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.
Snellville, GA
Amplified music plainly audible at property lines or beyond 100 feet prohibited, especially during quiet hours (11 PM-7 AM). Commercial establishments along ...
Snellville, GA
Persistent barking disturbing neighbors violates Snellville's noise ordinance and Gwinnett County animal control rules. Continuous barking for 10+ minutes or...
Snellville, GA
RVs, boats, and trailers generally prohibited in front yards in residential zones. Must be stored in rear/side yard behind setback line, often screened. Temp...
Snellville, GA
Abandoned vehicles regulated under GA Code §40-11-1+ (10 days on public property). Snellville Code Enforcement addresses inoperable vehicles on residential p...
Snellville, GA
On-street parking permitted where not prohibited by signage. Vehicles cannot block driveways, fire hydrants (15 ft), mailboxes, or intersections (20 ft). Par...
Snellville, GA
Commercial vehicles over 3/4 ton or with commercial signage/equipment (dump trucks, box trucks, tractor-trailers) prohibited overnight in residential zones. ...
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