SB20 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Municipalities, ordinances, planning, zoning, or licensing of businesses, publication or posting further provided for, Sec. 11-45-8 am'd.
Summary: SB20 changes how Alabama municipalities publish notices for ordinances, especially planning/zoning and business licensing, by allowing a synopsis in newspapers and updating posting and online notice rules.
What This Bill Does
It allows an alternative synopsis publication for general or permanent ordinances related to planning, zoning, or licensing/franchising of businesses, in addition to the traditional newspaper or posting methods. The synopsis must include specific details such as the ordinance’s purpose and effect, description of affected property or business categories, dates, and where to obtain the full text; online posting for 30 days is also required, and posting (if used) must be maintained for at least 30 days. The act sets when notices take effect (newspaper publication on first appearance; posting five days after publication), requires a clerk’s publication certificate, and lists exemptions for certain ordinances (like contracts with utilities and bond issuance) while allowing code adoption by reference under specified public notice and examination rules.

Who It Affects
Municipalities (city and town governments) and their officials who must publish or post ordinances under the new rules and may choose publication method (newspaper, posting, or synopsis).
Residents, property owners, and businesses within municipalities who receive notice of planning/zoning actions or licensing/franchising rules and are affected by those ordinances.

Key Provisions
General or permanent ordinances must be published in a newspaper or posted in three public places within the municipality (one at the mayor's office), with certain exceptions.
For planning/zoning or licensing/franchising ordinances, an alternative synopsis publication in a newspaper is allowed in place of full publication, provided the synopsis includes specified information.
Synopsis contents include: a) purpose and effect; b) for planning/zoning, a general description of affected property and its common name; c) for licensing/franchising, the categories of businesses affected and the ordinance’s substance; d) date passed and the effective date; e) a statement that full text is available from the clerk.
If published by posting, the ordinance takes effect five days after publication; if published in a newspaper, it takes effect when it first appears; posting must be maintained for at least 30 days, and online posting is required for 30 days if the municipality has a website.
A certificate detailing the time and manner of publication must be attached after recording the ordinance, and this certificate is presumptive evidence of publication.
Franchise-related ordinances must be published at the expense of the party receiving the franchise.
Certain ordinances (those authorizing contracts with public utilities or issuing bonds) are not considered general or permanent ordinances requiring publication.
Adoption of codes by reference is allowed for certain rules and regulations, with public hearings and access to copies for public examination; future amendments follow the same publication rules.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Municipalities