Parties
Identify grantor(s) and grantee(s) with full legal names, entity types, and contact information; include successors and assigns language.
A well-drafted Georgia Drainage Contract reduces flood risk, clarifies who maintains drainage facilities, protects property values, and limits future disputes. It preserves priority through timely recording and can allocate repair costs and access rights to avoid litigation.
Identifying the right stakeholders early avoids gaps in authority and ensures the agreement will be accepted by county recorders and enforced if disputes arise.
A property owner signs as grantor or grantee and must ensure the contract matches the legal name on title. The owner is typically responsible for granting access, permitting repairs, and complying with maintenance obligations described in the contract.
Local government signatories accept dedication of stormwater improvements or approve municipal access clauses. The director or authorized representative confirms acceptance standards and whether municipal maintenance or inspections will apply under local ordinances.
A developer granted a perpetual drainage easement to a county for a detention basin
Two adjacent homeowners recorded a shared-swale maintenance agreement
Save the final signed contract as PDF/A for long-term preservation; this format retains appearance and is widely accepted by recorders and courts.
Keep an editable DOCX version during negotiation to track edits, then convert to PDF/A prior to signing and recording to lock terms.
Store a certified recorded copy with metadata (recording date, county, book/folio) and back it up in secure cloud storage with restricted access.
Attach the recorded plat, survey, maintenance schedule, and any municipal acceptance letters as exhibits to the agreement.
Enter as MM/DD/YYYY; obligations start on that date.
Record promptly after notarization to protect priority.
Specify the date for the first joint inspection after installation.
State inspection and cleaning frequencies (e.g., annually or biannually).
Require written notice periods for access or repair entry (e.g., 7–14 days where practical).
Identify grantor(s) and grantee(s) with full legal names, entity types, and contact information; include successors and assigns language.
Attach a recorded plat or metes-and-bounds description that precisely locates the easement, plus a map or exhibit for visual reference.
Describe permitted actions in the easement area (inspection, repair, dredging), access routes, equipment limits, and restrictions.
State who performs routine maintenance, how costs are allocated, timelines for repairs, and procedures for emergency work.
Allocate responsibility for damages, require insurance where applicable, and set indemnity language to manage third-party claims.
Require recording in county records, specify remedies for default including enforcement costs, and include dispute resolution provisions.
| Document Type | Drainage Contract | Easement by Deed |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Use | defines ongoing obligations | grants permanent rights |
| Recording Effect | recorded covenant | recorded property interest |
| Termination | often revocable by terms | usually perpetual unless reserved |
| Cost Allocation | contractual splits common | easement may not allocate costs |
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Finalize contract language and exhibits before circulating to signers.
All parties sign in the presence of a notary or via permitted RON process.
Record the instrument at the county clerk or register of deeds to provide notice.
Obtain municipal or county acceptance if the easement is dedicated to public use.
Include a standard notary acknowledgement or jurat suitable for recording.
Verify signer identity using government ID for in-person notaries or approved credential analysis for RON.
If using remote notarization, confirm Georgia permits the session and meets state RON requirements.
Determine whether a witness is required by the county or state for the instrument type.
For RON sessions, retain required audio-video recordings per state rules.
Notaries should log the transaction per state notary law.
Obtain a recorded stamped copy to distribute to parties and title companies.
Provide recorded evidence to lenders and insurers to update title records.
Verify the vendor supports county-specific recording formats and preserves an admissible audit trail (timestamps, IP, signer attribution) for enforcement.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signature Field | Assignable to each signer; require date and printed name |
| Notary Block | Include a notary signature and jurat fields for recording |
| Conditional Fields | Show cost allocation or permit exhibits only when applicable |
| Routing Order | Define signer sequence to support notarization and final recording |