Environmental Rules in DeKalb County, GA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
DeKalb County Code § 14-40(b) pulls a project into stormwater management and water quality review the moment it crosses any one of three thresholds: 5,000 square feet of new impervious surface, 1 acre of land development, or a peak runoff increase of more than 1 cubic foot per second in a ten-year storm.
DeKalb County Stormwater Management Thresholds
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 14-40(b)(1)-(2)
(b)Applicability criteria for stormwater management and water quality control standards. This article applies to all development which meets one (1) or more of the following criteria:(1)Increases the peak rate of runoff from the site by more than one (1) cubic foot per second for a ten-year frequency storm;(2)Involves the creation or addition of five thousand (5,000) square feet or greater of i...
Erosion Control
Any land-disturbing activity of one acre or more in unincorporated DeKalb County requires a land disturbance permit under Code § 14-38, along with an approved erosion, sedimentation and pollution control plan meeting state minimum standards. The development director can deny the permit, order a stop-work, and fine violators up to $2,500 per day.
DeKalb County Erosion and Sedimentation Control Rules
Significant RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 14-38(b)(1), (b)(5)b.1, (b)(7)d
(b)Standards.(1)[General requirements.] Any land-disturbing activity permitted under this chapter shall be carried out in accordance with the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975, as amended; this chapter; and the permit conditions specified by the director...(5)b.1. No person shall conduct any land-disturbing activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of county without first obtain...
Flood Zones
Unincorporated DeKalb County requires a development permit before any construction begins in a mapped special flood hazard area, per County Code Section 14-420.
DeKalb County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 14-420
A development permit shall be obtained before any construction of other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in section 14-412. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms promulgated by the director and may include, but not be limited to, floodplain management/flood damage prevention plan; plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, l...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated DeKalb County, new construction and substantial improvements to a residential building inside the future-conditions floodplain must have the lowest floor, including any basement, 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 above base flood elevation, or engineer-certified floodproofing to that height, under DeKalb County Code § 14-432(b)(3).
DeKalb County Floodplain Freeboard Standard
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 14-432(a), (b)(3)a
New construction or substantial improvements of principal buildings (residential or nonresidential), including manufactured homes, shall not be allowed within the limits of the future-conditions floodplain, unless all of the pertinent requirements of this article have been met... Residential buildings. New construction or substantial improvements of principal buildings, including manufactured h...
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