Barrow County, GA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

The board of commissioners adopted this article, titled "The Barrow County Nuisance Abatement Ordinance" (§ 22-141), after finding that unincorporated county dwellings and structures exist which are "unfit for human habitation or for commercial, industrial, or business uses due to dilapidation," have defects that increase fire or accident hazards, lack adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or are vacant and used in drug crimes, and declared such conditions "public nuisances, which are subject to abatement" (§ 22-142). Owners have an affirmative duty to keep property code-compliant and free of hazards, and specifically may not allow it to be used in drug crimes (§ 22-145).

Once the county marshal's investigation confirms a violation, the marshal files an in rem complaint in magistrate court, records a lis pendens, and serves the owner and other parties in interest; a hearing follows 15 to 45 days later (§ 22-147(b)-(d)). If the court finds a nuisance, it orders repair within a set time when that is reasonable relative to the structure's value, or orders demolition and removal of all debris within a set time when repair costs exceed that value (§ 22-147(f)). If the owner does not comply, the marshal can have the work done directly and move for contempt in magistrate court (§ 22-147(g)); reusable materials from any demolition are salvaged and credited against the demolition cost (§ 22-148).

The full cost of abatement, including demolition, attorneys' fees, court costs and appraisal fees, becomes a lien on the property, superior to every lien except taxes, and the tax commissioner collects it like an ad valorem tax bill, with interest and penalties accruing 30 days after the lien is imposed (§ 22-149). An order can be appealed directly to superior court (§ 22-150).