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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing code
Chatham County §21-503
Buffer strip
5-foot strip within 150 feet
Applies to
Undeveloped, forest, agricultural land
Registration
No county vacant-lot registry
Unpaid cost
Becomes a property lien

Summary

Chatham County Code §21-503 applies the property-maintenance rules to all residential and abutting zones. For large lots, undeveloped land, natural forest, and agricultural land, owners must maintain a five-foot-wide cleared strip at the property line within 150 feet of any building.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Chatham County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

This Ordinance is effective in all residential zoned properties and in the zones that abut residential zones. Portions of large lots, undeveloped land, natural forest areas and land used for agricultural purposes within 150 feet of any building are required to maintain a five (5) foot wide strip at the property line abutting such land.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 21-503 (Applicability) of the Code of Chatham County states the Property Maintenance Ordinance is effective in all residential zoned properties and zones abutting residential zones. It does not require a whole undeveloped parcel to be cleared: portions of large lots, undeveloped land, natural forest areas, and agricultural land within 150 feet of any building must maintain a five-foot-wide strip at the abutting property line. The same ordinance's overgrowth (18-inch) and debris rules (§21-502) then apply to those maintained areas. There is no separate vacant-lot registration program in county code; enforcement is complaint-driven through Building Safety & Regulatory Services. City lots follow municipal codes.

Violations & Fines

Failure to abate within ten days of notice lets the county clear the lot and bill the owner (§21-506); unpaid costs become a lien on the property (§21-508), and fines reach $500 (§21-509).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to clear my entire vacant lot in Chatham County?
No. Section 21-503 requires a five-foot-wide cleared strip at the property line within 150 feet of any building for undeveloped, forest, and agricultural land.
Can the county clean up a neglected lot?
Yes. After ten days' notice, the county may abate the violation with its own forces or a contractor and charge the cost to the owner (§21-506).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Chatham County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsProperty BlightSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: FireworksHeavy Restrictions

All Chatham County rules

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