Clayton County, GA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 46, Article III of the Code of Ordinances, adopted by Ord. No. 2017-36, governs floodplain development countywide. Its stated purpose, Sec. 46-100, is to minimize flood losses by requiring flood-vulnerable uses to be protected at construction, restricting uses dangerous due to flooding or erosion, controlling filling, grading and dredging, and limiting alteration of natural floodplains and stream channels. Section 46-101 makes the article applicable to all areas of special flood hazard in Clayton County, and Sec. 46-102 appoints the Clayton County Water Authority, or its designee, to administer the article and recommend permit approvals to the Department of Transportation and Development and the Department of Community Development.

The operative permit mandate, Sec. 46-108, bars any owner or developer from performing development activities on a site within an area of special flood hazard until the article's requirements are met, and requires a permit application on the county's form before any activity begins; no permit is approved unless it satisfies the article's requirements, restrictions and criteria. A companion section, Sec. 46-109, requires a floodplain management/flood damage prevention plan with a scaled site plan, existing and proposed elevations, base flood and future-conditions flood elevations, floodway boundaries where applicable, and certification by a licensed engineer or surveyor.

Violations are handled under Division 6: a written notice of violation, then a stop-work order, withheld certificate of occupancy, permit suspension or revocation, civil penalties up to $1,000 per day, and, for flagrant violations, a magistrate court citation.