Mobile's Maintenance Ordinance

Apr 18th, 2003

The City of Mobile is ready to enforce a December 2001 minimum maintenance ordinance for the city's historic districts. Staff from the Mobile Fire Department, Urban Development Department and the Mobile Historic Development Commission surveyed the Lower Dauphin Street Commercial District. During the survey, problems and violations of the ordinance were noted on 16 buildings.

The city has mailed letters to the owners of these buildings advising them to begin repairs immediately. Enclosed with the letter is an application to appear before the Architectural Review Board. For simple repairs, an expedited review may be possible. For vacant buildings, the ARB is developing a mothballing plan that would allow buildings to be closed in a manner that would insure their stability and safety as an alternative to the minimum building code.

Plans should be submitted to the staff of the Mobile Historic Development Commission (MHDC) as quickly as possible. If a plan is not provided within thirty days, further action will be taken.