Marietta, GA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Code adopted
- 2006 International Property Maintenance Code
- Enforcing official
- Development Services Director (housing official)
- Standard repair order
- 60 days to correct
- Emergency hazard window
- 72 hours for electrical/plumbing/heating
- Min. floor space, 4 or fewer occupants
- 150 sq ft + 125 sq ft/occupant
- Appeal deadline
- 30 days to Marietta Municipal Court
Summary
Marietta enforces the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code, adopted and amended at City Code § 7-4-2-100, to set minimum habitability standards for every dwelling. Occupancy limits require 150 square feet for a first occupant plus 125 per additional occupant in small units, and 200 plus 150 in larger ones. The Development Services Director enforces it as housing official.
A.The International Property Maintenance Code, 2006 edition, is adopted as a general ordinance of the city and is incorporated by reference into this section, with the modifications hereinafter set forth. ... "Any dwelling unit that houses four or fewer people shall require 150 square feet of floor space for the first occupant thereof and at least an additional 125 square feet of floor space per additional occupant. Any dwelling unit that houses more than four people shall require at least 200 square feet of floor space for the first occupant thereof and at least an additional 150 square feet of floor space per additional occupant." ... "The ... owner of the structure or tenant of commercial property as provided in the lease shall provide and maintain such plumbing facilities and plumbing fixtures in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy any structure or premises which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
Marietta adopted the 2006 IPMC as a general ordinance and amended dozens of its sections to fit local practice. 2 lets a commercial lease shift repair duty to the tenant, and Section 107 subparagraph 9 makes a written commercial repair agreement an affirmative defense for an owner cited over conditions the tenant contracted to fix. The Development Services Director, designated the housing official under subsection D, or a designee makes inspections and can accept certified reports from approved agencies. 4. A correction order gives 60 days to bring a unit into compliance, but Section 107(7) cuts that to 72 hours when the defect involves electrical, plumbing or heating service that is an imminent danger, after which the housing officer may refer the matter for legal action under City Code § 10-8-060.
2 puts plumbing-fixture maintenance on the owner unless the lease assigns it to a commercial tenant. 2, with costs becoming a lien if the city has to do the work. 1.
Violations & Fines
Because the amended IPMC deletes Section 106.3's own prosecution clause, violations run through the general construction-code penalty at City Code § 7-4-2-090: any person who fails to comply is guilty of a misdemeanor, with each day of continued violation a separate offense, punished within the limits state law allows. Any Marietta law enforcement officer or the development services director may issue a citation compelling a court appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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