Huntsville, AL Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum heat
- 68°F in winter, per Sec. 7-383(e)
- Hot water
- 120°F at kitchen/bath fixtures
- Plumbing required
- sink, tub/shower, water closet
- Enforced by
- city housing official
- First offense fine
- $100 to $500
Summary
Huntsville's Minimum Housing Standards code requires every rental dwelling unit to have working plumbing, hot water, and heat that reaches 68 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, enforced by the city's housing official under Code Chapter 7, Article V.
(a) Sanitary facilities. Every dwelling unit shall contain not less than a kitchen sink, lavatory, tub or shower, and a water closet, all in good working condition and properly connected to an approved water and sewer system. ... (e)(1) Every dwelling unit shall have permanent heating facilities which are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms and bathrooms to a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit at a distance three feet above floor level, under minimum winter conditions.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 30 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Huntsville's Minimum Housing Standards ordinance (Code of Ordinances Ch. 7, Art. V) sets the baseline every rental dwelling unit must meet: a working kitchen sink, lavatory, tub or shower, and water closet connected to an approved water and sewer system, hot water reaching 120 degrees at the tap, and permanent heat capable of holding 68 degrees in every habitable room during winter. Landlords must also provide smoke detectors and adequate garbage disposal facilities. The city's housing official enforces the article, and buildings that don't comply can be condemned and occupancy prohibited under Sec. 7-354.
Violations & Fines
Violating minimum housing standards is enforced as a misdemeanor: fines of $100-$500 for a first offense, up to $500 plus jail time for repeat violations, and unfit dwellings can be condemned under Sec. 7-353.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Huntsville landlord have to provide heat?
What plumbing must a rental unit in Huntsville have?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntsville
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