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.
Smyrna, GA
Smyrna regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound permits available for events. O.C.G.A. §16-11-39 applies to unreasonable disturbances.
Smyrna, GA
Smyrna Ch. 46 noise ordinance applies to construction. Industry standard is 7 AM–7 PM weekdays. No dedicated construction-hours ordinance; general noise proh...
Smyrna, GA
Smyrna Code Ch. 46, §46-1 — noise ordinance prohibits unreasonable, disturbing sounds. Quiet hours generally 10 PM–7 AM. Complaints filed through Smyrna 311 ...
Smyrna, GA
Smyrna Ch. 46 noise ordinance covers animal noise. Excessive or prolonged barking that is plainly audible and unreasonably disturbing is a violation. Complai...
Smyrna, GA
Smyrna requires all residential vehicles to park on approved hardened surfaces. Parking on grass or unpaved areas is a code violation. Driveway construction ...
Smyrna, GA
Smyrna follows GA standards — generally one commercial vehicle ≤¾ ton permitted in residential zones. Heavier trucks, tractor-trailers, or commercial vehicle...
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