South Fulton, GA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential freeboard
- 3 ft above base flood elevation
- Non-residential minimum
- 1 ft above base flood elevation
- Enforcing official
- Floodplain administrator
- Civil penalty
- Up to $1,000.00 per day
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $1,000.00 fine or 60 days jail
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2020-023, § 2, 8-25-2020
Summary
New and substantially improved homes in South Fulton's mapped floodplain must have their lowest floor, including the basement, elevated at least three feet above the base flood elevation or one foot above the future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher, under Sec. 14-14020.
New construction. New construction of principal residential structures shall not be allowed within the limits of the future-conditions floodplain unless all requirements of sections 14-14015, 14-14016, and 14-14017 have been met. If all of the requirements of sections 14-14015, 14-14016, and 14-14017 have been met, all new construction shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than three feet above the base flood elevation or one foot above the future-conditions flood elevation, whichever is higher. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate the structure, openings sufficient to automatically equalize the hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls shall be provided in accordance with standards of section 14-14019(5)(a).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
The Floodplain Management and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, adopted by Ord. No. 2020-023, § 2 on August 25, 2020, sets that three-foot freeboard for new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures and manufactured homes; non-residential structures need only one foot above base flood elevation, or may floodproof to a watertight standard certified by a licensed engineer or architect using the FEMA floodproofing certificate instead of elevating (Sec. 14-14020(a)-(b)). Manufactured homes placed in an existing park may alternatively rest on reinforced piers at least 36 inches above grade (Sec.
14-14020(e)(2)). Elevated enclosures below the lowest floor must be unfinished, used only for parking or storage, and fitted with flood vents totaling at least one square inch per square foot of enclosed area (Sec. 14-14019(5)). The floodplain administrator (Sec. 14-14004) enforces these standards using the Fulton County flood insurance study dated September 18, 2013, and its accompanying FIRM maps (Sec. 14-14005). Property owners who cannot meet the standard may seek a variance from the zoning board of appeals under Sec. 00 of coverage.
Violations & Fines
The City of South Fulton issues a written notice of violation identifying the deficiency and a compliance deadline (Sec. 14-14027). If the deadline passes uncured, the city may issue a stop work order, withhold the certificate of occupancy, suspend or revoke the permit, and impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000.00 per day the violation continues. Intentional and flagrant violations can be cited to South Fulton Municipal Court, punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 or imprisonment up to 60 days, with each day a separate offense (Sec. 14-14028).
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must my house be elevated in South Fulton's floodplain?
Can a non-residential building floodproof instead of elevate?
What happens if I build below the required elevation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Fulton
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle flood elevation requirements.