FEMA flood zone rules in DeKalb County, GA — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
DeKalb County participates in FEMA's NFIP and strictly enforces floodplain management under Ch. 27 Zoning and a separate Floodplain Management Ordinance. Development in SFHA (Zones AE, AO, A) requires floodplain development permits. New structures must meet Base Flood Elevation. FEMA maps at msc.fema.gov.
DeKalb County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and enforces floodplain management regulations as required for NFIP participation. Properties in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs — Zones AE, AO, A) require a floodplain development permit before any construction, grading, or fill. New structures must have their lowest floor at or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Substantial improvements (>50% of market value) to existing SFHA structures must be brought into compliance. DeKalb County's floodplain regulations are administered by the Watershed Management Division. FEMA FIRM maps: msc.fema.gov. Contact Planning and Sustainability (404-371-2155) for floodplain determinations.
Construction below flood elevation: retroactive compliance required, fines $500 to $5,000. Floodway encroachment: removal order. Failure to maintain flood insurance: lender force-placement at higher cost.
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See how DeKalb County's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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