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.
Marietta, GA
Marietta Code Pt. 10, Ch. 10-6 — sound levels capped at 65 dBA daytime and 60 dBA nighttime at receiving property line. Quiet hours 11 PM–7 AM. Violations re...
Marietta, GA
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Marietta, GA
Marietta Code Pt. 10, Ch. 10-6 — construction noise subject to general noise decibel limits. Industry practice and permit conditions typically restrict loud ...
Marietta, GA
Marietta regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound permits available for events. O.C.G.A. §16-11-39 applies to unreasonable disturba...
Marietta, GA
Marietta follows standard GA traffic code for street parking. All vehicles must be operable and parked on approved surfaces. No parking on grass in residenti...
Marietta, GA
Marietta requires all vehicles to park on concrete, asphalt, or other approved hardened surfaces. Parking on grass, dirt, or gravel is a code violation. Driv...
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