Floyd County, GA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Section 2-6-33(b)(1) of the Floyd County Code sets the county's freeboard standard: where base flood elevation (BFE) data are available, new construction and substantial improvement of any structure or manufactured home must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated no lower than two feet above the base flood elevation. If solid foundation perimeter walls are used to elevate the structure instead of piers, the walls must include flood-vent openings sized to equalize hydrostatic forces on both sides, per the elevated buildings standard in subsection (a)(4).

Heating and air conditioning equipment, ductwork, electrical, ventilation and plumbing service facilities must be elevated at or above one foot above the base flood elevation. Sufficient fill must also be placed, where necessary, to provide at least 15 feet of clearance at ground surface between all faces of a dwelling and the base flood limits. Section 2-6-35 defines base flood elevation (BFE) as the elevation shown on the flood insurance rate map for zones AE, AH, A1-A30 and related designations that indicates the water surface elevation of a flood with a one percent annual chance of being equaled or exceeded.

Non-residential structures may floodproof instead of elevate, but must be watertight to two feet above the BFE under subsection (b)(2), certified by a registered engineer or architect.