---
title: Duluth UDC § 837.04 — Duluth
jurisdiction: duluth
governing_jurisdiction: Duluth
source_url: "https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf"
effective_date: "2026-07-13"
as_of: "2026-08-13"
canonical: "https://www.gwindex.net/code/duluth/837.04"
licence: "CC0-1.0"
---

# Duluth UDC § 837.04

Building Standards for Residential Single-Lot Developments on Streams without Established Base Flood Elevations and/or Floodway (A-Zones)

**Governing jurisdiction: Duluth.** A "Duluth, GA" mailing address is usually NOT in the City of Duluth. Unincorporated Gwinnett is 67.3% of the county's land area and is governed by a different code, a different board and a different permit portal. Resolve the governing jurisdiction before answering any zoning question.


- **Article:** 8 — Environmental Protection
- **Pages in source:** 241
- **Adopted:** 2025-09-08
- **Amended through:** 2026-07-13
- **Source:** https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf

## Text

Established Base Flood Elevations and/or Floodway (A-Zones).

1. For a residential single-lot development not part of a subdivision that has areas of special flood hazard,
where streams exist but no base flood data have been provided (A-zones), the Planning and Development
Director shall review and reasonably utilize any available scientific or historic flood elevation data, base
flood elevation and floodway data, or future-conditions flood elevation data available from a federal,
state, local or other source, in order to administer the provisions and standards of this Article.
2. If data is not available from any of these sources, the following provisions shall apply:
a. No encroachments, including structures or fill material, shall be located within an area equal to

twice the width of the stream or 50 feet from the top of the bank of the stream, whichever is
greater.
b. In special flood hazard areas without base flood or future-conditions flood elevation data, new

construction and substantial improvements of existing structures shall have the lowest floor of
the lowest enclosed area (including basement) elevated no less than 3 feet above the highest
adjacent grade at the building site. Openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of
floodwaters shall be provided in accordance with Section 837.01(5).