Atlanta requires erosion and sediment control for all land-disturbing activities under City Code Chapter 74, Article III and the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act (O.C.G.A. §12-7). The city enforces stringent erosion control standards as part of its obligations under the Chattahoochee River watershed protections and its federal consent decree for sewer system improvements.
All land-disturbing activities must implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) before grading begins. Sites disturbing one acre or more require a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) and must file a Notice of Intent with the Georgia EPD for coverage under the state NPDES Construction General Permit. Required erosion controls include silt fences, sediment basins, construction entrances with wash racks, inlet protection, and temporary seeding of exposed soils within 14 days. A 25-foot undisturbed buffer is required along all perennial streams and a 75-foot impervious surface setback along the Chattahoochee River corridor.
Violations of the erosion control ordinance carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per day under Atlanta Code §74-103. The city may issue stop-work orders immediately upon discovery of sediment leaving a construction site. Failure to obtain a Land Disturbance Permit is a separate violation. Georgia EPD may impose additional state fines up to $25,000 per day for NPDES permit violations.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Political...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenants under...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from Historic Preservation ov...
Atlanta, GA
Outdoor kitchens in Atlanta require separate trade permits from the Office of Buildings: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit for gas l...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit balcony ...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta enforces the Georgia State Minimum Fire Code, which adopts International Fire Code Section 308.1.4: open-flame cooking and LP-gas grills are prohibit...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fulton County.
See how other cities in Fulton County handle erosion control.
See how Atlanta's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.