DeKalb County requires land disturbance and grading permits for earth movement over thresholds set in the Land Development Ordinance. Drainage must not be redirected to adjacent properties.
DeKalb County grading and drainage are controlled by the Land Development Ordinance and the International Residential Code (as adopted by Georgia). A Land Disturbance Permit is required for grading activities over 1 acre (state threshold) or smaller projects under county thresholds, typically when grading exceeds 100 cubic yards or involves slope alterations. Site drainage must be engineered to direct runoff away from buildings and not cause damage to adjacent properties — a common neighbor dispute in DeKalb's hilly north-side terrain. Retaining walls over 4 feet in exposed height require sealed engineering drawings. Compaction testing is required for structural fill. Final as-built grading must match approved plans for certificate of occupancy.
Unpermitted grading: stop-work order plus fines $500 to $2,500. Redirecting drainage onto neighbors: corrective order and potential civil liability. Slope failures: remediation at owner expense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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