Environmental Rules in Bessemer, AL (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Bessemer, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Bessemer declares any unauthorized discharge into its storm sewer system a public nuisance under Code of Ordinances § 50-104. Anyone disturbing soil for construction, grading, or land clearing needs a permit from the city's stormwater official or an ADEM NPDES authorization first. Only listed discharges such as lawn watering and footing-drain water stay legal without one.
Bessemer Stormwater Discharge Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsBessemer Code of Ordinances § 50-104
(a)Any discharge of stormwater made in violation of this article or of any condition of a permit issued pursuant to this article is hereby declared a public nuisance and shall be subject to correction and/or abatement in accordance with applicable law.(b)The following direct or indirect discharges into the MS4 are allowable under the terms of this article unless determined by the official to be...
Erosion Control
Bessemer requires an erosion and sedimentation control plan for any subdivision land-disturbing activity exceeding one acre, filed with the building inspector at least 30 days before work starts, with buffer zones and ground cover mandated during construction.
Bessemer Erosion and Sediment Control Standards
Some RestrictionsBessemer Code of Ordinances, Appendix A (Subdivisions) Sec. 10.6, Sec. 10.15
No land-disturbing activity shall be permitted in proximity to a lake, natural watercourse, or adjacent property where applicable, unless a buffer zone is provided along the boundary, of sufficient width to confine visible siltation and/or prevent erosion ... Whenever the area to be disturbed comprises more than one acre, a copy of the plan shall be filed with the building inspector a minimum o...
Flood Zones
Bessemer regulates every FEMA special flood hazard area within city limits under Code of Ordinances §§ 58-31 and 58-33. Before any development, including grading, filling, or new construction, in a mapped floodplain, the property owner must obtain a floodplain development permit from the city's floodplain administrator.
Bessemer Floodplain Development Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsBessemer Code of Ordinances §§ 58-31, 58-33
This article shall apply to all FEMA SFHAs and any additional areas designated by the City of Bessemer as floodplains or areas subject to flooding within the jurisdiction of the City of Bessemer, Alabama. ... A development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this article prior to the commencement of any development, as defined in this article, in identified SFHAs and ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Bessemer requires new and substantially improved homes in a mapped special flood hazard area to sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation under Code of Ordinances § 58-62(1). Nonresidential buildings can dry floodproof to one foot above that same elevation instead of elevating.
Bessemer Flood Elevation Freeboard Requirement
Some RestrictionsBessemer Code of Ordinances § 58-62(1)
(1)Residential structures. Where BFE data is available, new construction, reconstruction or repairs made to a repetitive loss structure, and substantial improvement of any structure or manufactured home shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than two feet above the base flood elevation (also referred to as the design flood elevation). Should solid foundation perimete...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bessemer city rules.
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