Henry County, GA • Permit Guide
Do You Need a Permit for Drainage Work in Henry County, Georgia?
Henry County's land disturbance permit threshold is 120 square feet. Most french drain projects trigger it. Here is what applies, what doesn't, and how to apply.
Henry County Land Disturbance Permit (LDP)
Henry County requires a residential land disturbance permit (LDP) for any activity that involves clearing, grading, or leveling over 120 square feet of land. This is one of the lowest thresholds in the metro Atlanta area. For perspective: 120 square feet is roughly a 10-foot by 12-foot area. A typical residential french drain trench is 50 to 200 linear feet. Most drainage projects easily exceed this threshold.
The low threshold reflects Henry County's concern about stormwater runoff from the rapid development occurring throughout the county. With nearly 7,000 new homes being built per year, the county has put in place permit requirements that capture even small residential grading projects.
Applications are submitted through the SagesGov permitting portal at sagesgov.com/henrycounty-ga. The reviewing department is Henry County Environmental Inspections and Compliance. For questions before submitting, contact the Henry County Environmental Inspections department directly.
Georgia EPD Stormwater Permits
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) administers NPDES General Permits for construction activities. These apply when land disturbance involves one acre or more, or when the project is part of a larger common plan of development that collectively disturbs one acre or more.
For most residential french drain installations in McDonough or Henry County, the disturbed area is well under one acre, so Georgia EPD NPDES permits typically do not apply. However, if your property is being re-graded on a larger scale, or if the drainage project is part of a broader site improvement, confirm the total disturbed area before proceeding.
The Georgia EPD NPDES General Permit series for construction includes:
- GAR100001: General permit for land disturbing activities (standard residential/commercial)
- GAR100002: General permit for residential construction in sensitive watersheds
- GAR100003: General permit for linear construction projects
Applications requiring EPD permits must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to EPD before work begins. Henry County requires applicants to provide a copy of the NOI when the EPD permit applies. More information at the Georgia EPD NPDES Construction permits page.
FEMA Flood Zone Considerations
Properties in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) in Henry County may have additional restrictions on grading and drainage work. Before starting any drainage project near a creek, stream, or low-lying area, check whether your property is in a flood zone using the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Henry County flood zone information is searchable by address.
If your property is in an SFHA, a floodplain development permit from Henry County may also be required in addition to the land disturbance permit. Contact the county's Building and Plan Review Department for guidance on floodplain permit requirements.
Who Is Responsible for the Permit?
In Henry County, the property owner is ultimately responsible for obtaining required permits before work begins. Some drainage contractors will apply for permits on behalf of the homeowner; others require the homeowner to pull the permit themselves. Confirm with your contractor before signing any contract.
Working without a required permit in Henry County can result in stop-work orders, fines, and requirements to remove and reinstall the drainage system after proper permits are obtained. It is always worth the time and fee to get the permit first.