HB265 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rich Wingo
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Municipal planning commission, adopt regulations authorizing administrative approval of minor subdivisions without notice and a public hearing under certain conditions, Sec. 11-52-31 am'd.
Summary: Allows Alabama municipalities to adopt rules that let planning commissions approve minor subdivisions without a public hearing under certain conditions.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends the subdivision law to let municipal planning commissions adopt regulations that authorize administrative approval of minor subdivisions without a public hearing. A minor subdivision is defined as up to six new lots or a reduction of lots in an existing subdivision, with no required public improvements, public road dedication, or use of public funds, and it must not conflict with master plans or zoning. It also allows bonds to guarantee improvements instead of requiring them upfront, and requires the regulations to be published and subjected to a public hearing before adoption; tentative approvals may be allowed but are revocable and not recorded on the plat.

Who It Affects
Municipalities and their planning commissions in Alabama, who gain authority to adopt regulations permitting administrative approval of minor subdivisions without a public hearing under certain conditions.
Developers and landowners seeking to subdivide land into up to six lots, who could obtain final approval through administrative processes if the commission adopts the regulations.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 11-52-31 to authorize a municipal planning commission to adopt subdivision regulations, including an option for administrative approval of minor subdivisions without a public hearing under defined conditions.
Defines a minor subdivision as not more than six new lots or a reduction of existing lots, with no requirement for public improvements, public road dedication, or public funds, and without conflicts with the master plan, zoning map, zoning ordinance, or other subdivision regulations.
Allows the use of bonds with surety to secure the construction and installation of required improvements in lieu of prior completion, with the municipality empowered to enforce the bond.
Regulations may provide for tentative approval of a plat prior to improvements, but such tentative approval is revocable and not recorded on the plat.
Regulations must be published before adoption, and a copy must be certified to the probate judge; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after 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: Planning Commissions