Water-lien penalties would follow a property-tax benchmark under Atlanta proposal

An Atlanta proposal would expressly tie penalties and interest on delinquent water and sewer liens to those charged on unpaid property taxes in the county where the property sits.⁠[1]

Ordinance 26-O-1647 is listed for first reading at the Finance/Executive Committee’s November 10 meeting, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the Larry M. Dingle Committee Room at City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue. It is a proposal, not an adopted change: the packet lists committee and City Council consideration as pending.⁠[1][2]

The redlined amendment adds penalties and interest “from and after the date of final determination of costs,” using the applicable county’s property-tax benchmark. The provision already authorizes charging property owners for executing the lien and maintaining its docket. It also retains a prerequisite for placing the lien: the watershed commissioner must certify that other collection methods are ineffective.⁠[1]

The city describes the measure as a clarification. That distinction matters: ATL311’s existing payoff guidance already includes late fees, penalties and applicable interest in the information people can request. The three-page ordinance does not explain whether the proposed benchmark would change amounts the city currently collects.⁠[1][3]

For anyone checking a property’s balance now, ATL311 says owners, renters, attorneys, lenders and other interested parties can request payoff information online or by mail. Its payoff guidance says online requests require a completed form and electronic payment, with processing taking up to 10 business days starting the next business day after successful transmission.⁠[3]

Mail-in requests carry a $10 fee per form and must be sent by certified mail. A payoff amount is valid for 30 days from the statement date, and the city cautions that additional payments may be required to satisfy applicable liens.⁠[3]