Clayton County, GA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- Sec. 62-202(a) Quality of Life Code
- Outdoor junk storage
- Unlawful without special permit
- Cure period
- 5 business days after notice
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 / 6 months (1-12)
- Cost recovery
- County lien collected like taxes
Summary
Clayton County's Quality of Life Code (Sec. 62-202) makes it unlawful to store appliances, furniture, machinery, scrap, or waste materials outdoors on any developed or undeveloped land in the unincorporated county without a special permit. This blight rule is enforced by Community Development code officers.
It shall be unlawful for the owner, occupant or person in possession of any developed or undeveloped land to utilize such real property for the outside storage of any ice box, refrigerator, stove or other appliance, furniture, clothing, machinery, equipment, glass, iron, paper, cordage, or other waste material, including building rubbish, trash, garbage or similar items, without a special permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 104).
Full Breakdown
Under Code of Clayton County Sec. 62-202(a), the owner, occupant, or person in possession of any developed or undeveloped land may not use the property for the outside storage of iceboxes, refrigerators, stoves, other appliances, furniture, clothing, machinery, equipment, glass, iron, paper, cordage, or other waste material (including building rubbish, trash, and garbage) without a special permit from the director of Community Development. Owners must keep the property clean and remove abandoned items, dead trees, trash, rubbish, and garbage. Severely dilapidated or unsafe structures are separately reachable as a public nuisance under Sec. 62-35, which adopts Georgia's in-rem abatement power (O.C.G.A. Sec. 41-2-7 through 41-2-17) to repair, close, or demolish unfit dwellings.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by Clayton County Community Development / Code Enforcement (678-610-4755). Violations are punishable under Sec. 1-12 by a fine up to $1,000 or six months in jail, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store an old refrigerator or couch in my yard in unincorporated Clayton County?
What happens if I ignore a blight notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clayton County
Compare Clayton County to another location·View the Georgia property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.