Decatur, GA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- UDO Sec. 9.4, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control
- Permit required for
- any land-disturbing activity citywide
- Local stream buffer
- 75 feet under UDO Sec. 9.2
- Trout stream buffer
- 50 feet, no variance for primary streams
- Civil penalty
- up to $2,500 per day
- Plan review agency
- Region II DeKalb Soil and Water Conservation District, 35 days
- Appeal body
- Zoning Board of Appeals, Article 11
Summary
In the City of Decatur, Georgia (DeKalb County), anyone conducting land-disturbing activity must get a permit under UDO Sec. 9.4 before grading, clearing or building disturbs the site. The City routes applications through the Region II DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District for plan review, and violators face stop-work orders and civil penalties up to $2,500 per day.
No person shall conduct any land-disturbing activity within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City without first obtaining a permit from the City to perform such activity and providing a copy of notice of intent submitted to EPD if applicable. ... Any person who violates any provisions of this Section, or any permit condition or limitation established pursuant to this Section, or who negligently or intentionally fails or refuses to comply with any final or emergency order of the Director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources or an authorized representative issued as provided in this Section shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500.00 per day. For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Section, notwithstanding any provisions in the City Charter to the contrary, the municipal court shall be authorized to impose penalty not to exceed $2,500.00 for each violation. Each day during which violation or failure or refusal to comply continues shall be a separate violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Decatur's Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance, UDO Sec. ) citywide. Sec. 3 exempts single-family home construction that disturbs less than one acre and is not part of a larger plan, projects under 5,000 square feet away from state waters, home gardening, and government road work, but everything else needs a land-disturbing permit under Sec. 5. 00 per acre. The Region II DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District has 35 days to approve or disapprove the plan before the City can issue a permit, and the City must decide within 45 days of a complete application.
Sec. 16 establish stream buffers of 25 feet along ordinary state waters and 50 feet along trout streams, on top of the separate 75-foot buffer set by UDO Sec. 2, with the more protective buffer controlling and no variance available for primary trout stream buffers. Applicants with two or more prior violations within three years can be denied a new permit outright.
Violations & Fines
First and second violations draw a written warning with five days to correct before a stop-work order issues; a third violation triggers an immediate stop-work order with no warning. The City Manager can also revoke a violator's business license, forfeit any posted bond, and refer the matter to municipal court, where civil penalties run up to $2,500.00 per day and each day of continued violation counts separately under UDO Sec. 9.4.7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to regrade my Decatur, GA yard?
What buffer applies along streams in Decatur?
What happens if I disturb land without a Decatur erosion permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Decatur
Compare Decatur to another location·View the Georgia environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.