AlabamaClass 1 Alabama cities may register vacant properties under local rules
Starting October 1, 2026, a Class 1 Alabama city may require owners to register qualifying vacant property and pay capped annual fees.
What it does
A Class 1 Alabama city may adopt rules to register and maintain vacant homes and business buildings. The rules cannot cover government-owned property.
A city ordinance may require owners to register qualifying vacant property and pay yearly fees capped by law. It must include exemptions, including for property actively offered for sale or rent.
A city ordinance may require owners to secure and maintain vacant buildings, allow inspections with notice, and set fines for violations. Owners may appeal city decisions.
Argument forA city could track vacant buildings and require upkeep, helping it spot neglected properties and address safety or code problems.
Argument againstOwners could face yearly fees and fines, and recorded liens could make it harder to sell or refinance property.
More detail
A Class 1 municipality may adopt an ordinance to register and maintain vacant properties. The authority applies only within a Class 1 municipality that adopts an ordinance, which may cover residential and commercial buildings. The ordinance must create a citywide database and name a program administrator. It cannot cover property owned by the federal government, Alabama, a political subdivision, or a public corporation. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
A city ordinance may require owners to register vacant property and pay an annual fee. A building generally counts as vacant after 90 consecutive days without lawful occupancy or substantially all lawful activity, if it also shows signs of neglect. Exceptions include certain second homes and multiunit buildings with an occupied unit or active marketing. The first year's fee cannot exceed $250. Later yearly fees cannot exceed 150% of the prior year's fee or $1,000. The ordinance must provide exemptions, including for property advertised in good faith for sale or lease, and for certain seasonal, repair, construction, temporary absence, and estate situations. For a restoration plan, a fee waiver may be reclaimed if restoration or occupancy has not started within 12 months. The administrator may grant up to one extra year if conditions beyond the owner's control significantly delayed efforts. Owners generally have 30 days after a property becomes vacant or they take ownership to register. Owners acquiring it through foreclosure or a deed in lieu generally have 90 days.
A city ordinance may set upkeep rules, allow inspections, and impose fines or liens for violations. These rules apply to property covered by a municipality's vacant-property ordinance. An ordinance may allow inspections after at least 10 days' notice and must give owners advance notice and a way to appeal adverse decisions. Fines cannot exceed $1,000 per violation. Unpaid fees or fines become a lien only after notice is recorded in the probate office. A city may address noncompliant conditions after at least 30 days' notice, but the owner remains responsible for the work and its reasonable cost. An ordinance may allow inspections after registration takes effect or is required, with at least 10 days' notice and yearly inspections while the property remains registered. A city must give at least 30 days' notice before taking steps to address noncompliant conditions.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 8EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 8Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 8Signature Requested
- Apr 8Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 7Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Coleman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1160. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1161. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1159. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Moore (M) Motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1251. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Jefferson County Legislation 1st Substitute Offered (Jefferson County Legislation)Minor
- Apr 7Chambliss motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1159Major
- Apr 7Coleman 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Apr 7Coleman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1160Major
- Apr 7Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1161Passed Senate
- Apr 7Moore (M) Motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1251Major
- Apr 7Ready to Enroll
- Apr 2Jefferson County Legislation 1st Substitute (Jefferson County Legislation)
- Apr 2Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Apr 2Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Jefferson County Legislation)Minor
- Mar 31Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Jefferson County LegislationMinor
- Mar 31Pending Committee Action in Second House (Jefferson County Legislation)
- Mar 17Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 896. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 895. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 17Jefferson County Legislation Engrossed Substitute Offered (Jefferson County Legislation)Minor
- Mar 17Moore (M) motion to Table - Adopted Voice VoteMajor
- Mar 17Tillman 1st Substitute OfferedMinor
- Mar 17Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 895Major
- Mar 17Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 896Passed House
- Mar 17Engrossed
- Mar 12Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Jefferson County Legislation)
- Mar 12Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Jefferson County Legislation)Minor
- Jan 22Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Jefferson County LegislationMinor
- Jan 22Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Jefferson County Legislation)Introduced
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