Limited Self-Government in Mobile County, Alabama

    
 
 

 

 

 

Mobile County, P.O. Box 1443 Mobile, AL 36633 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the Limited Self-Government Act?

Residents in the unincorporated areas of Mobile County passed a referendum on June 6th  called “The Alabama Limited Self Government Act” in  the unincorporated areas of Mobile County.  This Act was referred to as Act No. 2005-200 on the ballot and gives the County the authority to pass ordinances (with public notice) to conduct nuisance abatement for the following issues: 

    Weeds  -   Junkyards   -   Litter and Rubbish  -  Noise Pollution

                     Animal Control   -   Unsanitary Sewage

These terms are defined in the Code of Alabama and the Act provides references to them. Click Here to view the definitions in the Code of Alabama.

The Act CANNOT be used to: 

• Raise or levy taxes

• Establish planning and zoning

• Regulate utilities, railroads, landfills or other companies already regulated by a number of named agencies

• To expend money on private property or violate property rights

Only those residents in the unincorporated areas of the county voted on the Act.

Now that the legislation has passed, what happen next?

The County Commission may adopt specific ordinances for these particular issues and will publish notice of the proposed ordinances before voting on them. For example, a junkyard regulation ordinance will allow for the regulation of the accumulation, storage and sale of wrecked/damaged vehicles in order to minimize health and safety hazards created by the same.  The ordinances  will also provide for the use of penalties for violations and will provide for a warning and appeals process for citations. 

WHERE DOES THE COMMISSION HAVE AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION?

The legislation specifically prohibits the county from taking any actions inside a city’s limits. The concept behind the bill is that only voters in the unincorporated area should vote and the commission should only exercise the powers in the unincorporated areas.

WHAT ABOUT THE FINES?

Fines are limited to $150 per violation. The ordinance section also provides for notice to all those who are violating an ordinance and an opportunity for those affected to appeal to the commission.

WHAT IF THE VOTERS AREN’T HAPPY?

The bill provides a process for the voters to sign a petition to call a vote on repealing the powers.