Atlanta regulates vacant lots through the Housing Code (Appendix E), the nuisance abatement provisions of City Code Chapter 74, and the vacant property registration program. Owners of vacant lots must maintain the property free of overgrown vegetation, debris, and conditions that attract rodents or create fire hazards. The Atlanta Land Bank Authority plays a role in returning chronically vacant lots to productive use.
Vacant lot owners must keep grass and weeds below 12 inches in height. Properties must be free of accumulated trash, debris, and abandoned vehicles. Vacant lots must be secured to prevent unauthorized dumping. The city may require fencing of vacant lots in certain neighborhoods to prevent trespassing and illegal activity. Vacant properties may be subject to the blight tax if they deteriorate. The Atlanta Land Bank Authority can acquire tax-delinquent vacant lots and transfer them to responsible owners or community land trusts for development or community gardens.
Failure to maintain a vacant lot can result in the city performing the maintenance and placing a lien on the property for the cost. Fines range from $500 to $1,000 per day for ongoing violations. The blight tax may apply to chronically unmaintained vacant lots. Repeated violations may trigger condemnation proceedings or Land Bank acquisition.
Atlanta, GA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fulton County.
See how other cities in Fulton County handle vacant lot maintenance.
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