Cal. Civ. Code § 8-2-222
Immunity of state and local entities; liability of property owner or user.
Operative Text
Nothing in this article shall be construed to constitute a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the state or any officer or employee thereof in carrying out the provisions of this article. Further, no action shall be maintained against the state, any municipality, county, or any duly authorized elected or appointed officer or duly authorized employee thereof, for damages sustained as a result of any fire or hazard covered by this article by reason of inspection or other action taken or not taken pursuant to this article. Nothing in this article shall be construed to relieve any property owner or lessee or person in charge thereof from any legal duty, obligation, or liability incident to the ownership, maintenance, or use of such property.
O.C.G.A. § 8-2-222 establishes that Georgia state and local governments, along with their officers and employees, retain sovereign immunity and cannot be sued for damages arising from fires or hazards covered by the article, whether those damages result from an inspection that was conducted or one that was skipped. At the same time, the provision makes clear that this governmental protection does not extend to private parties: property owners, lessees, and those in charge of a property remain fully responsible under existing legal duties for how that property is owned, maintained, and used. In short, the rule draws a firm line between public-sector immunity and private-sector accountability.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under O.C.G.A. § 8-2-222, the fact that a government inspector visited a property—or failed to visit—does not transfer legal responsibility away from the property owner or manager. Compliant operators generally maintain properties in accordance with applicable fire and hazard standards independently of any government inspection schedule, because the statute preserves their full legal duty, obligation, and liability. Keeping thorough maintenance records and addressing known hazards proactively reflects the ongoing accountability that this provision leaves squarely with private property owners.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
O.C.G.A. § 8-2-222 makes clear that a government entity's inspection activity—or inactivity—does not eliminate a property owner's or lessee's legal responsibilities regarding fire and hazard conditions. Tenants who experience unsafe conditions related to fire or other hazards covered by this article may still have recourse against the private owner or person in charge of the property, since that party's legal duties remain intact under this provision. Tenants can explore options such as contacting a local housing authority, raising habitability concerns through available complaint channels, or consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand what remedies may apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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