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

The freeboard standard sits in the county's building standards for structures within the future-conditions floodplain. 5; only then can new construction or a substantial improvement of a principal residential structure proceed, with the lowest floor set no lower than three feet above the base flood elevation or one foot above the future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher. 1(5)(a) formula of one square inch of opening per square foot of enclosed area, with opening bottoms no higher than one foot above grade. Nonresidential structures get a lower freeboard floor: one foot above the base flood elevation, or they may be floodproofed watertight to that same elevation instead of elevated, with the design certified by a licensed professional engineer or architect on a FEMA floodproofing certificate. Manufactured homes follow the residential three-foot standard, or the chassis can instead rest on reinforced piers at least 36 inches above grade. 3.