City of Huntsville Zoning Changes & DecisionsDelivered Same-Day

Zoning and land-use planning in the City of Huntsville is overseen by the Huntsville Planning Commission, which was established by the Huntsville City Council on August 12, 1948. The Commission advises the Mayor, City Council, and City departments on planning goals, policies, and plans for the physical development of the city, and it was authorized to create the city's zoning plan. It is made up of 12 members plus two supernumerary members. The Planning Commission meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the 2nd floor Chamber at City Hall, unless otherwise noted.

A rezoning (zoning map amendment) is reviewed first by the Huntsville Planning Commission, which holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation. The City Council then provides final approval on rezoning changes following a public hearing at its regularly scheduled meeting. Questions about the rezoning application can be directed to the City's Zoning Enforcement Office at Huntsville City Hall, 4th Floor, 305 Fountain Circle, Huntsville, AL 35801, phone 256-564-8008, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Huntsville Board of Zoning Adjustment hears appeals about enforcement of the zoning ordinance and decides variance and special exception requests. It consists of five members plus two supernumerary members appointed by the Mayor with City Council approval. The Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in Room 621 at City Hall, unless otherwise noted. As part of a variance or special exception request, the applicant must obtain the official list of all property owners within 500 feet of the subject property and mail them written notification of the request and the meeting details no later than 10 days before the Board meeting.

Huntsville's zoning regulations are contained in the Zoning Ordinance, which is codified as Appendix A of the City of Huntsville Code of Ordinances (available through the Municode Library). The ordinance regulates matters such as the height, number of stories, and size of buildings, the percentage of a lot that may be occupied, the size of yards and open spaces, population density, and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land within each zoning district. The official zoning maps are on file in the planning office, and the official ordinances defining district boundaries are on file with the city clerk-treasurer.

The Residence 1 District permits single-family dwellings, along with uses such as agricultural uses (with no on-premises sales), publicly owned or operated schools, libraries, museums, and art galleries, churches and similar places of worship, and accessory structures and uses. Under the district's density controls, the minimum required lot area is 15,000 square feet, the minimum required lot width is 100 feet, and the minimum required lot frontage is 20 feet. The minimum front yard depth is 40 feet from most streets (50 feet from major arterials), and the minimum rear yard depth is 45 feet.

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