Walton County, GA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Walton County, GA, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Development in Special Flood Hazard Area
- Minimum elevation
- 3 feet above base flood elevation
- Max fine
- $1,000
- Max jail time
- 60 days
- FIS map date
- December 8, 2016
Summary
Unincorporated Walton County requires a Development Permit before any activity in a FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area and generally requires new or substantially improved structures to elevate the lowest floor at least three feet above base flood elevation. Violators face fines up to $1,000 and 60 days in jail.
H.Penalties for Violation Failure to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance or with any of its requirements, including conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants of variance or special exceptions shall constitute a violation. Any person who violates this Ordinance or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than sixty (60) days, or both, and in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
C. 1 requires that where base flood elevation data exist, new construction and substantial improvements must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated no lower than three feet above the base flood elevation, with heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing components elevated to the same height. Non-residential structures may instead be flood-proofed to be watertight to three feet above base flood elevation, certified by a registered professional engineer or architect. Manufactured homes placed in the flood hazard area must meet the same three-foot elevation standard and be securely anchored against flotation and lateral movement.
4 prohibits encroachments including fill, new construction or substantial improvements unless engineering analysis certifies no increase in flood levels. Critical facilities may not be located in the 100-year or 500-year floodplain at all. The Planning and Development Director serves as the ordinance's administrator, reviewing permit applications, recording as-built elevation certifications, and making substantial damage determinations after flood events. Variances go before the Walton County Board of Appeals and cannot be granted within a designated floodway if they would raise flood levels during the base flood discharge.
Violations & Fines
Building or substantially improving a structure in a Special Flood Hazard Area without a Development Permit, or without meeting the three-foot elevation or flood-proofing standard, violates Section 11-4-130 and Section 11-4-110.C. Section 11-4-110.H makes any violation punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment up to sixty days, or both, with all costs and expenses of the case added, and each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build in a flood zone in unincorporated Walton County?
How high must a new home be built in a Walton County flood zone?
What is the penalty for violating Walton County's flood damage prevention rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Walton County
Compare Walton County to another location·View the Georgia environmental rules overview
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