Environmental Rules in Fulton County, GA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Fulton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In unincorporated Fulton County, most subdivisions and land-disturbing projects must clear a two-stage Public Works review under Code § 26-166: a stormwater concept plan at the preliminary plat stage, then a full stormwater management plan, sealed by a Georgia-registered engineer, before any building or land disturbance permit issues. Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Milton and the county's other cities run their own separate stormwater programs.
Fulton County Stormwater Management Plan Rule
Some RestrictionsFulton County Code § 26-166(a)-(c)
(a)Adequate drainage and control of stormwater are an integral and important part of any development. Proper drainage planning shall be considered an essential element of any stormwater concept plan or stormwater management plan submitted to the county. The design and construction of a site shall also follow the rules and regulations found in article XXXIV of Z.R.F.C. and section 26-39 of this ...
Erosion Control
Unincorporated Fulton County requires a land disturbance permit before any grading or development on steep slopes, with stricter limits as slope percentage increases under the county's Steep Slopes Protection and Grading Ordinance.
Fulton County Steep Slope Grading Permit
Significant RestrictionsFulton County Code § 14-3
The purpose of this section is to recognize and require adherence to county regulations and guidelines that govern the development of land that contains steep slopes within unincorporated Fulton County, Georgia. ... No land disturbance permit will be issued by the department without it being determined that the proposed development is in compliance with the provisions of this section.
Flood Zones
Fulton County's floodplain rules apply only to unincorporated areas that contain a special flood hazard or flood-prone area, and any grading, filling or other improvement there needs a land disturbance or grading permit first. Zoning Resolution §§ 4.24.3 and 4.24.6 set the jurisdiction and the permit trigger before any work can start.
Fulton County Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsFulton County Zoning Resolution §§ 4.24.3, 4.24.5, 4.24.6
4.24.3 Jurisdiction. This section shall apply to all the unincorporated areas of Fulton County which contain special flood hazard or flood prone areas. 4.24.5 Use regulations. (Amended 04/05/06) Notwithstanding the uses permitted by the zoning district applying to the property, the following shall be prohibited in the Special Flood Hazard Area (100 year IRF): buildings and structures; filling;...
Boat Dock Permits
Boat ramps and docks are allowed in Fulton County's special flood hazard and flood-prone areas only as approved recreational uses, and only in the unincorporated county, not in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek or Milton.
Fulton County Boat Dock Permits In Floodplain
Some RestrictionsFulton County Zoning Resolution § 4.24.5.A.5
Public and private parks and recreational areas including boat ramps and docks and other functionally dependent uses not including any temporary or permanent buildings, provided; such use is approved by the Department of Environment and Community Development, if applicable, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.6.Parking.7.Utility lines, pipelines, sewers, roads and stream crossings (if no other mea...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Unincorporated Fulton County caps engine idling by county-owned or county-leased vehicles at 15 minutes, stretching to 25 minutes below 32°F. The rule binds county employees and contractors only: it does not restrict private, commercial, or visitor vehicles.
Fulton County County-Vehicle Idling Time Limit
Light RestrictionsFulton County Code § 174-2
No county employee or contractor shall stop or stand any county-owned or -leased motor vehicle and idle for more than 15 minutes. ... (3)If the ambient temperature is less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit, in which case idling shall be limited to a maximum of 25 minutes; or (4)The vehicle's primary source of energy during idling is natural gas (CNG) or electricity.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction near a special flood hazard or flood-prone area in unincorporated Fulton County must set its lowest floor at least three feet above the base flood elevation. Zoning Resolution § 4.24.9.E ties that three-foot freeboard directly to the FEMA elevation certificate the builder has to file before occupancy.
Fulton County Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsFulton County Zoning Resolution § 4.24.9.D, E, G
E.The lowest minimum floor elevation. The lowest floor elevation, as described in FEMA's elevation certificate on page 5 and 6, shall be at least three feet above the base flood elevation and meet the requirements of 4.24.9.G. (Amended 4/5/95) ... D.Structures adjacent to flood hazard or flood prone areas. For any proposed new structure adjacent to a special flood hazard or flood prone area the...
Environmental Rules by City in Fulton County
2 cities in Fulton County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Fulton County ordinances
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