City of Alabaster; weed nuisance, abatement authorized, procedures established

Alabaster owners face weed costs, with appeals

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabaster can require owners to clear plant-related nuisances on private property. The Mayor designates an enforcing official, and the City Council selects a separate official to hear challenges. Owners normally have 14 days to clear the nuisance, with up to 28 days for difficult work or unusual factors. The city must post the notice on the property and serve the owner. Service options include hand delivery, first-class mail, delivery to a suitable person at the owner's home or business, or an owner's agent. Mailed notice counts as served when mailed, not when received. The city can use county tax records to identify owners and addresses, and add other notice methods. Owners must request a hearing within five days of service. That request pauses the clearing order until the hearing, which occurs at least 10 days after service. Hearings are public and recorded, and can be rescheduled for good cause. The hearing official must issue a written decision within five days after the hearing. A finding of no nuisance cancels the notice. Otherwise, owners have 14 days after the decision to clear it, with up to 28 days when warranted. Owners can appeal to circuit court within 10 days after receiving the decision and must post a court-cost bond. Appeals receive priority, and trials have no jury. If owners miss the applicable deadline, the city can enter the property and clear it or hire someone. The city must wait until any appeal is finally decided before clearing the property. Afterward, the city must itemize its costs, including labor, equipment, supplies, mailing, advertising, administration, and legal costs. Owners must receive the mailed cost statement at least five days before a public hearing on those charges. After considering objections, the council can revise the charges and place them against the property as a weed lien. The county adds that lien to the next regular property tax bill and collects it for the city. Unpaid liens follow property-tax collection, penalty, foreclosure, and sale rules. The city reimburses county foreclosure costs unless the sale recovers them. Outstanding weed liens must be paid upon redemption or a state sale. Full payment clears the lien; otherwise, it remains enforceable.