Atlanta regulates grading and drainage through the Land Disturbance Permit process under City Code Chapter 74 and the Department of Watershed Management. All grading activities must maintain natural drainage patterns and prevent adverse impacts on neighboring properties. Projects must comply with the city's stormwater management standards and the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual.
Grading permits are required for any land-disturbing activity. The city requires a grading plan showing existing and proposed contours, drainage patterns, and stormwater management features. Developments must not increase the rate or volume of stormwater runoff to adjacent properties. Drainage improvements must handle the 25-year storm event. Projects must maintain the predevelopment hydrologic conditions to the maximum extent practicable using green infrastructure and on-site detention. Cut and fill operations must be balanced to minimize soil import and export. All disturbed areas must be stabilized within 14 days of final grading.
Grading without a permit or causing drainage damage to adjacent properties can result in stop-work orders and fines up to $1,000 per day. Property owners who alter drainage patterns causing damage to neighbors may face civil liability. The Department of Watershed Management inspects grading operations and can require corrective action at the property owner's expense.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Political...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenants under...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from Historic Preservation ov...
Atlanta, GA
Outdoor kitchens in Atlanta require separate trade permits from the Office of Buildings: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit for gas l...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit balcony ...
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta enforces the Georgia State Minimum Fire Code, which adopts International Fire Code Section 308.1.4: open-flame cooking and LP-gas grills are prohibit...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fulton County.
See how other cities in Fulton County handle grading & drainage.
See how Atlanta's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.