Environmental Rules in Newton County, GA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Newton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Newton County requires a land-disturbance permit before most development in the unincorporated area under Sec. 50-148(a). Projects that create 5,000 square feet or more of impervious cover, or disturb an acre or more, must submit a stormwater management plan, an inspection and maintenance agreement, and applicable review fees before work begins.
Stormwater Permit Requirements in Newton County, GA
Significant RestrictionsNewton County Code §§ 50-145(1), 50-148(a)
(1)New development that involves the creation of 5,000 square feet or more of impervious cover, or that involves other land development activities of one acre or more; ... No owner or developer shall perform any land development activities without first meeting the requirements of this division prior to commencing the proposed activity. Unless otherwise exempted by this division, or granted a w...
Erosion Control
Anyone disturbing land in unincorporated Newton County outside narrow exemptions must follow Sec. 22-22's minimum erosion, sedimentation, and pollution control standards using best management practices that match the state Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia. A 25-foot undisturbed buffer applies along the banks of state waters, widening to 50 feet along trout streams, before the county Department of Development Services will issue a land-disturbance permit.
Newton County Erosion & Sediment Control Rule
Some RestrictionsNewton County Code § 22-22
(a)General provisions. Excessive soil erosion and resulting sedimentation can take place during land-disturbing activities if requirements of this article and the NPDES general permit are not met. Therefore, plans for those land-disturbing activities which are not exempted by this article shall contain provisions for application of soil erosion, sedimentation and pollution control measures and ...
Flood Zones
In unincorporated Newton County, no one may grade, fill, build or otherwise develop land inside a special flood hazard area without first getting a development permit from the floodplain administrator. Applicants submit scaled plans showing elevations, structure dimensions, fill placement and drainage facilities, and new construction must be anchored with flood-resistant materials under Code Chapter 26.
Newton County Floodplain Development Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsNewton County Code §§ 26-41, 26-55(a)-(c)
Application for a development permit shall be made to the floodplain administrator on forms furnished by the community prior to any development activities, and may include, but not be limited to the following: plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the elevations of the area in question and the nature, location, dimensions, of existing or proposed structures, earthen fill placement, storage ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
For streams in unincorporated Newton County's flood hazard areas where FEMA has not published base flood elevation data, Sec. 26-57 bars encroachments within 35 feet of the stream bank (or the stream's width, if greater) and requires new construction to have its lowest floor at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade.
Newton County Elevation Rule, No BFE Data
Some RestrictionsNewton County Code § 26-57(b)-(c)
No encroachments, including structures or fill material, shall be located within an area equal to the width of the stream or 35 feet, whichever is greater, measured from the top of the stream bank, unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that such encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood di...
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