SB29 Summary

• Applies only to Class 8 municipalities and establishes procedures for declaring overgrown grass or weeds as public nuisances based on health, safety, fire, or aesthetic concerns, with a 12-inch height threshold for non-ornamental plants.

• Requires municipalities to serve written notice on property owners via delivery, first-class mail, or posting on the property, allowing owners 10 days to request a hearing before an administrative official or comply with the abatement order.

• Permits municipalities to perform abatement work themselves or contract it out if owners fail to comply, then assess all costs (labor, equipment, advertising, legal fees, materials) against the property as a "weed lien."

• Establishes county tax collectors must add weed lien costs to regular property tax bills, with collections handled like ordinary ad valorem taxes, subject to the same penalties and foreclosure procedures.

• Provides property owners the right to appeal administrative decisions to circuit court within 10 days and supersedes previous Class 8 weed abatement procedures under Alabama Code Title 11, Chapter 67, Article 2.