Clayton County, GA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2018 International Property Maintenance Code
- Heat required
- Sept. 1 to June 1
- Insect screens required
- May 1 to Nov. 1
- Notice before penalty
- at least 24 hours
- Stop-work violation fine
- up to $1,000 per violation
Summary
Clayton County enforces the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, as locally amended, against every rental property in the unincorporated county, requiring working heat from September 1 to June 1, insect screens from May 1 to November 1, and giving owners at least 24 hours' notice to fix a violation before facing misdemeanor charges.
(b)The board of commissioners adopts the 2018 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code and the 2018 edition of the Existing Building Code, as adopted and amended by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. ... Adoption of the following changes to the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code is hereby added: ... (f)In section 304.14 Insect Screens to delete the phrase "(Date) to (Date)" and substitute in lieu thereof the phrase "May 1 to November 1".(g)In section 602.3 Heat Supply to delete the phrase "(Date) to (Date)" and substitute in lieu thereof the phrase "September 1 to June 1".(h)In section 602.4 Occupiable Work Spaces to delete the phrase "(Date) to (Date)" and substitute in lieu thereof the phrase "September 1 to June 1".
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 104).
Full Breakdown
The board of commissioners adopted the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, along with the 2018 International Existing Building Code, as the county's habitability standard for every structure in the unincorporated county (Sec. 18-1(b)). Sec. 4's occupiable-work-space heating requirements both run "September 1 to June 1" (18-72(f)-(h)). 00 for each violation of a stop-work order (18-72(c)). Enforcement runs through Sec. 18-26: any owner or occupant whose property is out of compliance gets at least 24 hours' notice and a chance to fix it before being charged, punished under Sec.
1-12, except that an "imminent danger" condition under IPMC Section 109 requires immediate compliance with no further notice. Sec. 18-23(a)(1) makes clear that every property owner, tenant and resident in the unincorporated county, not just landlords, must comply with the construction codes, and where a general and a specific requirement conflict, the more specific one controls.
Violations & Fines
A landlord or occupant who ignores a property-maintenance notice of violation after the 24-hour cure period, or who lets a property fall into an "imminent danger" condition under IPMC Section 109, is guilty of a misdemeanor under Sec. 1-12 (18-26(a)). Continuing work after a stop-work order draws a separate fine of up to $1,000.00 per violation under the county's Sec. 18-72(c) amendment to IPMC Section 112.4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What habitability code applies to rental homes in unincorporated Clayton County?
When must a rental unit have working heat in Clayton County?
Can a landlord be fined immediately for a maintenance violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clayton County
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