---
title: Duluth UDC § 837.05 — 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/837.05"
licence: "CC0-1.0"
---

# Duluth UDC § 837.05

Building Standards for Areas of Shallow Flooding (AO-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:** 241–242
- **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

Areas of special flood hazard may include designated "AO" shallow flooding areas. These areas have base flood
depths of 1 to 3 feet above ground, with no clearly defined channel. In these areas the following provisions apply:

1. New and all substantial improvements of residential and nonresidential structures shall have the lowest
floor, including basement, elevated to no lower than 1 foot above the flood depth number in feet
specified on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM), above the highest adjacent grade. If no flood depth
number is specified, the lowest floor, including basement, shall be elevated at least 3 feet above the
highest adjacent grade. Openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of flood waters shall
be provided in accordance with standards of 837.01(5).
2. New and substantial improvements of a non-residential structure may be flood-proofed in lieu of
elevation. The structure, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, must be designed to be
watertight to the specified FIRM flood level plus 1 foot above the highest adjacent grade, with walls
substantially impermeable to the passage of water, and structural components having the capability of
resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effect of buoyancy. A registered professional
engineer or architect shall certify that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with

240 | P a g e

Article Eight. Environmental Protection

accepted standards of practice and shall provide such certification to the Director of the Planning and
Development Department using the FEMA Floodproofing Certificate along with the design and
operation/maintenance plan; and,
3. Drainage paths shall be provided to guide floodwater around and away from any proposed structure.