Chatham County, GA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Chatham County § 9-106
- License term
- Annual, tied to inspection certification
- Fee schedule
- $5/space (1-50), $15 each add'l, $400 cap
- Late renewal
- Half-fee execution after Jan 31
- Non-renewal
- Recorder's Court subpoena after March 1
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 30 days jail (§9-107)
Summary
Chatham County requires every manufactured and mobile home park in the unincorporated area to hold a business license renewed annually, and that renewal only issues once the Director of Inspections certifies the park complies with the Manufactured Home Park Ordinance. County officials are authorized to enter any pre-existing park on a periodic basis to inspect for compliance under Code of Chatham County Sec. 9-106.
All pre-existing manufactured home parks must have and maintain a valid business license issued annually by Chatham County. All license renewals shall be contingent upon the park being certified by the Director of Inspections as being in compliance with these regulations, including the completion and/or installation of all required improvements... All County officials identified in Section III of this Ordinance, are hereby authorized and directed to enter each pre-existing Manufactured Home Park on a periodic basis and to make such inspections as are necessary to determine satisfactory compliance with this Ordinance.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 9 splits manufactured home parks into two tracks. New or expanding parks fall under Sec. 9-105 and must submit Record Drawings and pass a Park Development Permit review by the Director of Inspections before opening. Pre-existing parks, in place before the ordinance's adoption, are grandfathered from most of Sec. 9-105's design standards but remain fully subject to Sec. 9-106's licensing and inspection track. Every pre-existing park must carry a business license renewed annually by Chatham County, and Sec. 9-106(7)(b) makes that renewal contingent on the Director of Inspections certifying the park is in compliance, including completion of any required improvements identified in an earlier deficiency review.
License fees run $5 per space for the first fifty spaces, $15 for each space beyond fifty, capped at $400 per park regardless of size. Under Sec. 9-106(7)(c), County officials identified in the ordinance are authorized to enter every pre-existing park on a periodic basis and inspect for continued compliance before that annual renewal is granted. Miss the January 31 renewal deadline and the county executes for half the regular fee; fail to renew entirely by March 1 and the owner is subject to subpoena before the Recorder's Court of Chatham County. The Director of Inspections, who heads the Chatham County Inspections Department, administers the whole program under Sec. 9-107.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 9-107(4) makes any failure to comply with the Manufactured Home Park Ordinance, including an unlicensed or uninspected park, a violation punishable by up to a $500 fine or 30 days in the County Jail, or both, plus all court costs. Each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense, and the county may pursue other lawful remedies, such as denying or revoking the annual business license until the park passes inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chatham County inspect mobile home parks every year?
What happens if a park owner misses the renewal deadline?
How much does a mobile home park license cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chatham County
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