Macon-Bibb County, GA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 11 of the Macon-Bibb County Code applies to "all Areas of Special Flood Hazard within Macon-Bibb County" (Sec. 11-5), based on FEMA's Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Map for the consolidated government, plus any other areas known to have flooded historically or identified by engineering analysis even before FEMA formally maps them (Sec. 11-6). Under an Intergovernmental Agreement for Stormwater Management dated July 31, 2019, the Macon Water Authority, called "the Authority" throughout the chapter, is authorized and obligated to administer floodplain regulation countywide as the chapter's Local Issuing Authority, or LIA (Sec.

11-1). Section 11-7 requires anyone planning development in a special flood hazard area to obtain a development permit from the Authority "PRIOR to the commencement of any development activities," and Section 11-8 backs that up by barring any structure or land from being "located, extended, converted or altered" without full compliance with the chapter and other applicable regulations. General standards in Section 11-20 apply countywide in these zones: new construction and substantial improvements must be anchored against flotation and lateral movement, built with flood-damage-resistant materials and methods, and any enclosed area below the lowest floor must be an unfinished, flood-resistant space with openings sized to equalize hydrostatic pressure, usable only for parking, limited storage, or building access, never as finished living space or for housing HVAC, electrical, or plumbing equipment.

Floodways identified within these areas bar new fill, structures, or substantial improvements outright unless a registered professional engineer certifies the project will not raise flood heights.