Bulloch County, GA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Nuisance list
- Junk, abandoned vehicles/mobile homes, dead animals, bad odors
- Abatement authority
- Environmental manager, after notice
- Cost recovery
- Lien placed on the property
- Enforcing officials
- County marshals and other law enforcement
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine and/or 60 days jail
Summary
Unincorporated Bulloch County declares a broad list of blighted conditions a nuisance, including dead animals, junk accumulations, abandoned vehicles and mobile homes, and malfunctioning septic systems, and lets the county abate them and place a lien on the property.
It shall be unlawful for any person to create a nuisance on his property or property occupied by him, or to allow a nuisance to remain on his property or property occupied by him. Nuisances, as contemplated herein, shall include but shall not be limited to dead animals, stagnant water, decayed vegetables or fruits, filthy privies or stables, anything having an offensive odor, accumulations of junk, abandoned or junk vehicles, abandoned mobile homes, improper or malfunctioning septic systems, or anything that causes injury or damage to the health, life, or property of any other person; provided, however, odors generated by legitimate, commercial agricultural activities shall not be deemed to constitute a nuisance under this section.
Full Breakdown
Section 8-81 of the Clean Community Ordinance makes it unlawful for anyone to create a nuisance on property they own or occupy, or to let one remain. The section lists dead animals, stagnant water, decayed vegetables or fruits, filthy privies or stables, anything with an offensive odor, accumulations of junk, abandoned or junk vehicles, abandoned mobile homes, and improper or malfunctioning septic systems as covered conditions, along with anything that injures the health, life or property of another person. Odors from legitimate commercial agricultural activity are expressly excluded from this definition.
Section 8-82(a) reinforces this for any premises, including vacant lots, where trash, junk, abandoned vehicles or unsafe manufactured homes are permitted to accumulate. When the person responsible fails to correct a violation after notice from the environmental manager, Section 8-82(c) authorizes the manager or deputies to enter the property, remove the offending material, and assess the removal cost as a lien against the property; both the property owner and any distinct person causing the violation are jointly and severally liable. Enforcement authority extends to county marshals and any other law enforcement official under Section 8-83, and the county attorney can seek an injunction or mandamus to stop or correct a violation in addition to criminal prosecution.
Violations & Fines
A blight or nuisance violation under Sections 8-81 through 8-83 is punishable under Section 1-11's general penalty, up to $1,000.00 and up to 60 days in jail, or both, plus reimbursement of the county's abatement costs as a lien on the property; each day the condition continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a nuisance on my property in unincorporated Bulloch County?
Can the county remove junk from my land itself?
Is there an exception for farm odors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bulloch County
Compare Bulloch County to another location·View the Georgia property maintenance overview
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