Environmental Rules in Jefferson County, AL (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Anyone disturbing land in unincorporated Jefferson County must register an erosion and sedimentation control plan with the Department of Inspection Services before grading starts. County Subdivision and Construction Regulations Article 13 (Sec. 13.32) sets the design standard, controls must handle a ten-year storm, and requires exposed slopes to be stabilized within 14 days, protecting the county's MS4 storm sewer system and adjoining streams from silt.
Jefferson County Erosion & Stormwater Rules
Significant RestrictionsJefferson County, AL Subdivision and Construction Regulations, Art. 13, § 13.32
The angle for graded slopes and fills shall be no greater than the angle which can be retained by vegetative cover or other adequate erosion control devices or structures. In any event, slopes left exposed will, within the shortest feasible time of final grading (though not to exceed 14 days, per Section 13.40(d)), be planted or otherwise provided with ground cover, devices, or structures suffi...
Erosion Control
Property in the U.S. Highway 280 Corridor Overlay must follow Sec. 1502.08's grading and drainage standards before Jefferson County's Department of Development Services will approve a site plan: slopes steeper than 1:3 rise-to-run are banned, open ditches are prohibited in visible areas, and retaining walls over eight feet must be screened with vegetation from public view.
Jefferson County US 280 Grading and Drainage Rules
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Zoning Resolution § 1502.08(a),(d)-(f)
Except for retaining walls, smooth topographic transition shall be provided throughout the site, and between properties. Slopes steeper than a 1:3 rise-to-run ratio are prohibited. ... In areas that are visible from public property, subsurface drainage structures and grass swales shall be used to manage stormwater. Open ditches are prohibited. The use of crushed granite or limestone for slope s...
Flood Zones
Jefferson County can block subdivision of any land lying within a stream's floodplain outright: Section 10.20(b)(6) lets the Director of Roads and Transportation/County Engineer prohibit the subdivision when necessary for public health, safety or welfare, and bars clearing, grading or dumping in preserved floodplain areas except at the Director's own discretion.
Jefferson County Floodplain Subdivision Rule
Significant RestrictionsJefferson County Subdivision and Construction Regulations § 10.20(b)(6)
6. Flood Plain District. The Director of Roads and Transportation/County Engineer may when he deems it necessary for the health, safety, or welfare of the present and future population of the area and when necessary to the conservation of water, drainage, and sanitary facilities, prohibit the subdivision of any portion of the property which lies within the flood plain of any stream or drainage ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Before Jefferson County will accept a final subdivision plat, Section 204.03(d)(6) of the Subdivision and Construction Regulations requires the map to delineate the 100-year floodplain and floodway, cite the FEMA/FIRM panel number and issue date, and state the Base Flood Elevation for every lot the floodplain affects, keeping flood exposure visible before lots record.
Jefferson County Plat Base Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Subdivision and Construction Regulations § 204.03(d)(6)
6. The 100-Year Floodplain and any Floodway affecting the platted property, along with the FEMA/FIRM panel number(s) from which that information was obtained, and the date of issuance of same. Furthermore, if any portion of the platted property is in either of these designated flood zones, the respective boundaries of each applicable zone must be delineated on the plat, and the Base Flood Eleva...
Environmental Rules by City in Jefferson County
3 cities in Jefferson County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Jefferson County ordinances
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