- How do I renew my Contractor’s Business License with the City of Vestavia Hills? Be sure to have any State Cards and your driver license on hand prior to beginning the renewal process, as they will be required to renew your City of Vestavia Hills Business License.
Step 1: Visit the Online Services portal at https://vestaviahillsal.portal.opengov.com.
Step 2: Click the Building Safety tab to see a list of available permits and license applications.
Step 3: Click the “Select” button next to the permit or license you wish to submit. Applications are listed in alphabetical order – the Contractor’s Business License application is the 3rd from the top. Each application opens to a Welcome page containing a brief explanation of the form and its requirements. You may view this page prior to beginning your application.
Step 4: On the Welcome page of the selected license or permit, click “Apply Online.”
Step 5: If you are a returning user and have already created an account, enter your log in credentials (email address and password) and click “Log In.” If this is your first time using the online portal, click “Sign Up” below “Welcome to City of Vestavia Hills, AL” then enter your email address and a password. Be sure to retain your password, as you will need it to check the status of an existing application or to utilize the online system in the future. After entering your email address and creating a password, click “Sign Up” in the blue box.
- How do I pay for my Contractor’s Business License? Upon submission of an online application, the Building Safety department is notified. Once approved by Building Safety department staff, an email will be sent to the applicant with a link to submit payment via the OpenGov online portal. You may pay online with a credit card or you may pay via cash or check in-person at the Building Safety department. Building Safety is open Monday through Friday from 7am to 4pm.
- What type of work requires a permit? Note that 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/business-licenses-sales-tax.
- Do I need a permit for garage sales and yard sales? Yes. You may apply for a permit online at https://vestaviahillsal.portal.opengov.com/categories/1086/record-types/6499 or in person through the Finance department during normal business hours.
- A garage sale may only be held by the applicant and/or any member of their immediate household once every six months.
- Garage sale permits are $5 per event per location.
- A permit may be used on an alternate date in the event of bad weather.
- Garage sales may not be conducted for more than three (3) consecutive days.
- Only personal property of the applicant and/or members of the immediate household, surplus to their needs are allowed. Items purchased by or consigned to the applicant or members of their immediate household for resale are NOT ALLOWED.
- Advertisements for the sale are not allowed on any public property.
- No yard sign having an area of more than six square feet shall be permitted, nor shall any illuminated or animated sign be displayed. No sign shall be displayed prior to the date of sale and such signs shall be removed no later than the next day following the last day of such sale.
- Section 1-1-6 of the General Code provides that any person who violates any regulation shall upon conviction, therefore, be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment in the City Jail for not exceeding six months or both.
- For more information, contact the Vestavia Hills Finance department during normal business hours at 205.978.0157.
- 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/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.
- Are golf carts street-legal in Vestavia Hills? Unmodified golf carts are not street-legal and cannot be driven on public roadways. To be considered street-legal, a golf cart must be modified to meet safety standards and be registered as a low-speed vehicle (LSV).
What are Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs)? LSVs are a category of vehicles that are designed for slower speeds (typically up to 25 mph) and can be legally driven on public roads, but they must meet specific safety and registration requirements.
Why are unmodified golf carts not street-legal? Standard golf carts lack the necessary safety features, such as headlights, taillights, turn signals, seatbelts, and mirrors, that are required for street use.
What modifications are needed to make a golf cart street-legal? To be considered an LSV, a golf cart needs to be equipped with:
– Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals
– Windshield and wipers
– Seatbelts
– Mirrors
– Horn
– On-road tires
– 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN)
– Manufacturer’s statement of origin certifying that the vehicle complies with state safety regulations
– Current license plate
– Low-speed vehicle (LSV) sign
Where can drive an LSV (street-legal golf cart) be driven? In many areas, LSVs can be driven on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less and are prohibited from highways or roads with higher speed limits.
Who can drive an LSV (street-legal golf cart)? LSV’s must be registered, insured and operated by a licensed driver. The initial inspection and registration of an LSV must be conducted by Jefferson County, AL authorities. Once your LSV has been inspected and issued the initial license plate by Jefferson County, you can renew the license plate at Vestavia Hills City Hall. All qualifying low-speed vehicles (LSVs) may be issued a non-interstate license plate. Click here to view the State of Alabama requirements.
What happens if you drive an unmodified golf cart on the street? Driving an unmodified golf cart on a public roadway in Alabama is illegal and can result in fines. Note that simply modifying a golf cart does not automatically qualify it as an LSV. The vehicle must meet all federal and state standards, and proper documentation must be obtained. Additionally, operating non-compliant vehicles on public roads can result in penalties.