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Habersham County accepts first reading of derelict‑vehicle ordinance; full vote next month
Summary
The commission accepted for first reading a proposed ordinance that defines and regulates derelict vehicles (unregistered, inoperative or abandoned for more than 30 days), establishes notice and magistrate‑court procedures and allows county removal and liens for noncompliance; the final vote is scheduled for the next meeting.
Habersham County commissioners accepted for first reading March 17 a proposed ordinance aimed at addressing derelict vehicles on private and public property.
Mike Beauchamp, speaking for code enforcement and planning staff, said the ordinance defines a derelict vehicle as any unregistered, junked, dismantled, inoperative or abandoned vehicle left on private property for more than 30 days. The proposal prohibits storing derelict vehicles on public property and lays out an enforcement sequence: citation to the property owner, a 14‑day removal period, referral to magistrate court if the owner does not comply, and county authority to remove the vehicle and place a lien on the property if ordered by the court.
Beauchamp said the intent is to address individual junk vehicles, not licensed salvage yards or businesses that are regulated under separate county code. He acknowledged exemptions for yard art or legitimate historic displays and stressed the ordinance is intended to avoid harassing residents who keep an older vehicle under a carport or in a building.
The board closed the public hearing on the item, accepted the caption for first reading and voted unanimously to accept it. Administratively, the ordinance will return for a final vote at the next monthly meeting; citizens who wish to speak can address it then.
