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

) rests on the FEMA Flood Insurance Study effective January 5, 2018, kept on file for public inspection in the Glynn County Community Development Office. Under § 2-5-126, the ordinance reaches every Area of Special Flood Hazard in unincorporated Glynn County, including St. Simons Island and Sea Island, but expressly excludes Jekyll Island State Park. Section 2-5-128 requires a Development Permit before any development activity, and § 2-5-129 bars locating, extending, converting or altering any structure or land without full compliance. The Building Official, appointed under § 2-5-133 as ordinance administrator, reviews applications, checks elevation certifications, and can require an as-built certification of the lowest floor elevation after construction.

Permits for development on St. Simons Island or Sea Island that need a site plan or preliminary plat must first clear the Islands Planning Commission. Appeals over a Building Official interpretation go to the FEMA Appeals Board (the Planning and Zoning Director, County Administrator, and County Engineer or their designees), and must be filed within 15 days or are deemed abandoned. The Appeals Board can grant variances only on a finding of good and sufficient cause and exceptional hardship, and never where the variance would raise flood heights inside a designated floodway.