Catoosa County, GA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

The county's Unified Development Code lists overgrown vegetation as the first illustrative example of a public nuisance: weeds or grass allowed to grow past 12 inches on average, or dead weed, grass or brush accumulations that could harbor rats, mice, snakes or other vermin, on occupied or unoccupied land, public or private. Trash, rubbish, junk and construction debris accumulations and abandoned vehicles left in public view are separately listed nuisances that commonly show up on vacant lots alongside overgrowth. Section 9.05.01(B) makes it unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to cause, permit, maintain or allow a nuisance to exist.

Enforcement runs through the Zoning Administrator, who can act on complaint or on his own motion, though an investigation generally requires an affidavit of complaint signed by at least three people from different households unless the Administrator uses his discretion under subsection (C)(3). Before court action, the county sends a written notice to abate that states the deadline, the nuisance's location, what constitutes it, and what must be done, with a warning that failure to comply sends the case to Catoosa County Magistrate Court. A magistrate finding of an unabated nuisance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50.00 and not more than $1,000.00, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense. Agricultural and food production operations are expressly carved out from this nuisance authority under O.C.G.A. § 41-1-7.