Bill > HB409

This bill establishes procedures for the City of Alabaster to address weed nuisances on private property. It authorizes the Mayor to appoint an "enforcing official" who can issue written notices to property owners detailing the nuisance and requiring its removal, known as "abatement," within 14 days, with a possible extension to 28 days. Property owners can opt for a hearing before an "administrative official," who is a different city employee, to contest the nuisance claim, with notice of intent to attend the hearing required within five days. The enforcing official must post the notice on the property and serve it to the owner through methods like hand delivery, mail, or leaving it with someone at the residence or business. The city can use county tax records to identify property owners and their addresses. If a nuisance is not abated and a hearing is held, the administrative official will issue a written decision, which can be appealed to the circuit court. If the nuisance persists, the city can perform the abatement itself or hire a contractor, and the costs incurred will be assessed against the property as a "weed lien." This weed lien will be added to the property's tax bill by the county revenue commissioner and collected like other municipal taxes, with penalties and foreclosure procedures similar to delinquent property taxes. The bill also specifies that any future redemption or sale of the property must include payment of any outstanding weed lien for it to be extinguished.

Government Affairs, Justice

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