Walton County, GA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard required
- 3 ft above base flood elevation
- Applies to
- Special Flood Hazard Areas, unincorp. county
- FIS map date
- December 8, 2016
- Enforcing agency
- Planning and Development Department
- Permit required
- Development Permit before construction
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine, 60 days jail, per day
- Appeals body
- Walton County Board of Appeals
Summary
In unincorporated Walton County, the Land Development Ordinance's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance requires new construction and substantial improvements within a Special Flood Hazard Area to have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least three feet above the base flood elevation. A Development Permit from the Planning and Development Department is required before any development activity begins, and manufactured homes must meet the same three-foot freeboard standard.
New construction and/or Substantial Improvements — Where base flood elevation data are available, new construction and/or substantial improvement of any structure or manufactured home shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than three (3) feet above the base flood elevation. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate equalization of flood hydrostatic forces on both sides of exterior walls shall be provided in accordance with standards of Section 11-4-130 A.4, Elevated Buildings.a.All heating and air conditioning equipment and components (including ductwork), all electrical, ventilation, plumbing, and other service facilities shall be elevated at or above three (3) feet above the base flood elevation.
Full Breakdown
§ 36-1-20(a). It applies to all Areas of Special Flood Hazard identified on the FEMA Flood Insurance Study dated December 8, 2016. Under Section 11-4-130(B)(1), where base flood elevation data exist, new construction and substantial improvement of any structure or manufactured home must have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than three feet above the base flood elevation, and heating, air conditioning, electrical, ventilation and plumbing equipment must be elevated to the same three-foot freeboard. Non-residential buildings in A1-30, AE or AH zones may instead be flood-proofed watertight to three feet above base flood elevation if a registered professional engineer or architect certifies the design.
Within a designated floodway, encroachments including fill, new construction and substantial improvements are prohibited unless engineering analysis certified by a professional engineer shows no increase in flood levels. Applicants file a Development Permit application with the Planning and Development Department before any development activity, and an as-built elevation certification is due immediately after the lowest floor is completed; work done before certification proceeds at the permit holder's risk. § 5-4-1.
Violations & Fines
Failing to comply with the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, including conditions attached to a variance, is punishable under Section 11-4-110(H) by a fine of up to one thousand dollars, imprisonment for up to sixty days, or both, plus all costs of the case; each day the violation continues is a separate offense. The Planning and Development Director may also issue a stop-work order for failure to submit required elevation certifications or correct deficiencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above base flood elevation must a new home be built in unincorporated Walton County?
Can a commercial building be flood-proofed instead of elevated?
Do I need a permit before building in a Walton County flood zone?
What happens if I don't meet the flood elevation requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Walton County
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