Code Enforcement

Follow link to File a Code Enforcement Complaint

Procedure to File a Code Enforcement Complaint:

Any form not signed by the complainant will not be acted upon.
Any form signed anonymously will not be acted upon.
All complaints must be completed on the form authorized by the City of Austell Mayor and Council.
You may download the Written Formal Complaint Form, complete and sign it, then return to Code Enforcement at the address listed on the form. The formal complaint may also be e-mailed to our office, or you may choose the "Submit by Email" button.

One of the City of Austell's highest priorities is to work with residents to preserve and maintain our residential neighborhoods and businesses.

Each neighborhood has its own unique characteristics and concerns and the solutions to their issues depending on the nature of the problems. For example, problems that affect an entire block or neighborhood (for example, gangs, drug activity, parking problems, or property nuisances) are best handled through cooperative efforts between residents and the City.

What Ordinances Do We Enforce?

The Code Enforcement Division primarily enforces Ordinances pertaining to health, safety, and property nuisances. Following are some of those Ordinances we enforce.

Grass and Weeds

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property less than 40,000 square feet or property within any platted and recorded subdivision, to allow grass/weeds over 10 inches in height. After a 20-day notice, the City shall cause the condition to be remedied at the expense of the property owner.

Junk Cars

Any junk, abandoned or inoperative vehicle that remains on a property for longer than 30 days after due notice of violation has been provided per section 22-177 of the City of Austell Code of Ordinances, may be removed by the City of Austell or its duly authorized designee.

Any expenses incurred in remedying the condition shall become payable within 30 calendar days, after which a special assessment lien and charge shall be attached to the property, which shall be payable with interest at the rate of 8 percent per annum from the date of such certification until paid. Such lien shall be in favor of the City of Austell, Georgia, and may be satisfied at any time by payment thereof including accrued interest. Notice of such lien shall be filed in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court and recorded in the public records of Cobb County, Georgia.

Outside Storage Limitations

No outside storage is permitted, with the exception of stacked firewood and lawn furnishings.

Personal Vehicle Sales

No more than three personal vehicle and/or equipment sales are allowed per calendar year on any one parcel of property.

Temporary Signs

The Temporary Local Directional sign code allows temporary signs to temporary events such as church or community gatherings, yard sales, moving sales, estate sales or the sale of an individual house. The code does not include off-premise outdoor advertising signs or signs defined under weekend subdivision directional signs. All temporary local directional signs must be located off the right-of-way.

Garbage Cans and Recycle Bins

Receptacles of any kind may not be left out at the curbside for more than 72 hours.

Structures

Any structure having broken windows, deteriorated paint or stucco, or in a state of disrepair is considered a public nuisance.

Garage Sales

Each resident is allowed four (4) garage sales per year. No signs for advertising these sales are allowed to be posted on any public property, including utility poles. Signs may be posted at the location of the sale on the day of the sale. A garage sale permit will be required and may be applied for in the Community Affairs office located at the Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite141. There is no charge for the permit.

Animals

Cobb County Animal Control and its officers are designated as the city animal control officer, authorized to enforce this chapter and city animal regulations generally. Cobb County Animal Control (770-499-4136)

Dogs

Limited to 4 dogs per dwelling. All waste must be cleaned up and not left on any street, sidewalk, park, parking area or property of the city. Dogs must have an ID tag showing the name and address of the owner as well as a vaccination tag. Uncontrolled dogs are not allowed in the city.

Swine and goats

No person shall keep or maintain any swine or goat within the city.

Poultry (chickens and roosters), fowl, rabbits, horses, mules, ponies, cows and cattle

No person shall keep or maintain within the city, any poultry, fowl, rabbits, horses, mules, ponies, cows or cattle, unless the same are kept or maintained on property having a total area of not less than 2½ acres bordered on all sides by a fence not less than five feet in height and which fence at any point shall be at least 50 feet distant from any residence of any adjoining property owner.

Noise

The making, creation or permitting of any unreasonably loud, disturbing, or unnecessary noise in the city is prohibited.

Animals

The keeping of any dog, cat, bird or other animal which by causing frequent or long-continued noise would disturb the comfort or repose of a reasonable person and in fact does disturb the comfort or repose of persons in the vicinity

Construction Work

The erection (including excavating), demolition, alteration or repair of any building in any residential district or section, the excavation of streets and highways in any residential district or section, other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays

Sound Equipment

The playing, use or operation, or permitting to be played, used or operated, of any radio, tape recorder, cassette player or other machine or device for reproducing sound, if it is located in or on any of the following:

Any public property, including any public street, highway, building, sidewalk, park or thoroughfare
Any motor vehicle on a public street, highway or public space; and if the sound generated is audible at a distance of 100 feet from the device producing the sound

Auto Repair Shops

Auto Shops cannot have bay doors facing a single or two-family residential district. No vehicle kept for repairs can be stored for more than 45 days from the date the vehicle is accepted for repair. The 45-day time limit may be extended to a total of 90 days from the date the vehicle was accepted for repair, if the process to obtain a lien on the vehicle has begun.

Auto Intake/Storage

If you accept vehicles that are NOT repaired the same day or must be stored overnight or longer, you must:

Catalogue and make an inventory of each vehicle received including; date, make and model.
Have no more than two vehicles stored per bay or work station after regular business hours. Any other vehicles must be parked indoors or behind a 6-foot solid screening fence (VMH on the sides)
Hide all vehicles from view by either storing them inside the building , or behind a 6-foot solid screening fence if your shop is withing 200 feet of an area zoned residential. The screening fence must run along the property lines facing the residential property.
All wrecked or dismantled dismantled vehicles must be stored in an enclosed dismantled vehicles must be stored in an enclosed building or completely enclosed behind a minimum 6-foot solid screen fence, no matter how close you are to an area zoned residential.

Exterior Storage

Businesses cannot store or display and merchandise in the open or on the outside of their building. That includes:

Automotive parts (transmissions, engines, mufflers, etc.)
Automotive Accessories (toolboxes, bed liners, bed covers, etc)
Related auto accessories (jack stands, polishes, waxes, floor jacks, etc.)
EXCEPTION

Displays or racks of rims, mags, wheels, or tires can be displayed (3 sets or total of 12 tires) during operating hours, but must be pulled inside at night.

No Outdoor Repair

All repair work must be done in an enclosed building (most have enough bays.) Under the law, even replacement and removal activities are considered repairs and are prohibited outside. This includes changing/ repairing, replacement and any other repair or service (excluding batteries. Ex. Advanced Auto Parts)

When Are Permits Required?

The Code Enforcement Division works closely with the Community Affairs Department. There are many Ordinances that fall under the jurisdiction for which the Code Enforcement enforces or assists in gaining compliance.

A permit is required for new construction or major renovation projects. Permits need to be issued prior to beginning work and must receive a final inspection by the Building Inspector.

If you are unsure if a permit is needed, please contact the Community Development Specialists at (770) 944-4309.