Vestavia Hills, AL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Code of Ordinances § 5-222 defines a dangerous building as any building, structure, part of a building or structure, party wall or foundation with any of fifteen listed defects, including walls that lean beyond the middle third of their base, 33 percent or more damage to a supporting member, inadequate egress in case of fire, unsafe equipment such as wiring or boilers, or conditions that make the structure unfit for human habitation. Section 5-223 then declares every building meeting that definition a public nuisance, allowing it to be repaired, vacated, moved or demolished under the article.

The appropriate municipal official, defined in § 5-221 as the city building official or a designee, may inspect public buildings semiannually and investigate any complaint or fire or police department report. Under § 5-225, the official must give the owner written notice by certified mail identifying the property and setting a compliance deadline of at least 45 days for repairs or a work plan, or for a move or demolition. If the owner doesn't comply, § 5-226 requires a public hearing before the city council, which may then order repair, move or demolition at city expense and assess those costs against the property; an aggrieved owner has ten days to appeal to the Circuit Court of Jefferson County.

Section 5-228 makes an unpaid final assessment a lien on the property, superior to all but tax liens. Section 5-230 lets the official act immediately, without notice, when a structure poses imminent danger of collapse.