Adverse possession in Georgia requires 20 years of possession under O.C.G.A. § 44-5-163, or just 7 years under written 'color of title' under § 44-5-164. The possession must be public, continuous, exclusive, uninterrupted, peaceable, and under a claim of right (§ 44-5-161). A squatter lacking that is a trespasser, removable through the dispossessory process.
O.C.G.A. § 44-5-163 provides that possession meeting the § 44-5-161 requirements 'for a period of 20 years shall confer good title by prescription' against everyone except the state. Section 44-5-164 shortens this to 7 years where the claimant holds 'under written evidence of title' (color of title), unless that writing is forged or fraudulent and the claimant had actual notice. Under § 44-5-161, possession 'must be public, continuous, exclusive, uninterrupted, and peaceable' and 'accompanied by a claim of right'; it cannot originate in fraud, and 'permissive possession cannot be the foundation of a prescription.' A mere squatter lacking these elements is a trespasser, removable via the dispossessory action or charged under criminal trespass law (§ 16-7-21).
Possession that is permissive, secret, interrupted, or shorter than the statutory period confers no title. A squatter who never meets §§ 44-5-161, 44-5-163, or 44-5-164 is a trespasser and may be removed through the dispossessory process and may face criminal trespass charges under O.C.G.A. § 16-7-21.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Duluth, GA
Construction noise typical Duluth hours 7 AM-7 PM weekdays, 9 AM-6 PM Saturdays, prohibited Sundays and holidays. Emergency repairs exempt. Verify active hou...
Duluth, GA
Duluth Code of Ordinances Chapter 34 (Offenses) prohibits unreasonable noise audible beyond property lines. Quiet hours typically 11 PM-7 AM weekdays, midnig...
Duluth, GA
Amplified music audible beyond 50 feet from source in residential areas or after quiet hours violates Duluth noise ordinance. Downtown Duluth amphitheater an...
Duluth, GA
Abandoned vehicles regulated under state law GA Code §40-11-1+ (10 days on public property). Duluth Code Compliance enforces removal of inoperable or abandon...
Duluth, GA
RVs, boats, trailers, and campers may NOT be stored in front yards or driveways visible from the street in residential zones. Must be parked in rear yard, si...
Duluth, GA
Residential driveways must be paved (concrete, asphalt, or pavers) and meet zoning district setback requirements. Curb cuts require a permit from Duluth Publ...
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