O.C.G.A. § 8-2-204 (2019)

The provisions of this article shall require any state code enforcement authority and shall permit any authorized local code enforcement authority to permit the repair, alteration, addition, or change of use or occupancy of existing buildings without total compliance with any state or local rule, regulation, code, or standard for new construction requirements under the following general conditions:

(1) All noted conditions hazardous to life, based on the provisions of applicable state and local standards or codes for existing buildings, shall be corrected to a reasonable and realistic degree as set forth in this article, with specific attention to Code Sections 8-2-214 through 8-2-219;

(2) The existing building becomes the minimum performance standard; and

(3) The degree of compliance of the building after changes must not be below that existing before the changes. Nothing in this article will require nor prohibit compliance with requirements more stringent than those provided in this article.