House Bill 315 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mary MooreRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Class 1 municipalities; blighted property registration ordinance authorized, registration fee authorized

Summary

Allows Class 1 municipalities in Alabama to adopt blighted property registration ordinances, create a city-wide database, and charge fees to address blighted properties.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes Class 1 municipalities to enact and enforce blighted property registration ordinances and maintain a city-wide database with a designated program administrator. Property owners must register blighted properties within specified timeframes and provide basic ownership and property information, then pay annual registration fees (with defined initial amounts and annual increases up to set caps). The ordinance may include inspections, fines, civil actions, and liens to collect unpaid fees, and provides for exemptions, waivers, and opportunities to appeal adverse decisions. It establishes definitions and criteria for what counts as blighted and outlines the process for maintaining the database and removing properties when they are no longer blighted.

Who It Affects

• Property owners of blighted properties within Class 1 municipalities who must register properties, provide owner information, and pay registration fees (with potential penalties or liens for noncompliance)
• Class 1 municipalities themselves, which gain authority to adopt and administer the blighted property registration ordinances, maintain the database, and enforce compliance and fees.

Key Provisions

• Authorize Class 1 municipalities to adopt a blighted property registration ordinance and create a city-wide database with a program administrator.
• Define blighted property and evidence of blight (e.g., vacancy 90 days, overgrowth, trash, deterioration, graffiti, absence of occupancy).
• Require owners to register blighted properties within 30 days of blight or ownership transfer and provide minimum information (owner/agent contact, property address, parcel ID, blight date).
• Impose annual registration fees: residential $250 initial, increasing by $100 annually up to $750; commercial $500 initial, increasing by $250 annually up to $2,000; refunds on a prorated basis if no longer blighted; exemptions possible.
• Provide exemptions and waivers (e.g., seasonal residence, fire/damage, construction, restoration plans with a 12-month window, extensions for compelling circumstances, good-cause exemptions).
• Allow enforcement measures including fines, civil actions, and liens; enable inspections; require removal from the database when no longer blighted; require restoration plans; provide for notice and appeal procedures.
• Require transfer of obligations to new owners; require notices; allow case-by-case exemptions for good cause; provide for in-state agent for notices when owner lives outside Alabama.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Counties & Municipalities