Atlanta, GA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Under Appendix A, Section 105.1 of the Atlanta Code, any building or structure inspected and found dangerous or unsafe must be made safe or taken down and removed unless the Director of Buildings certifies it safe. "Unsafe" covers structurally unstable, unsanitary, fire-hazard, inadequately exited, vacant-and-unsecured, or dilapidated buildings. The Director serves written notice describing the defects and ordering repair or removal (Sec. 105.2); if the owner cannot be found, notice is mailed to the last known address and posted on the property. Where collapse or fire risk is imminent, the Director can order emergency work and require occupants to vacate without waiting on the standard notice process (Secs. 105.4-105.5).