Smyrna, GA Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)

Sec. 54-64 of the Smyrna Code covers areas of shallow flooding, which are designated AO zones inside the areas of special flood hazard. The Code describes these areas as having base flood depths of one to three feet above ground with no clearly defined channel. For all new construction and substantial improvements, residential and non-residential, the lowest floor, including basement, must be elevated to the flood depth number specified on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM), above the highest adjacent grade. If no flood depth number is specified, the lowest floor must be elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade. Openings that let floodwater move unimpeded must follow the standards of Sec. 54-61(4), and the city engineer certifies the lowest floor elevation, which becomes a permanent part of the permit file.

Nonresidential buildings can be flood-proofed in lieu of elevation. The structure and its attendant utility and sanitary facilities must be designed water tight to the specified FIRM flood level plus one foot, above the highest adjacent grade, and a registered professional engineer or architect must certify the design. Sec. 54-64(3) adds that drainage paths shall be provided to guide floodwater around and away from any proposed structure.

Streams with no published base flood data are handled in Sec. 54-63. The city engineer first obtains and uses any scientific or historic base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source. Only if none exists does the fallback apply: the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, basement included, must be elevated no less than three feet above the highest adjacent grade at the building site.

For subdivisions, Sec. 54-65(d) requires base flood elevation data for proposals and other development, including manufactured home parks and subdivisions, greater than 50 lots or five acres, whichever is less.