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

Cobb County Code §58-36 establishes maintenance standards for vacant lots and unimproved residential property. Grass, weeds, and other vegetation on lots less than 2 acres must not exceed 12 inches in height; larger lots and agricultural/forested parcels have exemptions. Accumulated trash, construction debris, tires, appliances, and other solid waste must be removed promptly. Abandoned or partial structures must be secured against unauthorized entry. Vacant lots in subdivisions with active HOAs typically face stricter standards through covenants. Cobb Code Enforcement responds to complaints, issues written notice with typical 10-day compliance period, and if not corrected, contracts mowing/cleanup at owner expense with administrative markup. Costs are billed to the owner and, if unpaid, recorded as a lien against the property under Georgia law. Vacant property registration may be required for bank-owned/foreclosed properties under separate vacant property ordinance. Illegal dumping on vacant lots is a separate offense investigated by Cobb Police.