HB331 Summary

• Authorizes Class 1 municipalities in Alabama to adopt vacant property registration ordinances requiring owners to register vacant residential and commercial properties within 30 days of vacancy.

• Establishes maximum registration fees of $250 annually for residential properties and $1,000 annually for commercial properties, with supplemental fees up to 10 times the initial fee amount for continued vacancy.

• Requires municipalities to create a city-wide database, maintain records of property owners, and allow inspections of vacant properties at registration and yearly intervals thereafter.

• Provides exemptions from registration fees for properties advertised for sale/lease, under construction, damaged by fire or disaster, subject to legal proceedings, or demonstrating restoration plans approved by the municipality.

• Authorizes municipalities to enforce compliance through fines and to place liens on vacant properties for unpaid fees and costs of repairs or maintenance ordered by the city, with liens superior to all other liens except tax liens.