This research assessed the surface properties of modified activated carbons with three different acids and five different metals for ammonia gas removal. Raw bituminous coal-based activated carbon ($4{ imes}8$ mesh) had low adsorption capacity of 0.72 mg $NH_3/g$ based on the analysis in the column adsorption experiment. Adsorption capacities of carbons modified with $CH_3COOH$, $H_3PO_4$, and $H_2SO_4$ increased up to 3.34, 21.00, and 35.21 mg $NH_3/g$, respectively. Those of carbons with Cu, Zn, Zr, Fe, and Sn were 9.63, 9.13, 7.09, 25.12 and 15.03 mg $NH_3/g$. Ammonia adsorption was enhanced by the presence of surface oxygen groups on carbon materials, which influenced pH of carbon surface. BET surface area of raw carbon was analyzed to be $1087m^2/g$, but it decreased by carbon surface modification. Fe-impregnated carbon showed $503.02m^2/g$ of surface area. These observations were mostly caused by chemical adsorption.