Jackson County, GA Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- UDC Section 1849(b)
- Minimum deadbolt throw
- one inch
- Sliding bolts
- not an acceptable deadbolt
- Window rule
- sash lock within 6 ft of grade (Sec. 1849(c))
- Applies to
- units that are rented, leased or let
- Penalty
- misdemeanor plus up to $2,500/day fine
Summary
Unincorporated Jackson County requires rental dwelling, rooming and housekeeping units to have deadbolt locks with at least a one-inch throw under Unified Development Code Section 1849(b). The lock must open from the inside without a key. A sliding bolt does not count as an acceptable deadbolt, and ground-floor windows within six feet of grade need their own sash lock.
(a)Doors, windows or hatchways for dwelling units, room units or housekeeping units shall be provided with devices designed to provide security for the occupants and property within.(b)Doors providing access to a dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit that is rented, leased or let shall be equipped with a deadbolt lock designed to be readily openable from the side from which egress is to be made without the need for keys, special knowledge or effort and shall have a minimum lock throw of one inch. Such deadbolt locks shall be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications and maintained in good working order. For the purpose of this section, a sliding bolt shall not be considered an acceptable deadbolt lock.(c)Operable windows located in whole or in part within six feet above ground level or a walking surface below that provide access to a dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit that is rented, leased or let shall be equipped with a window sash locking device.
Full Breakdown
Section 1849(a) requires doors, windows and hatchways serving a dwelling, rooming or housekeeping unit to carry devices designed to secure occupants and property. Section 1849(b) narrows that for rentals: any door giving access to a unit that is rented, leased or let must have a deadbolt lock that opens readily from the inside without keys, special knowledge or effort, with a minimum lock throw of one inch, installed to the manufacturer's specifications and kept in good working order. The ordinance is explicit that a sliding bolt does not qualify as a deadbolt.
Section 1849(c) extends the security duty to operable windows located wholly or partly within six feet of ground level or a walking surface below, which must carry a window sash locking device when they provide access to a rented unit. Section 1849(d) covers basement hatchways serving a rented unit, which must have devices securing them from unauthorized entry. These requirements sit in UDC Article 18's property-maintenance chapter alongside the general door and hatchway standards in Sections 1846 through 1848, which require exterior doors and basement openings to be kept in good condition and resistant to rodent and water entry.
The Public Development Department's code official enforces the article and can issue a notice of violation requiring the landlord to bring locks into compliance within a stated time.
Violations & Fines
A landlord's failure to install a compliant deadbolt or window lock is a misdemeanor under UDC Section 2230. The county may also assess a civil penalty of at least $300.00 and up to $2,500.00 per day under Section 2232 until the hardware is brought up to the one-inch throw and no-key-exit standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my landlord have to install deadbolts?
Is a chain lock or sliding bolt enough?
Do rental windows need locks too?
Who enforces the deadbolt requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson County
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