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

Section 78-13 makes it unlawful to maintain, cause or permit the accumulation of litter or uncut grass or weeds on any parcel, tract or lot of real property once it exceeds ten inches in height or becomes a nuisance, health hazard, or is unreasonably unsightly. The property title holder bears final responsibility for keeping any unimproved parcel in the unincorporated area maintained in a manner protective of public safety, health and general welfare, regardless of who occupies or rents it. When the property is vacant of an owner or renter, the county serves written notice by registered or certified mail (or statutory overnight delivery) to the title owner's last known tax-commissioner address, or to the occupant, with service complete upon mailing, and by posting a copy of the notice on the parcel itself.

If the owner or occupant fails to clear the litter, grass or weeds within eight days of that notice, the county can issue a citation, with a separate violation running for each day the condition continues past the eight-day window; the director of the department of planning and development can also send crews to cut and remove the weeds, vegetation, garbage or trash and bill the property owner for the cost. Any cost the county incurs to abate the condition becomes a lien on the property with the same status and priority as a tax lien, and both a citation and an abatement action can proceed together.

Section 78-12 separately requires owners, occupants and lessees to keep vacant lots, borders, embankments, fences and sidewalks free of litter as an ongoing duty, not just after notice.