Department of Development Services
Director: Joshua Johnson
Deputy Director: Dayla Baugh, PE
Consideration of the Adoption of the Jefferson County, Alabama Residential Sustainability Policy
Background: Jefferson County has historically developed concentrically. Higher density residential, and commercial development expanded from the city center, transitioning to rural areas. Lot sizes in the unincorporated areas are predominantly larger. Residential land uses in the county are largely consistent with agricultural, estate, or suburban development patterns.
Discussion: Recent development patterns in the county have resulted in higher residential density. Contemporary residential subdivisions lack usable greenspace, housing types, and compatible mix of land uses. The proliferation of higher density residential development is largely out of context with the rural, traditional development patterns within the county. Lack of transition in land use intensity creates disorderly development, incompatible land uses, and gaps in infrastructure. Dense residential development constrains the county’s transportation, sewer, and emergency services infrastructure along with crowding the school system. Developments that are exclusively Garden Home, Townhome, or Apartments are not in accordance with the County’s to-be-adopted Comprehensive Plan.
Goals: Jefferson County endeavors to provide vibrant, character based residential communities that compliments or enhances the architectural form and property values of adjacent developments. Workforce housing is essential to economic development. The County’s goal is to provide a sustainable housing market for new developments while encouraging residential investment in historically underserved, and blighted communities within the unincorporated and incorporated boundaries. The County also aims to increase permanent investment in the community through encouraging home ownership and increase the available existing housing inventory.
Policy: The intent of the Residential Sustainability Policy is to manage residential growth. The following provisions shall be adopted, and binding as of November 7, 2024 and shall be in effect for 90-days within unincorporated Jefferson County:
- Jefferson County shall place an immediate moratorium on rezoning requests associated with the R-6 Single Family, R-2 Single Family, R-T Residential Townhouse, R-G (Garden Home) Single Family, and R-3 Two-Family Rezoning Requests.
- Residential rezoning requests mentioned in Policy 1 will only be considered where they provide a minimum 65’ of road frontage and lot width or comply with the guidelines and intent of the R-7 Planned-Unit Development District, or M-X Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development District. Rezoning requests adhering to the guidelines of the R-7 Planned-Unit Development District, or M-X Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development District that include single-family housing, will have a mix of housing sizes in compliance with the Minimum Floor Area(s) in the E-1 Estate, E-2 Estate, R-1 Single Family, and R-1 (S) Single Family Districts.
- The County will place an immediate moratorium on Rezoning Requests associated with R-4 Multi-Family District, except for age-restricted, independent living, and senior communities.
- Multi-Family uses not associated with Policy 3 will not be supported unless they adhere to the guidelines and intent of the R-7 Planned-Unit Development District, or M-X Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development District and at minimum, 20% of the Gross Floor Area (GFA) within the Common Plan of Development dedicated to compatible commercial use.
- Rezoning requests shall include the following related to wastewater:
- Proximity to available/existing sewer infrastructure.
- If sewer is unavailable, cost feasibility estimates for extension/expansion.
- Environmental considerations related to onsite treatment.
- Where Approved, onsite disposal and treatment shall require:
- PSC Regulated Operator.
- Submittal of a Cost Analysis outlining a sustainable fee structure.
- System must be owned, operated, and controlled by the Home Owners Association; not the developer, before the first Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.
- Requests to rezone property currently zoned for commercial, or industrial uses to a zoning district permitting residential uses, will not be recommended for Approval without demonstrable site-specific challenges that would otherwise prohibit commercial or industrial development. Policy 6 shall not apply to requests for rezoning to MX-PUD Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development District.
- Where the County has not adopted a policy permitting short-term rentals, henceforth residential properties used for short-term rentals will be considered in violation of the County’s Zoning Ordinance.
- In accordance with Appendix D of the 2024 International Fire Code, One or Two-Family residential developments where the number of lots or dwelling units exceeds 30 will not be permitted without two or more Fire Apparatus Access Roads as Approved by the County Engineer, Traffic Engineer, or Fire Code Official.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION 
- Online Permitting
Effective March 2, 2021, Development Services is entirely digital. All permits and applications are available electronically and all payments may be made online, thus reducing, if not eliminating your need to visit in person. Permits, zoning amendments, subdivision, beverage cases, site plan and all other applications may be applied for online at our online portal, ePermitJC. Architectural, Trade and Site Plans are requested to be submitted electronically in Adobe PDF format, uploaded during your application process. Plans will be reviewed digitally giving you instant access 24/7 to staff review comments.
Inspection requests for building permits issued after November 1, 2020 may be made by calling our IVR system at 205-918-7762, by texting “Schedule” to 844-752-6068, or through the website at ePermitJC. For older permits, call our staff at 205-325-5321, “Option 1”. IVR, SelecTXT and ePermitJC options are available to you 24/7.
Learn how to create a new account and discover helpful resources for online permitting with Jefferson County on our ePermitJC Info page. If you are actively pulling permits in person and would like to start applying on online, you will need to connect your registered professional license to your ePermitJC account, here's how.
- Consolidated Fees
On November 5, 2020, the Development Services Fees were consolidated into one fee ordinance, Ord 6349, which supersedes any previous fees. You may find this consolidated Fee Schedule document here.
- Amendments to the Building, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, and Electrical Code Ordinances
On July 9, 2020, the Jefferson County Commission adopted amendments to the previously adopted Building, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, and Electrical Code Ordinances. Read more
Mission Statement: Development Services is a customer focused department that facilitates investment in the County and promotes orderly
growth and environmental quality to create a balanced, sustainable community, one that enhances quality of life and protects the health, safety, and welfare of residents, business owners and visitors.
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Except on Holidays)
Address:
Jefferson County Courthouse Suite B200
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N.
Birmingham, AL 35203
General Information: The core functions of the Development Services Department include:
Building
- Residential and Commercial Permitting
- Land Disturbance
Planning
- Subdivisions
- Zoning
- Site Plan Review & Processing
- Comprehensive Planning
- Strategic Planning
- Future Land Use Map
- Beverage Licensing
Site Plan Review
Code Enforcement (zoning and litter)
Stormwater
- Water Quality
- NPDES and MS4 Stormwater Management
- Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Permitting, and Enforcement
- Environmental Education
- FEMA Flood Zone Administration
GIS
- Address Assignment and 911 Database Support
- GIS Mapping and Historical Research (aerial photography)
The Jefferson County Development Services department maintains the official zoning map of Jefferson County. Only this office has the OFFICIAL zoning of unincorporated county
property; zoning information obtained from ANY other source, including other County Departments, should be verified through our office before taking any kind of action.
Regulations and Ordinances
Click here to visit our page of information about and copies of the Jefferson County regulations & ordinances.
Publications
Click here to visit our page with printable brochures, forms and other publications with information about Zoning, Dividing Property,
Enforcement, Floodplain and other functions of Development Services.
Click on the links below to download PDF versions of these documents:
Please contact our office at 205-325-5321 for verbal assistance.
Inspections - Option 1
Permit/Plans Review Questions - Option 2
Engineering - Option 3
Planning/Zoning/Public Hearings - Option 4
Subdivisions - Option 5
Code Enforcement - Option 6
Additional Assistance - Option 9
Reach staff by name - Option 0
Stormwater Hotline - 205-325-5792
Zoning/Litter Violations - 205-582-6555
Fax - 205-325-5516
