Jefferson County, AL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Public nuisance authority
- Alabama Act No. 91-193 (Sec. 103.6.1)
- Nuisance notice minimum
- 60 days before county demolition
- Fire-damaged structure removal
- Start in 90 days, finish in 6 months
- Nuisance appeal deadline
- 10 days to circuit court (Sec. 103.6.2)
- Demolition cost
- Assessed against the property
- Emergency unsafe buildings
- Building Official's decision is final
Summary
Jefferson County declares a building "unsafe" under Section 103.5.1 if it lacks adequate egress, is a fire hazard, or threatens safety through dilapidation, obsolescence or abandonment, and requires the owner to repair or demolish it. Under Section 103.6 (Alabama Act No. 91-193), a building unsafe to the point of public nuisance can be demolished by the county itself after 60 days' notice, billed to the owner.
103.5.1 All buildings or structures which are unsafe or not provided with adequate egress, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life, or which in relation to existing use constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment are severally in contemplation of this section, unsafe buildings. All such unsafe buildings are hereby declared illegal and shall be abated by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition in accordance with the following procedure: 103.5.1.1. Whenever the Building Official finds any building or structure or portion thereof to be unsafe, as defined in this section, he/she shall... give the owner, agent, or person in control of such building or structure written notice stating the defects thereof. This notice shall require the owner within a stated time either to complete specified repairs or improvements, or to demolish and remove the building or structure or portion thereof.
Full Breakdown
1 requires the Building Official to give the owner, agent or person in control written notice of the specific defects once a building or structure is found unsafe, with a stated deadline to either complete repairs or demolish and remove it. 2); removing that posted notice without written permission is itself unlawful. 6). 7). 1 lets the Building Official pursue a public-nuisance track authorized by Alabama Act No. 91-193: certified-mail notice to the last assessed owner and mortgagees of record, giving no less than 60 days to remedy or demolish, posted at the building within three days.
2, the owner can request a hearing before the Jefferson County Commission within that window; if the Commission finds the structure a public nuisance, it can order demolition by county forces or contract and sell salvaged materials to offset costs, with any aggrieved party able to appeal to circuit court within 10 days.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring an unsafe-building or public-nuisance order exposes the owner to demolition costs assessed against the property (Sections 103.5.1.6 and 103.6) in addition to the Code's general penalty under Section 113: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500, 30 days in jail, or both, plus $50 for each day the violation continues, once 10 days' written notice from the Director of Development Services has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building "unsafe" in Jefferson County?
Can the county demolish my building without a court order?
How long do I have to remove a fire-damaged building?
Can I appeal an unsafe-building order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Alabama property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.