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

Gordon County handles substandard and dangerous buildings in unincorporated Gordon County through Sections 9-26 through 9-38 of the Gordon County Code, an article dating to an ordinance of October 18, 1988. Section 9-26 records the county's finding that unfit dwellings and buildings are dangerous and injurious to the health, safety and welfare of the people of the county and that a public necessity exists for repair, closing or demolition. Section 9-27 adopts O.C.G.A. §§ 41-1-1 through 41-2-16 as the county nuisance ordinance.

After notice and hearing under Section 9-28, the officer writes findings of fact and serves the owner with an order under Section 9-29. If repair can be made at a reasonable cost in relation to the value of the structure, the order requires the owner to repair, alter or improve it to make it fit, or to vacate and close it. If repair cannot be made at a reasonable cost, the order requires removal or demolition. Section 9-30 sets the ceiling: the Board of Commissioners cannot require removal or demolition unless the cost of repair exceeds one-half the value the structure will have when repaired to meet the minimum requirements.

If the owner ignores the order, Section 9-31 lets the officer repair, vacate and close, or demolish the structure and post a placard on the main entrance. Section 9-32 adds a brake: the officer cannot exercise the duties in Sections 9-31 and 9-32 until the Board of Commissioners has by ordinance ordered him to proceed, describing the particular property. Under Section 9-33 the cost is a lien on the real property, attached when the county pays and files an itemized statement with the clerk of the superior court, and salvaged materials are sold with proceeds credited against the cost. Under Section 9-34 the owner can pay 25 percent within 30 days of perfection of the lien and the balance in three equal annual payments at 7 percent annual interest; a sale of the property accelerates the balance.