Georgia § 44-1-17 - Responsibilities of buyers or grantees and grantors or owners relating to transfers of property within or adjacent to property zoned for agricultural or silvicultural use; notice to prospective purchaser, lessee, or grantee; effect of noncompliance.

§ 44-1-17. Responsibilities of buyers or grantees and grantors or owners relating to transfers of property within or adjacent to property zoned for agricultural or silvicultural use; notice to prospective purchaser, lessee, or grantee; effect of noncompliance.

Prior to any purchase, lease, or other acquisition of real property or any interest in real property located within any county which has land zoned for agricultural or silvicultural use or identified on an approved county land use plan as agricultural or silvicultural use, it shall be the buyer's or grantee's responsibility to determine whether the subject property is within, partially within, or adjacent to any property zoned or identified on an approved county land use plan as agricultural or silvicultural use. If the grantor, owner, or agent of the owner knows that the property being acquired is within, partially within, or adjacent to any property zoned or identified on an approved county land use plan as agricultural or silvicultural use, the owner or agent for the owner shall deliver to the prospective purchaser, lessee, or grantee a notice which states the following: "It is the policy of this state and this community to conserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of farm and forest land for the production of food, fiber, and other products, and also for its natural and environmental value. This notice is to inform prospective property owners or other persons or entities leasing or acquiring an interest in real property that the property in which they are about to acquire an interest lies within, partially within, or adjacent to an area zoned, used, or identified for farm and forest activities and that farm and forest activities occur in the area. Such farm and forest activities may include intensive operations that cause discomfort and inconveniences that involve, but are not limited to, noises, odors, fumes, dust, smoke, insects, operations of machinery during any 24 hour period, storage and disposal of manure, and the application by spraying or otherwise of chemical fertilizers, soil amendments, herbicides, and pesticides. One or more of these inconveniences may occur as the result of farm or forest activities which are in conformance with existing laws and regulations and accepted customs and standards." Noncompliance with any provision of this Code section shall not affect title to real property nor prevent the recording of any document. This Code section shall not apply to any transaction involving title passing by foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, tax deed, deed to secure debt, or from an executor or administrator. This Code section shall not create a cause of action for damages or equitable relief. (Code 1981, § 44-1-17 , enacted by Ga. L. 1995, p. 1198, § 1.) Editor's notes. - Ga. L. 1995, p. 1198, § 4(a), not codified by the General Assembly, provides that this Code section applies to any transaction involving real property entered into on or after July 1, 1995. Law reviews. - For note on the 1995 enactment of this Code section, see 12 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 313 (1995).