Hall County, GA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 1994 Standard Housing Code
- Inspecting official
- Hall County building official
- Major-violation deadline
- 45 days to correct
- Minor-violation deadline
- 60 days, cap 120 days
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days of determination
- Penalty
- misdemeanor, § 1.50.020
Summary
Unincorporated Hall County enforces minimum residential habitability standards under the 1994 Standard Housing Code, adopted by reference at § 15.90.010; the building official inspects residential buildings under amended § 104 (County Code § 15.90.140) and can order repairs on a 45-to-120-day timeline before pursuing an owner in court.
The Standard Housing Code, 1994 Edition, published by Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama, attached hereto and initialed by the chairman of the board of commissioners of Hall County, is incorporated by reference and adopted as part of this chapter as if fully set out herein... The building official shall make or cause to be made inspections to determine the condition of residential buildings and premises in the interest of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of such buildings and of the general public.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
90 of the county code, subject to a series of local amendments. 140 (amending the model code's Section 104, "Inspections") authorizes the building official to inspect residential buildings and premises "to determine the condition of residential buildings and premises in the interest of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants," and requires owners and occupants to give the official free access during reasonable hours. 180 (amending Section 110, "Permits") requires any owner, agent or contractor who wants to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a residential building to first obtain a permit from the building official, though ordinary minor repairs may proceed without one with the official's approval.
090 sets the correction timeline once a violation notice issues: 45 days to fix major violations and 60 days for minor ones, capped at 120 days regardless, subject to the building official's approval. 160), with a hearing inside 15 days and a decision inside 30 days of the hearing.
Violations & Fines
Failing to make ordered repairs within the notice period lets the building official, county attorney or other authority seek injunction, mandamus or another court order to stop unlawful use or force compliance, and may result in a request that utilities withhold service from the property under § 15.90.170. Doing or failing to do anything the code requires is also a misdemeanor before the Magistrate or State Court of Hall County, punished per § 1.50.020 at the court's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What minimum housing standards apply to rental homes in unincorporated Hall County?
Can the building official inspect a rental property without notice?
How long does a landlord have to fix a housing code violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hall County
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