How much junk is too much?  That’s a question the the Town of Lyerly is looking to address with an ordinance that would allow the town to place a lien on properties that have excessive amounts of junk within the town limits. 

At the last Lyerly Town Council meeting, Lyerly Mayor Jim Ferguson told the council that the town’s attorney is preparing a “clean it or lien it” ordinance that would allow the town to place a lien against properties that have an excessive amount of junk.  The town hopes to limit the amount of junk that would be allowed on a specific property.

A survey of surrounding municipalities and counties in Northwest Georgia show that many have ordinances that deal with excessive amounts of junk, derelict cars and trucks and abandoned buildings.  The “clean it or lien it” ordinances also allow for an appeals process for property owners before a lien can be enforced.