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Business & Taxes
Employment
Government
Permits & Licenses
Public Safety
Sanitation
Zoning
Miscellaneous

 

Business & Taxes

• How do I file sales and use taxes? Sales and use taxes are collected through Avenu Insights. Information concerning the filing of Sales and Use taxes can be obtained online at https://revds.com or by contacting Cortez Rice at crice@vhal.org or 205.978.0157.
• When are taxes due? All taxes, such as sales tax, liquor tax and wine tax are due on or before the 20th day of the month following the month in which the tax accrues.
• What are the current sales and use taxes in Vestavia Hills? Effective June 1, 2018, the current sales tax in the City of Vestavia Hills is 10%.
• When and how do I obtain a City of Vestavia Hills business license? The Business License Application, and Fee Schedule, are available at https://vhal.org/departments/finance/business-licenses-sales-tax. If additional assistance is needed, contact Cortez Rice at crice@vhal.org or 205.978.0157. PLEASE NOTE: Contractors, subcontractors, commercial landscapers, etc., should obtain license applications from the Building Safety department or via the Online Services portal at https://vestaviahillsal.portal.opengov.com.
• How often do I need to renew my Vestavia Hills business license? Business licenses shall be renewed annually on or before the 31st day of January each year. For further information, please refer to the current Vestavia Hills Business License Ordinance available at https://vhal.org/departments/finance/business-licenses-sales-tax.
•  I want to open a restaurant in the City of Vestavia Hills. How to I submit application for an alcohol license? Alcohol license application must first be made to the State of Alabama ABC Enforcement Division located at 211 Summit Parkway, Homewood, AL 35209; 205.942.7955. All alcohol license within Vestavia Hills must also be presented to the Vestavia Hills City Council for final determination to grant or deny an alcohol license. Contact the City Clerk at rleavings@vhal.org to determine next steps, including the completion of background forms to be presented and investigated by the City’s Police Department. Please note that approvals for alcohol licenses generally require a minimum of 6-8 weeks for approval.
• What is the ad valorem millage rate for real property located within the City of Vestavia Hills and how can the property tax be computed? Jefferson County is responsible for assessing and collecting ad valorem taxes for real and personal property in the City of Vestavia Hills. You may pay your ad valorem taxes online. To learn more about Jefferson County services or to pay your property taxes, visit the JeffCo website. Questions regarding tax assessment should be directed to:
  Tax Assessor: Courthouse Suite 170, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203; 205.325.5505
  Tax Collector: Room 160 Courthouse, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203; 205.325.5500Ad valorem taxes are calculated based on the current millage rate. Following is an example of the computation of annual tax on an owner-occupied home, located within the corporate limits of Vestavia Hills. This example assumes:
  – Example using a millage rate of 0.0926 ($92.60 for each $1,000 of the assessed property value).
  – Fair Market Value of the home is $100,000
  – Current “Assessed Value” equals 10% of Fair Market ValueThe Assessed Value: $100,000 × 0.1 = $10,000; therefore, Total Tax Due: ($10,000/1000) x 92.6 = $926*
  *To this amount a Storm Water Fee is added. From this amount, the Homestead Exemption will be deducted, if the homeowner is eligible and has applied for the exemption.

Employment

• What are the Council Places? There are four Places on the Vestavia Hills City Council in addition to the Mayor. These “places” designate seats only; they are not tied to any geographic area, as the Mayor and City Council are elected at large.
• When are Council members elected? Members of the Vestavia Hills City Council are elected for four-year terms on the fourth Tuesday of August for terms beginning November 1 of that year.
• How can I view minutes of a Council meeting? The minutes of the previous meeting are included with the agenda for the upcoming meeting. Agendas are available online at https://vhal.org/government/agendas.

Permits & Licenses

• What type of work requires a permit?
  The penalty for doing work without a permit is a doubling of the permit fee plus a $100 penalty.
  – Demolition of any structure
  – All new construction, including remodeling, additions, alterations, deck construction, re-roofing, irrigation systems, plumbing, gas, heating and cooling and electrical work
  – All commercial projects
• What is required to apply for a permit? Construction permit applications may be submitted and paid online via the Vestavia Hills Online Services portal at https://vestaviahillsal.portal.opengov.com.

New residential construction: 
– Two sets of plans with detail sheets included (hard copy)
– CD with digital copy of the plans with detail sheets
– Approval from the Jefferson County Health Department (for septic system) or the Sewer Impact Fee Receipt (for sewer system; pink copy)
– Plot plan (to verify setbacks)
– Plot plan showing erosion control
– Payment of $100 Land Disturbing Application fee at time of submittal

Room additions:
– Two sets of plans with detail sheets included (hard copy)
– If adding plumbing fixtures and on sewer system, Sewer Impact Fee Receipt (pink copy)
– If on septic and adding bedrooms, approval from the Jefferson County Health Department
– Plot plan (to verify setbacks)

Deck:
– Two sets of plans with detail sheets included (hard copy)

Fence:
– Plot plan with exact fence location shown

Commercial renovations:
– Two sets of plans with detail sheets included (hard copy)
– If adding plumbing fixtures and on sewer system, Sewer Impact Fee Receipt (pink copy)

 New commercial construction:
– Two sets of plans with detail sheets included (hard copy)
– CD with digital copy of the plans with detail sheets
– Sewer Impact Fee Receipt (pink copy)
– Landscape plans
– Site plan showing erosion control
– Payment of $400 application fee for erosion control permit at time of submittal
– Payment of plan review fee. Cost varies depending on project – call 205.978.0147.

• Do I need a permit for a fireworks display? Yes. Per Vestavia Hills Ordinance Number 56, “No person shall have, keep, store, use, manufacture, sell or handle any consumer fireworks within the city … The police chief may, upon due application, issue a permit to a properly qualified person for giving a pyrotechnic display of fireworks in the public parks or other open places within the city or the police jurisdiction thereof.”

Use of fireworks within the City limits requires:
(1) Approval from the Chief of the Vestavia Hills Police Department: Prior to applying for a business license or permit, contact VHPD at 205.978.0140 to request approval.
(2) Fireworks Permit from the Alabama State Fire Marshal: Following VHPD approval, apply for a permit from the Alabama Fire Marshal. The permit application is available online at https://www.firemarshal.alabama.gov/OnlineServices.aspx. Note: This permit requires submission of a site plan, as well as proof of individual licensure and insurance.
(3) City of Vestavia Hills Business License: If approved and the date of the fireworks show is within 30 calendar days, the purchase of both a temporary City of Vestavia Hills license, as well as an annual license, is required. The Business License Application, and Fee Schedule, are available at https://vhal.org/departments/finance/business-licenses-sales-tax.

• Do I need a permit for garage sales and yard sales? Yes. You may also obtain a permit in person through the Vestavia Hills Finance Department, Monday through Friday during normal business hours or submit an application online at https://vhal.org/departments/finance/garage-sale-yard-sale-permit. The cost is $5 and must be obtained prior to the sale. The permit may be used on an alternate date in the event of bad weather. For more information, call 205.978.0188.
• Can I obtain car tags, automobile titles and driver’s licenses at City Hall? Vestavia Hills residents may renew their car tags and purchase new or transfer tags for cars and boats purchased from a dealer. For more information, visit https://vhal.org/departments/finance/vehicle-tags. Driver’s licenses may NOT be obtained at City Hall. A Jefferson County satellite revenue office is conveniently located on U.S. 31 in Hoover. That office may be reached at 205.497.8976.

Public Safety

• How do I obtain a copy of a fire report or a medical transport report? Call Fire Administration at 205.978.0225
•  My carbon monoxide detector/smoke detector is going off. What should I do? If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, the level of carbon monoxide has reached danger levels. This is a DEADLY gas that is odorless and colorless — it cannot be detected by human senses. Activate your emergency escape plan, then call 911. If your smoke detector goes off, activate your emergency escape plan, then call 911.
• How can I arrange a tour of a fire station? Contact Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Ryan Farrell at 205.978.0218 or rfarrell@vhal.org.
• Where can I take CPR classes? Contact Battalion Chief Scott Ferrell at 205.978.0212 or sferrell@vhal.org.
• How do I make an Escape Plan for my home or business? Make sure everyone knows at least two unobstructed ways out – doors and windows – of every room in your home. Decide on a meeting place outside where everyone will meet. For more information, visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Preparedness/Escape-planning.
• How should I treat a burn? Cool a burn with water. Do not use ointments, butter or other substances. For serious burns, dial 911 immediately. For minor burns contact a physician.
• How many smoke detectors do I need? Is it necessary to install one in every room? Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement) and outside each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, install smoke alarms inside the room. In new homes, smoke alarms are required in all sleeping rooms, according to the National Fire Alarm Code. For more information, visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Safety-equipment/Smoke-alarms/Installing-and-maintaining-smoke-alarms.
• Should homeowners sleep with their doors closed to protect themselves in the event of a home fire? A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. For the best protection, make sure all smoke alarms are interconnected. Due to the changes in construction and materials, you could have as little as 2 minutes to escape a home fire, compared to 7-8 minutes years ago. Smoke alarms can provide the crucial early warning that often has a significant impact on the outcome of home fires.
• Why do I have to dial 911? Can’t I call the fire or police station directly to save time? The 911 emergency system is designed to save valuable time. When you dial 911, the system routes the police or fire unit that is closest to your home. Fire and police stations are not properly equipped to initiate a response for emergency calls. Therefore, calling a station directly actually wastes valuable response time.
• What do firefighters do when they are not on calls? In addition to fighting fires, firefighters treat sick or injured people, report to car accidents, extricate people from damaged motor vehicles, technical rescue and assist at hazardous materials spills. When they are not on an active call, firefighters prepare written reports on emergency incidents, clean and maintain their equipment, participate in training exercises and do fitness training.

Sanitation

 

Zoning

• When and where does the Planning and Zoning Commission meet, and what is the deadline for submitting a case to be heard by the Commission? Meetings of the Planning and Zoning Commission are open to the public and typically held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6pm in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Applications and supporting documents may be submitted online via the Vestavia Hills Online Services portal at https://vestaviahillsal.portal.opengov.com. Deadline for applications for zoning/rezoning and/or conditional use approvals are 25 working days prior to the meeting of the Commission. Subdivision requests for final plats must be submitted at least 15 calendar days prior to the meeting and subdivision requests for preliminary plats must be submitted at least 20 calendar days prior to the meeting of the Commission. Questions can be directed to the City Clerk, Rebecca Leavings, at rleavings@vhal.org or 205.978.0184.
• When and where does the Board of Zoning Adjustment meet, and what is the deadline for submitting a case to be heard by the Board? The Board of Zoning Adjustment meets the third Thursday of each month at 6pm in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Applications and supporting documents may be submitted online via the Vestavia Hills Online Services portal at https://vestaviahillsal.portal.opengov.com. Deadline for application for a variance is 30 days PRIOR to the meeting. Questions can be directed to the City Planner, Conrad Garrison at cgarrison@vhal.org or 205.978.0179.
• How do I annex my property into the City of Vestavia Hills? Annexation laws require that all properties annexed must be contiguous to the corporate limits and must be located in an unincorporated part of Jefferson or Shelby County. Properties already located within the corporate limits of another municipality are not eligible for annexation into another municipality. Additional information, including annexation guidelines and required fees, is available within Vestavia Hills Resolution 3824. Questions regarding annexation may be directed to the City Clerk, Rebecca Leavings at rleavings@vhal.org or 205.978.0184.
• How do I file an application for presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment? An application for Zoning/Subdivision is available online via the Vestavia Hills Online Services portal at https://vestaviahillsal.portal.opengov.com. Questions can be directed to City Clerk Rebecca Leavings at rleavings@vhal.org or 205.978.0184 or City Planner Conrad Garrison at cgarrison@vhal.org or 205.978.0179.
• How may I obtain a copy of the City Zoning Code, Subdivision Regulations, Sign Code, or Landscape Guidelines? A copy of the City of Vestavia Hills Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Sign Code Ordinance and Landscape Guidelines are available at https://vhal.org/zoning-ordinances-and-staff-review.
• I need a copy of a particular ordinance or I have a question about an ordinance. Who do I contact? Copies of ordinances are stored in the Office of the City Clerk and are available upon request at a cost per page. More recent, unsigned copies of ordinances can be e-mailed upon request. Questions and/or requests may be e-mailed to the City Clerk, Rebecca Leavings at rleavings@vhal.org or 205.978.0184. To view a searchable database containing the City of Vestavia Hills’ codified ordinances visit https://library.municode.com/al/vestavia_hills/codes/code_of_ordinances.
• My neighbor claims his property was rezoned several years ago for a commercial business. Where do I obtain records of that zoning? All permanent records for the City of Vestavia Hills are located in the Office of the City Clerk. Researching older records sometimes takes time and requires adequate information about the case in question. An email containing all pertinent information regarding your request may serve to expedite your request. Questions and/or requests may be submitted to City Clerk Rebecca Leavings at rleavings@vhal.org or 205.978.0131.
• I need a copy of my survey. Where do I obtain this map? The Office of the City Clerk maintains copies of survey maps, but is limited in the maps that are on file. Copies of “as built” surveys are not available in this office. Some subdivision maps are maintained in the archives of this department. If the information is not available, City staff will provide instruction on how to access maps at the Jefferson County Courthouse. An email containing all pertinent information regarding your request may serve to expedite your request. Questions and/or requests may be submitted to City Clerk Rebecca Leavings at rleavings@vhal.org or 205.978.0131.
• Miscellaneous
• How do I contact a specific City department or City staff? Contact information for all City departments, including the Library and Parks and Recreation, is available at https://vhal.org/contact.
• A solicitor just knocked on my door. What do I do? The Supreme Court of the United States struck down and ruled solicitation ordinances such as the City’s is unconstitutional. The Court opined that an individual has the right not to answer the door if a solicitor were to call at your residence and the City cannot prohibit them from approaching you. The City recently enacted an Ordinance to regulate solicitors within the terms of the US Supreme Court. This requires all solicitors who are peddling a product to register with the City and obtain a placard to wear while soliciting. For more information and a listing of current solicitors, visit https://vhal.org/departments/city-clerk/solicitation.
• Where can I obtain a copy of the City budget? The approved budget for recent fiscal years may be accessed at https://vhal.org/departments/finance/financial-statements. If you have any questions regarding the budget, contact Zachary Clifton at zclifton@vhal.org.
• How do I get paid for the sale of merchandise or services to the City of Vestavia Hills? Submit your invoice or bill (complete with purchase order number) to: City of Vestavia Hills, Attn: Accounts Payable, 1032 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Every effort is taken to process payables in an efficient and timely manner. For information regarding an outstanding invoice, contact Rita Hosmer at rhosmer@vhal.org or 205.978.0126. Be sure to provide the invoice number, purchase order number and any other available identifying information.