Environmental Rules in Clayton County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Clayton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Clayton County regulates stormwater from new construction under County Code § 38-111.2: any new development adding 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, or disturbing one acre or more of land, must meet the county's post-development stormwater standards, administered by the Clayton County Water Authority under the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual.
Clayton County Stormwater Rules for New Development
Some RestrictionsClayton County Code § 38-111.2
(a)This article applies to the following activities:(1)New development that creates or adds 5,000 square feet or greater of impervious surface area or that involves land disturbing activity of one acre of land or greater;(2)Redevelopment (excluding routine maintenance and exterior remodeling) that creates, adds, or replaces 5,000 square feet or greater of impervious surface area or that involve...
Erosion Control
Clearing, grading or otherwise disturbing land in unincorporated Clayton County requires an erosion, sedimentation and pollution control permit before work starts. County Code § 38-29 bars land-disturbing activity without a county department of transportation and development permit, backed by a five-copy erosion control plan and a state fee capped at $80 per acre disturbed.
Land-Disturbing Activity Needs a Permit in Clayton County
Some RestrictionsClayton County Code § 38-29
(b)Application requirements.(1)No person shall conduct any land-disturbing activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of the county without first obtaining a permit from the county department of transportation and development to perform such activity and providing a copy of notice of intent submitted to EPD, if applicable.(2)The application for a permit shall be submitted to the county depar...
Flood Zones
Any development activity on land in Clayton County's mapped area of special flood hazard needs a floodplain permit before work starts, under Sec. 46-108 of the county's 2017 Floodplain Management and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. The Clayton County Water Authority administers the program alongside the Departments of Transportation and Development and Community Development.
Clayton County Floodplain Development Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsClayton County Code §§ 46-101, 46-108
Sec. 46-101. - Applicability. This article shall be applicable to all areas of special flood hazard within Clayton County, Georgia. ... Sec. 46-108. - Permit application requirements. 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 act...
Boat Dock Permits
In Clayton County's Lake Marina District, no one may moor or anchor a watercraft in the mooring area without first registering with the Marina Manager, who assigns slips only by reservation. Docking also requires a signed mooring area use agreement before entry.
Clayton County Boat Dock Mooring Permits
Significant RestrictionsClayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3.34, Sec. 5.0 (Mooring of Watercraft)
(a)No individual shall moor or anchor any watercraft within the mooring area without first registering with the Marina Manager who shall have the authority to assign mooring slips. Agreements to occupy moorage slips shall be granted by reservation, only. The Marina Manager may require proof that the watercraft complies with certain safety and sanitation regulations prior to registration.(b)Only...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved homes built in Clayton County's mapped future-conditions floodplain must have their lowest floor, including any basement, at least three feet above the base flood elevation, or one foot above the future-conditions flood elevation if that's higher, under Sec. 46-119(a). Non-residential buildings get a lower one-foot freeboard, or may floodproof instead.
Clayton County Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsClayton County Code § 46-119(a)(1)
(a)Residential buildings.(1)New construction. New construction of principal residential structures shall not be allowed within the limits of the future-conditions floodplain unless all requirements of sections 46-114, 46-115 and 46-116 have been met. If all of the requirements of sections 46-114, 46-115 and 46-116 have been met, all new construction shall have the lowest floor, including baseme...
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