4)b.1, (6)
1.Runoff reduction. The stormwater management system shall be designed to retain the first 1.0 inch of rainfall on the site using runoff reduction methods, to the maximum extent practicable. ... (6)Overbank flood protection. Downstream overbank flood protection shall be provided by controlling the post-development peak discharge rate to the pre-development rate for the 25-year, 24-hour storm ev...
Erosion Control
Unincorporated Bartow County requires a land disturbance permit and an approved erosion, sedimentation and pollution control plan before any land-disturbing activity of an acre or more begins. Disturbed areas must be stabilized within seven days, and a 25-foot buffer, 50 feet along trout streams, protects the banks of state waters.
Bartow County Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code § 34-267(c)(7), (c)(15)
(7)Temporary vegetation or mulching shall be employed to protect exposed critical areas during development. Exposed areas shall be vegetated or otherwise stabilized within seven days after disturbance. Temporary vegetation cannot be used as permanent vegetation. ... (15)Except as provided in paragraph (16) of this subsection, there is established a 25-foot buffer along the banks of all state wa...
Flood Zones
Unincorporated Bartow County requires a permit from the county engineering department before any development activity begins on a site within an area of special flood hazard. County Code §§ 34-42 and 34-61 apply the Floodplain Management/Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance countywide in the unincorporated area and bar approval of any permit that fails the article's requirements.
Bartow County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code §§ 34-42, 34-61
This article shall be applicable to all unincorporated areas within the county. ... No owner or developer shall perform any development activities on a site where an area of special flood hazard is located without first meeting the requirements of this article prior to commencing the proposed activity. Unless specifically excluded by this article, any landowner or developer desiring a permit fo...
Boat Dock Permits
Unincorporated Bartow County treats a private boat dock and boathouse as a customary accessory use for any single-family home on an A-1 lot of at least two acres, with no separate zoning-permit type required. Commercial marina docks on Lake Allatoona need a Conditional Use Permit if they add lake-cabin rentals, houseboats or RV lots.
Boat Docks Allowed as Accessory Use in Bartow
Some RestrictionsBartow County Zoning Ordinance § 7.1.8(A), (J)
(A)Single-family dwellings (conventional, manufactured and/or industrialized houses) and customary accessory uses, including docks and boathouses on not less than a two (2) acre tract of land. ... (J)Marinas and associated accessory uses on Lake Allatoona, including commercial boat storage, boat docks, sale of fuel and incidental supplies for the boat owners, crews, and guests, on-site clubhous...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Bartow County, new residential construction and substantial improvements within the future-conditions floodplain must have the lowest floor elevated at least three feet above the base flood elevation or one foot above the future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher; non-residential buildings need only one foot of freeboard above base flood elevation or equivalent flood-proofing.
Bartow County New Construction Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsBartow County Code § 34-92(1)a
a.New construction. New construction of principal buildings, including manufactured homes shall not be allowed within the limits of the future-conditions floodplain unless all requirements of sections 34-78 through 34-80 have been met. If all of the requirements of sections 34-78 through 34-80 have been met, all new construction shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower...
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