Brookhaven, GA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Sec. 14-815 applies in areas of special flood hazard, in addition to the general standards in Sec. 14-792. The first gate is not elevation at all: new principal buildings, including manufactured homes, are not allowed in the area of special flood hazard unless Secs. 14-792, 14-793 and 14-794 have been met. Only then does the elevation rule apply. For residential buildings the lowest floor, including basement, must be elevated no lower than three feet above the base flood elevation or one foot above the future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher. Where solid foundation perimeter walls raise the structure, openings must equalize flood forces under the standards of Sec. 14-814(5).

Nonresidential buildings get an alternative. Once Secs. 14-792, 14-793 and 14-794 are met, a new or substantially improved nonresidential building can be floodproofed in lieu of elevation. The structure and its utility and sanitary facilities must be watertight to one foot above the base flood elevation, or at least as high as the future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher. A registered professional engineer or architect must certify the design and provide the certification to the floodplain coordinator.

Sec. 14-814(5) governs any fully enclosed area below the lowest floor. It must be unfinished and flood-resistant, with either an engineer's or architect's certification or a minimum of two openings having a total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding, the bottom of all openings no higher than one foot above grade. The enclosure can be used solely for parking of vehicles, limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises, or entry to the elevated area, and it cannot be partitioned or finished into separate rooms.

Sec. 14-815 also covers other structures. Accessory structures such as barns, sheds, gazebos and detached garages must use flood-resistant materials, pass floodwater and be anchored. A recreational vehicle must be on the site fewer than 180 consecutive days and fully licensed and ready for highway use, or meet the residential elevation and anchoring rules. A manufactured home in an existing park must have its lowest floor at the same elevation, or its chassis supported by reinforced piers of no less than 36 inches in height above grade.