HB331 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ontario J. TillmanRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Class 1 municipalities; vacant property registration authorized

Summary

HB331 would let Class 1 municipalities create a vacant property registration system with fees and maintenance rules to curb problems from empty buildings.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would authorize governing bodies of Class 1 municipalities to adopt ordinances that register vacant real properties, maintain a city-wide database, and enforce maintenance standards. It sets registration requirements, including data to collect and fees (up to $250 per year for residential and up to $1,000 per year for commercial, with possible supplemental fees and extensions). It also provides enforcement tools such as inspections, fines, and liens, and requires property owners to plan restoration and occupancy within 12 months or face consequences; it includes exemptions and processes for new or transferring owners, and allows removal from the database when vacancy ends. The act applies only to municipalities that adopt it and becomes effective October 1, 2025; it does not apply to federal, state, or public corporations.

Who It Affects

• Class 1 municipalities and their governing bodies, who would create and enforce vacant property ordinances, manage the registration database, and administer fees and maintenance standards.
• Owners of vacant properties within Class 1 municipalities, who would need to register properties, pay fees, maintain or restore properties, may undergo inspections, and could face fines or liens if they do not comply.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes Class 1 municipalities to enact and enforce vacant property registration ordinances for residential and/or commercial buildings within their limits, excluding federal/state/public corporate property.
• Establishes a city-wide vacant property registration database and designates a program administrator.
• Requires owners to register vacant properties within specified time frames and provide minimum contact and property information (owner/agent details, property address, transfer date, vacancy date).
• Imposes registration fees: up to $250/year for residential properties and up to $1,000/year for commercial properties; allows supplemental fees up to double the initial fee and up to 10x the initial amount; fees may be prorated or refunded if vacancy ends.
• Provides exemptions and waivers (e.g., good-faith sale/lease, seasonal residence, construction, temporary absence, divorce/probate/estate, restoration plans with 12-month horizon) and allows extensions for good cause or compelling conditions.
• Requires owners to submit a plan for restoration and occupancy; permits inspections of the property; allows municipal fines for noncompliance; allows collection of fees by civil action and liens on the property (§ liens have priority over most liens).
• Subsequent owners assume previous obligations; properties can be removed from the database when no longer vacant; owners may appeal adverse decisions; notices must be sent prior to adverse decisions.
• Effective date is October 1, 2025; act is supplemental to existing vacant-property laws and does not apply to properties owned by the federal government, the State of Alabama, political subdivisions, or public corporations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Counties & Municipalities