Vestavia Hills, AL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Section 11-11(a)(1) makes it the duty of every occupant, owner or agent in control of a house, building or vacant lot abutting, situated on or facing a sidewalk that has been curbed, paved or macadamized to keep that sidewalk bordering the premises, and one-half of the street in front and to the side of it, free from grass, weeds or other spontaneous growth. Anyone who lets that growth reach over 12 inches is guilty of a misdemeanor. The duty does not apply to property zoned agricultural.

The city enforces it through the same weed-abatement machinery used elsewhere in Article I: the city compliance officer, city clerk, mayor, city manager or a police officer can serve the owner, occupant or agent with a first demand to cut the growth within 48 hours. If the property owner does not comply, the matter can be set for a city council hearing on at least ten calendar days' notice, and the council may declare the condition a public nuisance and order abatement. If the owner still fails to correct it within five days of the abatement order, city crews or a designated contractor can enter the property, do the work, and bill the owner; unpaid charges become a lien recorded in the Jefferson County probate office.

Officers may use the Uniform Nontraffic Citation and Complaint to charge a defendant under this section, though the defendant must still appear in court and cannot plead guilty before a magistrate.