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

Cobb County Code Chapter 58 (Health, Housing and Sanitation) incorporates the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) to address blighted and substandard properties. Common violations include: deteriorated exterior paint with bare wood exposed, broken or boarded-up windows, damaged or missing roofing, accumulated junk/debris in yards, derelict vehicles (see separate abandoned vehicle rules), overgrown grass exceeding Cobb height limit (typically 12 inches), tall weeds, structural defects, and unsafe stairs or porches. Cobb Code Enforcement issues written Notice of Violation with compliance period (commonly 10 to 30 days depending on severity). Failure to comply results in citation to Cobb County Environmental Court, which can impose fines up to $1,000 per day per violation and issue abatement orders. The county may contract abatement (mowing, debris removal, securing structures) and place a lien on the property for costs plus administrative fees under Georgia nuisance abatement law (O.C.G.A. §41-2-5). Vacant properties may be required to be registered.