Birmingham property owners must keep premises free of conditions that harbor rats and mice, including overgrown vegetation, accumulated debris, and improperly stored garbage, under the city's Title 11 health and Title 10 nuisance codes.
Title 11 of the Birmingham General Code authorizes the city and JCDH to inspect properties for rodent harborage. Owners must store garbage in rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids, eliminate standing water, and maintain weeds under 12 inches. Birmingham's vacant building registration program (Title 6) requires owners to seal openings larger than one-quarter inch to prevent rodent entry. JCDH may require professional extermination at the owner's expense after written notice. Repeat conditions on the same parcel trigger escalating civil penalties under Title 10 and possible nuisance abatement liens against the property.
First-notice violations carry a $100 fine plus abatement costs. Failure to correct within 10 days may result in city contractor abatement billed to the owner, with liens placed on the property.
See how Birmingham's rodent control rules stack up against other locations.
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