Barrow County, GA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Violation category 1
- Unfit for habitation/use, code-noncompliant
- Violation category 2
- Vacant structure used in drug crimes
- Violation category 3
- Unsafe/unsanitary public health endangerment
- Citation
- Barrow County Code § 22-147(a)
- Applicable codes defined at
- § 22-144, citing O.C.G.A. Tit. 8, Ch. 2
- Owner duty
- Keep property code-compliant, hazard-free (§ 22-145)
Summary
Under the Barrow County Nuisance Abatement Ordinance, a property becomes an actionable public nuisance when it is unfit for human habitation or business use and out of code compliance, is a vacant structure used in drug crimes, or creates a health or safety endangerment from unsanitary or unsafe conditions (§ 22-147(a)).
(a)Complaint and investigation. Whenever a request is filed with a the county marshal by a public authority or by at least five residents of the unincorporated area of the county charging that any dwelling, building, structure or property:(1)Is unfit for human habitation or for commercial, industrial, or business use and not in compliance with applicable codes;(2)Is vacant and being used in connection with the commission of drug crimes; or(3)Constitutes an endangerment to the public health or safety as a result of unsanitary or unsafe conditions.
Full Breakdown
Section 22-147(a) enumerates exactly three conditions that can trigger a nuisance abatement case in unincorporated Barrow County. A. A. Title 25, Chapter 2. A. Title 16, Chapter 13, Article 2); the marshal determines that use exists after consulting the county sheriff's department. The third condition is a catch-all for a property that "constitutes an endangerment to the public health or safety as a result of unsanitary or unsafe conditions," which the findings in § 22-142 tie to dilapidation, defects that increase fire or accident hazards, and a lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities.
The ordinance's definition of "dwellings, buildings, or structures" specifically excludes farms and farm buildings, so agricultural production structures fall outside these three categories (§ 22-144). Owners independently violate § 22-145 by failing to keep property code-compliant and hazard-free, or by allowing a dwelling to be used in a drug crime, regardless of which of the three § 22-147(a) conditions ultimately gets cited.
Violations & Fines
Any of the three conditions found true after the marshal's inspection supports an in rem complaint in magistrate court under § 22-147(b). Owners also independently violate § 22-145(b) simply by allowing a dwelling to be used in a drug crime, and remain exposed to court-ordered repair or demolition costs plus a property lien under § 22-149 if the court rules against them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions count as a code violation under Barrow County's nuisance ordinance?
Does a property have to be occupied to be cited?
Are farm buildings covered by these violation categories?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Barrow County
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