Step 1: Read through the statewide guidelines
We are committed to preserving the scenic, environmental and recreational value of the lakes while complying with our Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license and all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
The proper management of shoreline development must balance the interests of a number of stakeholders and is vital to the life of the lake. Our goal for the shoreline program is to ensure that all may enjoy the many beneficial opportunities the lakes afford for years to come.
Please be aware that our shoreline guidelines are subject to revision based on changes to the shoreline management landscape, FERC discretion or other factors. We look forward to working with you to make your lake experience an enjoyable one.
Step 2: Provide us your lot information
Before starting any of the activities listed below, a valid Georgia Power permit must be obtained by every homeowner for any activity on Georgia Power land. This permit requirement applies to Georgia Power leases and deeded properties.
Step 3: File improvement permits
North Georgia Lakes
Lake Burton • Lake Rabun • Lake Yonah • Lake Seed • Lake Tugalo • Tallulah Falls
You may submit applications online below, or view the list of improvements and print your application, fill it out, then mail or fax to your Land Management Office.
Types of Improvements
Aquatic Vegetation Management
Marinas
Central Georgia Lakes
Lake Jackson • Lake Juliette • Rum Creek
You may submit applications online below, or view the list of improvements and print your application, fill it out, then mail or fax to your Land Management Office.
Types of Improvements
Aquatic Vegetation Management
Marinas
East Georgia Lakes
Lake Oconee • Lake Sinclair
You may submit applications online below, or view the list of improvements and print your application, fill it out, then mail or fax to your Land Management Office.
Types of Improvements
Aquatic Vegetation Management
Marinas
West Georgia Lakes
Lake Harding • Lake Oliver • Lake Worth • Goat Rock Lake • North Highlands
You may submit applications online below, or view the list of improvements and print your application, fill it out, then mail or fax to your Land Management Office.
Types of Improvements
Aquatic Vegetation Management
Marinas
North Georgia Lakes
North Georgia -
Lakes Resources Office
4 Seed Lake Road
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-746-1450
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST)
By appointment only
Central Georgia Lakes
Central Georgia -
Lake Jackson
Resources Office
180 Dam Road
Jackson, GA 30233
404-954-4044
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST)
By appointment only
East Georgia Lakes
East Georgia -
Oconee/Sinclair Lakes
Resources Office
125 Wallace Dam Road
Eatonton, GA 31024
706-484-7500
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST)
By appointment only
West Georgia Lakes
West Georgia -
Bartlett's Ferry
Resources Office
1516 Bartletts Ferry Road
Fortson, GA 31808
706-322-0228
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST)
By appointment only
Statewide Shoreline Guidelines
- No permit of any kind will be issued if the property owner/applicant is not a party to a current, valid agreement with GPC or is not up to date on associated fees.
- No permit of any kind will be issued if there are existing compliance issues on the lot or shoreline.
- No work can be conducted on GPC property or within the GPC project boundary without prior written approval by GPC through issuance of a permit.
- An licensee/lessee who engages in shoreline construction or activities involving GPC land/lakes without first obtaining approval and a permit from GPC (e.g., unauthorized construction, unauthorized removal of trees, etc.) will be subject to cancellation of their agreement, removal of shoreline structures and the loss of ability to obtain any lake use permit for a time period determined by GPC in its sole discretion, up to five years.
- A contractor who engages in shoreline construction or activities involving GPC land/lakes without first obtaining approval and a permit from GPC (e.g., unauthorized construction, unauthorized removal of trees, etc.) will be subject to the loss of the ability to obtain any lake use permit and the loss of authorization to work at any GPC lake for a time period determined by GPC in its sole discretion, up to five years.
- GPC requires a residential structure to be present on GPC-owned lease lots and privately owned lots prior to approving any shoreline structures other than a dock and/or seawall.
- In instances where a GPC license or lease agreement has been applied for in connection with a deeded or privately owned lot, no shoreline structures will be permitted, other than a dock and/or seawall, unless there is a residential structure present on the lot.
- Any unapproved structures or installations located on GPC property are the sole responsibility of the licensee/lessee to remove within a timeframe acceptable to GPC.
- To protect the 25’ vegetative buffer and GPC project lands, no mechanical clearing (e.g., grubbing or changing the existing land contour) will be permitted without prior written approval from GPC. To ensure compliance with the GA EPD state waters buffer (25′ for warm waters, 50′ for cold waters), a permittee is responsible for obtaining all applicable permits prior to commencement of any work inside the 25′ vegetative buffer or GPC land. The permittee is responsible to contact the Local Issuing Authority (LIA) for the county in which the work is proposed.
- Older/existing structures: Previously permitted structures that no longer conform with current GPC guidelines can be maintained with minor repairs only. GPC will review maintenance applications and issue permits for work that qualifies as minor maintenance. If the work does not qualify as minor maintenance, a permit will not be issued and GPC will communicate when and how the structure should be brought into compliance.
- No portion of a downed tree may be disposed of on GPC property or lakes.
- GPC only allows one shoreline structure per lot (e.g., a dock, boathouse, boat slip or combination thereof).
- A combination structure must be built so that a single walkway provides access between the dock/boathouse/boat slip and the shoreline. Previous permitting for multiple structures will only be honored until that point in time when the structure(s) require more than minor repairs, at which point they will need to be brought into compliance with current GPC guidelines.
- On Residential Lease lots, any additional roofed structures (existing or requested) located on the lake side of a residential dwelling, other than a boathouse, must be outside of the Project Boundary for the specific lake or a minimum of 50’ from the closest point of the shoreline, whichever is greater.
- If a single owner controls two adjoining lakefront lots (whether by lake leases with GPC or private ownership), the lots cannot be combined without first contacting GPC to determine if a combination is acceptable. In cases where shoreline structures other than seawalls exist on both lots, the lots may not be combined unless all but one of the structures are removed prior to combining the lots. Combining adjoining lots will also require county approval.
Application Information Request
Fill this out to make a request for Lease, License, Access, Commercial, or Group.
Fax or mail to details provided on each form.
North Georgia
Lake Burton • Lake Rabun • Lake Yonah • Lake Seed • Lake Tugalo • Tallulah Falls
West Georgia
Lake Harding • Lake Oliver • Lake Worth • Goat Rock Lake • North Highlands
Dredging Permit
Requires additional documentation
Mail-in material is required to complete application
Dredging Permit Application Checklist
- Completed application for dredging permit.
- Erosion and Sedimentation control plan for stabilizing spoil removed.
- Certified survey showing amount of silt to be removed, stamped by certified professional engineer. Required if estimate amount to be removed exceeds 400 cubic yards.
- Provide a map showing the location of the proposed work location along with a written description of how to locate the site from major highways, intersections or landmarks.
- Provide accurate drawing/sketch of the work location showing existing structures and proposed activities. Drawings should be to scale or include dimensions and illustrate property lines and elevations. All drawings and attachments should be submitted on 8.5” x 11” reproducible paper.
- Submit photos of the area before, during, and after proposed activity. Photos should be submitted within one week after work is complete and may be submitted electronically.
- Executed Boundary Line Agreement between permittee and Georgia Power acknowledging post-dredging property rights. (Deeded property only; may not be required on smaller jobs.
- Dredged silt material may not be placed on the land owned by Georgia Power without written approval. All dredged silt material shall be placed and secured for drying in an upland area using property Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent reentry into the reservoir. If dredged material is to be placed on property owned by someone other than the permittee or Georgia Power, written authorization should be obtained and submitted to Georgia Power.
- The State of Georgia’s 25 foot vegetative buffer or County buffer, whichever is greater, should not be disturbed during dredging activity. If Land Disturbance Permit is required by the County in which the dredging is to take place, a copy of the County permit must be submitted along with the Georgia Power Dredging Permit Application.
- Re-vegetation plan must be submitted for any disturbed areas. Contractor will utilize a floating turbidity curtain/screen to minimize turbidity during dredging project.
(In order to obtain a permit to remove silt from the lake bed, I agree to submit the following to the Georgia Power Land Management Office along with Dredging Permit Application to receive a Georgia Power permit.)
Georgia Power will review the Dredging Application along with the required documents as outlined in this application. If the proposed work is deemed appropriate and there will be no adverse effect upon the project resources or environment, a permit will be issued with a project start and completion date. If you have questions concerning this application, you may contact a Georgia Power Shoreline Management Representative or submit written inquiries to Georgia Power Land Department.
Residential Dwelling Permit
Requires additional documentation
Mail-in material is required to complete application
Additional Information
- All new structures, additions to homes or rebuilds must be located outside of the project boundary (MSL contour elevation), where possible, and meet all County setback requirements. Exact location to be determined by Georgia Power representative.
- Residential dwelling must have a minimum of 900 square feet, or meet minimum County square footage requirement, whichever is greater.
- Maximum height of residential dwellings will be limited to a basement (below final grade) and two stories above ground level.
- Any changes in plans after approval of construction must be approved by Georgia Power.
- Any outbuilding or accessory structure, including the roof, must be of similar color and construction to the main residence.
- Limit of two outbuilding/detached structures per lot; size and location to be determined by Georgia Power representative.
- Outbuildings are limited to one story.
Requirements Checklist
- Copy of County Building Permit
- Copy of County Approved Septic Tank Permit
- Copy of County Land Disturbance Permit (if applicable)
- Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
- Copy of Contractor’s Erosion and Sedimentation Control Certification
- Overhead View of Floor Plan Including All Dimensions
- Landscape/Re-vegetation Plan
- Site Plan – showing approximate location of the structure
NOTE: Permit no longer valid after completion date noted on permit. Contact Georgia Power to extend permit or reapply for another permit if project exceeds completion date.
Outbuilding Construction Permit
Requires additional documentation
Mail-in material is required to complete application
Additional Information
- All new structures, additions to homes or rebuilds must be located outside of the project boundary (MSL contour elevation), where possible, and meet all County setback requirements. Exact location to be determined by Georgia Power representative.
- Residential dwelling must have a minimum of 900 square feet, or meet minimum County square footage requirement, whichever is greater.
- Maximum height of residential dwellings will be limited to a basement (below final grade) and two stories above ground level.
- Any changes in plans after approval of construction must be approved by Georgia Power.
- Any outbuilding or accessory structure, including the roof, must be of similar color and construction to the main residence.
- Limit of two outbuilding/detached structures per lot; size and location to be determined by Georgia Power representative.
- Outbuildings are limited to one story.
Requirements Checklist
- Copy of County Building Permit
- Copy of County Approved Septic Tank Permit
- Copy of County Land Disturbance Permit (if applicable)
- Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
- Copy of Contractor’s Erosion and Sedimentation Control Certification
- Overhead View of Floor Plan Including All Dimensions
- Landscape/Re-vegetation Plan
- Site Plan – showing approximate location of the structure
NOTE: Permit no longer valid after completion date noted on permit. Contact Georgia Power to extend permit or reapply for another permit if project exceeds completion date.
Application Information Request
Fill this out to make a request for Lease, License, Access, Commercial, or Group.
Fax or mail to details provided on each form.
Central Georgia Lakes
Lake Jackson • Lake Juliette • Rum Creek
East Georgia Lakes
Lake Oconee • Lake Sinclair
North Georgia Lakes
Lake Burton • Lake Rabun • Lake Yonah • Lake Seed • Lake Tugalo • Tallulah Falls
West Georgia Lakes
Lake Harding • Lake Oliver • Lake Worth • Goat Rock Lake • North Highlands