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

Section 3.1(3)(c) makes it a public nuisance to fail to maintain 'developed or undeveloped private property' so it doesn't become a breeding place for destructive, annoying or injurious animals or insects, covering empty lots the same as built-up ones. Section 3.1(3)(k) separately bars using an abandoned mobile or manufactured home as storage or an accessory building; once the code enforcement officer determines the home is abandoned and a health or safety hazard, the owner gets written notice and 30 days to remove it at their own expense, and missing that deadline is itself a violation.

Either condition triggers the article's abatement machinery: under Sec. 3.2, the county can remove a dangerous object or nuisance on public property immediately without notice and bill the owner, while a nuisance on private land goes through the magistrate court after a written complaint, with a hearing and a compliance deadline before the court issues a writ letting the chief marshal abate it and recover costs. Sec. 3.1(4) holds either the property owner or whoever is in lawful possession liable, though a notified owner who neither caused nor controlled the condition, and lacked authority to remove the occupant, can avoid liability by proving it.

Sec. 3.3 requires the complaint and summons be posted on the property and served personally, by certified mail, or, for unknown owners, by newspaper publication, at least 15 days before the hearing.