HB493 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mary MooreRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Birmingham, establish vacant building program, and procedures

Summary

The bill would require the City of Birmingham to create a vacant building registration program by ordinance, with fees, enforcement tools, and use of fee proceeds for safety and property maintenance.

What This Bill Does

It defines what a vacant building is and allows exemptions for good cause. It requires Birmingham to establish a registration program and collect fees, with procedures for administration and enforcement. It may require an in-state contact for out-of-state owners, and allows liens or civil actions for unpaid fees with notice and an appeal right. Fee proceeds would be set aside to fund public safety, program monitoring, and repair or demolition of vacant structures; the act becomes effective after governor approval and three months.

Who It Affects

• Property owners of vacant buildings in the City of Birmingham, who may need to register their property, pay fees, and could face liens or civil actions for delinquent fees (with possible exemptions for good cause).
• Residents and public safety agencies in Birmingham, who may experience improved safety and emergency notifications, and benefit from the city's enforcement and use of funds for safety, monitoring, and property repairs or demolitions.

Key Provisions

• Defines vacant building and specifies it applies only to the City of Birmingham, excluding new buildings under construction or other exempted buildings.
• Requires the City Council to establish a vacant building registration program by ordinance and to allow exemptions for good cause on a case-by-case basis.
• Authorizes registration fees, sets up administration and collection procedures, and allows liens or civil actions for unpaid fees, with prior notice to the owner.
• Allows the owner residing outside Alabama to designate a local agent in the state to receive service and notices, and to act as the responsible local party for emergencies.
• Provides an appeal process for determinations under the ordinance and notes service alternatives if certified mail is not feasible.
• Places registration fee proceeds into a separate account to fund public safety, program monitoring, and the repair, closing, or demolition of vacant structures.

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

Subjects

Jefferson County