HB216 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Municipalities, ordinances, planning, zoning, or licensing of businesses, publication or posting further provided for, Sec. 11-45-8 am'd.

Summary

HB216 would allow municipalities with 2,000+ residents to publish a synopsis of planning, zoning, or business-licensing ordinances in a local newspaper as an alternative to publishing the full text.

What This Bill Does

If an ordinance relates to planning, zoning, or licensing, the municipality may publish either the full ordinance or a newspaper synopsis describing the substance. The synopsis must include required details like purpose, affected properties or business categories, dates passed and, if different, the effective date, and where to obtain the full copy. Existing posting and website rules still apply when publishing by posting, and the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and Governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Municipalities with a population of 2,000 or more, which gain the option to publish a synopsis in a local newspaper for planning/zoning/licensing ordinances.
• Residents, property owners, and businesses in those municipalities, who receive notice via the newspaper synopsis and can obtain the full ordinance from the city or town clerk.

Key Provisions

• Allows synopsis publication of planning or zoning or business-licensing ordinances in some local newspapers as an alternative to publishing the full text for municipalities with 2,000+ population.
• Requires the synopsis to include: summary of purpose/effect; description of affected property or properties (with common name) or categories of businesses; date passed and, if different, effective date; and a statement that a full copy is available from the clerk.
• Publication of the synopsis takes effect when it first appears in the newspaper; if the ordinance is published by posting, it takes effect five days after posting.
• If posting is used, the municipality must maintain the posting for at least 30 days and, if it has an Internet site, post the ordinance or substance for 30 days there as well.
• The clerk must append a certificate after recording the ordinance stating the time and manner of publication, which is presumptive evidence of publication.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and Governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Municipalities