Augusta-Richmond County, GA Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code § 7-1-133(e)(2), Title 7
- Prohibition
- No lead-based paint on any structure
- Enforcement
- Director-Building Official, written Notice of Violation
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under § 1-6-1; $50 re-inspection fee
- Scope
- Excludes Blythe and Hephzibah's separate codes
Summary
Augusta-Richmond County's building maintenance code prohibits lead-based paint on any exterior wall or surface of a structure, requiring weather-tight, well-maintained exteriors under the Buildings and Construction title's maintenance standards.
The exterior walls shall be substantially weather tight, weatherproof, free from dry rot and mildew, and shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair so as to prevent infestation. All exterior surfaces other than decay-resistant materials, shall be protected from the elements by painting or other protective covering according to manufacturer's specifications. No lead-based paint shall be used on any surface of any structure.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Recodification).
Full Breakdown
Section 7-1-133(e)(2) of the Augusta-Richmond County Code, part of the building maintenance standards for exterior walls, states exterior surfaces must be weather tight, protected from the elements, and free of deterioration, and flatly bars lead-based paint on any surface of any structure. The Director-Building Official enforces the maintenance chapter, issuing a written Notice of Violation with a reinspection date; unresolved violations become misdemeanors under Section 1-6-1, with re-inspection fees of $50 per follow-up visit. This applies across the consolidated Augusta-Richmond County government; Blythe and Hephzibah, which stayed separate municipalities, enforce their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Applying lead-based paint to any structure surface violates Sec. 7-1-133(e)(2); an unresolved Notice of Violation becomes a misdemeanor under Section 1-6-1, plus $50 re-inspection fees for each follow-up visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Augusta-Richmond County ban lead paint on houses?
What happens if I don't fix a lead-paint violation?
Does this rule apply in Blythe or Hephzibah?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Augusta-Richmond County
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