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

The county manager or a designee serves as floodplain administrator and runs Chapter 26 under Sec. 26-40. Before any development activity in a special flood hazard area, Sec. 26-41 requires an application on administrator-furnished forms, including duplicate scaled plans showing elevations, the nature, location and dimensions of existing or proposed structures, earthen fill placement, storage of materials or equipment, and drainage facilities. At the construction stage the permit holder must submit an as-built certification of the lowest floor or flood-proofing elevation, prepared by a registered land surveyor, professional engineer or architect; deficiencies must be corrected before work continues, and a missing certification or uncorrected deficiency is grounds for a stop-work order.

Sec. 26-55 sets general construction standards for every special flood hazard area: new construction and substantial improvements must be anchored against flotation, collapse or lateral movement, built with flood-damage-resistant materials and utility equipment, and constructed by methods that minimize flood damage. Elevated buildings with an enclosed area below the lowest floor need flood vents totaling at least one square inch of opening per square foot of enclosed area, with the lowest opening no higher than one foot above grade. The administrator also confirms federal or state approvals, such as Clean Water Act Section 404 permits, and makes substantial-damage determinations after flood events under Sec. 26-42. Appeals from the administrator's decisions go to the board of zoning appeals under Sec. § 5-4-1.