Alpharetta, GA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Sec. 3.1.1 of the Unified Development Code, titled the Alpharetta Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance, requires a permit before any qualifying land-disturbing activity begins. Subsection D.2.a states that no person shall conduct any land-disturbing activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City without first obtaining a permit from the City Engineer, and, where applicable, providing a copy of the Notice of Intent filed with the state EPD. Getting that permit requires the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District to approve the applicant's erosion and sedimentation control plan, or the City acting under a delegation agreement, payment of a City-set fee plus a state fee capped at $80 per disturbed acre, and, for most applicants, a performance bond of up to $3,000 per acre.

The ordinance also carries its own buffer rule: Subsection C.3.o establishes a 25-foot undisturbed vegetative buffer along the banks of state waters, measured from the point vegetation has been worn away by normal stream flow, rising to a 50-foot buffer along trout streams under Subsection p, with variances available only from the Director in limited circumstances. Enforcement runs through the City Engineer, who inspects permitted sites, issues written warnings and stop-work orders, immediate on a third violation or any imminent threat to public health or state waters, and refers repeat offenders to the courts.

Subsection F.4.a backs that enforcement with a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500.00 per day per violation, with each day of continued noncompliance charged as a separate offense.