Overview
Code type
euclidean
Naming convention
—
Classic Euclidean Zoning Ordinance with supplemental special districts and overlays.
Districts
res_sf 8ind 3com 2spec 2mu 2res_mf 1res_th 1ag 1off 1cbd 1
| Code | Name | Category | Min lot | Height | Coverage | FAR | Du/ac | Parking | Setbacks F/S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | E-1 Single family Residential Estate District | res_sf | 43,560 sf[4] | 35 ft[5] | — | — | — | — | 75[1] / 25[2] / 75[3] |
| R-1 | R-1 Single family Residential District | res_sf | 20,000 sf[9] | 35 ft[10] | — | — | — | — | 50[6] / 15[7] / 50[8] |
| R-2 | R-2 Single family Residential District | res_sf | 15,000 sf[14] | 35 ft[15] | — | — | — | — | 35[11] / 10[12] / 40[13] |
| R-2-A | R-2-A Single family Residential District | res_sf | 10,000 sf[19] | 35 ft[20] | — | — | — | — | 35[16] / 10[17] / 30[18] |
| R-3 | R-3 Single family (Affordable Housing) Residential District | res_sf | 10,000 sf[24] | 35 ft[25] | — | — | — | — | 30[21] / 10[22] / 30[23] |
| R-3A | R-3A Manufactured Home Subdivision District | res_sf | 7,500 sf[29] | 35 ft[30] | — | — | — | — | 35[26] / 10[27] / 35[28] |
| R-3-B | R-3-B Manufactured Home Park District | res_sf | 7,500 sf[34] | 35 ft[35] | — | — | — | — | 35[31] / 10[32] / 10[33] |
| R-4 | R-4 Multi-family Residential District | res_mf | 20,000 sf[39] | 35 ft[40] | — | — | 10[41] | — | 15[36] / 0[37] / 3[38] |
| RG | RG Residential Garden Home District | res_sf | 7,000 sf[45] | 35 ft[46] | — | — | — | — | 25[42] / 10[43] / 25[44] |
| RT | RT Residential Townhouse District | res_th | 2,400 sf[50] | 35 ft[51] | — | — | 8[52] | — | 10[47] / 0[48] / 25[49] |
| A-1 | A-1 Agricultural District | ag | 130,680 sf[56] | 35 ft[57] | — | — | — | — | 50[53] / 15[54] / 50[55] |
| O&I | O&I Office and Institutional District | off | 10,000 sf[61] | 45 ft[62] | — | — | — | — | 10[58] / 0[59] / 15[60] |
| B-1 | B-1 Neighborhood Commercial District | com | 10,000 sf[66] | 35 ft[67] | — | — | — | — | 10[63] / 0[64] / 15[65] |
| B-2 | B-2 General Business District | com | 15,000 sf[71] | 65 ft[72] | — | — | — | — | 35[68] / 0[69] / 15[70] |
| B-3 | B-3 Downtown District | cbd | 0 sf[76] | 65 ft[77] | — | — | — | — | 0[73] / 0[74] / 5[75] |
| M-1 | M-1 Light Industrial District | ind | 20,000 sf[81] | 45 ft[82] | — | — | — | — | 75[78] / 0[79] / 15[80] |
| M-2 | M-2 Heavy Industrial District | ind | 43,560 sf[86] | 75 ft[87] | — | — | — | — | —[83] / —[84] / —[85] |
| M-3 | M-3 Heavy Industrial District | ind | 87,120 sf[91] | 75 ft[92] | — | — | — | — | —[88] / —[89] / —[90] |
| MR | MR Municipal Reserve District | spec | —[96] | —[97] | — | — | — | — | —[93] / —[94] / —[95] |
| PUD | PUD Planned Unit Development District | spec | 2,178,000 sf[101] | —[102] | — | — | — | — | —[98] / —[99] / —[100] |
| TND | TND Traditional Neighborhood Development District | mu | —[106] | 45 ft[107] | — | — | 8[108] | — | 8[103] / 10[104] / 30[105] |
| MXD | MXD Mixed-Use District | mu | —[112] | 45 ft[113] | — | — | — | — | 0[109] / 0[110] / 3[111] |
Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found
State preemptions
Ala. Code §11-52-75.1applies
Qualifying condition
Evaluating city multi-family capacity as of 2026: Calera contains the R-4 Multi-family Residential District permitting multi-family complexes, meeting the threshold criteria of having active multi-family zoning districts. Under Ala. Code §11-52-75.1, the city is preempted from excluding group homes of 10 or fewer unrelated residents from multi-family zones, subject to a 1,000-ft spacing threshold (measured lot line to lot line).
Source
City of Calera Zoning Ordinance residential structure.
Ala. Code Act 2025-331applies
Qualifying condition
Evaluating municipal appeal procedures as of 2026: Calera operates a Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) under zoning powers enabled by Ala. Code §11-52-80. Under Act 2025-331 (amending §11-52-81), a strict 30-day filing window applies to all final BZA decisions appealed to Shelby County Circuit Court, preempting any longer local appeal timelines.
Source
Alabama Act 2025-331 (HB 281).
Non-applicable laws (1)
Alabama Coastal Area Management Program (ACAMP)does_not_apply
Qualifying condition
Evaluating geographical jurisdiction: Calera is located in Shelby and Chilton Counties. ACAMP rules apply strictly to Mobile and Baldwin Counties and coastal boundary waters (defined by continuous 10-ft contour seaward to the 3-mile limit), so the geographical threshold check fails.
Source
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)
Adopted building codes
Statewide
Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.
Massing explorer
Interactive 3D comparison across every district. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, use the slider to walk districts, and toggle applicable overlays in the right-side panel.
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Max height
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Setbacks (F / S / R)
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Parking
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Max density
— du/ac
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Min lot size
— sf
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| District | Category | Height | FAR | Coverage | Setbacks | Parking | Density | Min lot | Overlays |
|---|
Sources & references
Citations
- [1] §5.1.4(3)
- [2] §5.1.4(3)
- [3] §5.1.4(3)
- [4] §5.1.4(1)
- [5] §5.1.4(4)
- [6] §5.2.4(3)
- [7] §5.2.4(3)
- [8] §5.2.4(3)
- [9] §5.2.4(1)
- [10] §5.2.4(4)
- [11] §5.3.4(3)
- [12] §5.3.4(3)
- [13] §5.3.4(3)
- [14] §5.3.4(1)
- [15] §5.3.4(4)
- [16] §5.4.4(3)
- [17] §5.4.4(3)
- [18] §5.4.4(3)
- [19] §5.4.4(1)
- [20] §5.4.4(4)
- [21] §5.5.4(3)
- [22] §5.5.4(3)
- [23] §5.5.4(3)
- [24] §5.5.4(1)
- [25] §5.5.4(4)
- [26] §5.6.4(3)
- [27] §5.6.4(3)
- [28] §5.6.4(3)
- [29] §5.6.4(1)
- [30] §5.6.4
- [31] §5.7.4(3)
- [32] §5.7.4(3)
- [33] §5.7.4(3)
- [34] §5.7.4(1)
- [35] §5.7
- [36] §5.8.4(3)(a)
- [37] §5.8.4(3)(a)
- [38] §5.8.4(3)(a)
- [39] §5.8.4
- [40] §5.8.4(4)
- [41] §5.8.4(1)
- [42] §5.9.4(3)
- [43] §5.9.4(3)
- [44] §5.9.4(3)
- [45] §5.9.4(1)
- [46] §5.9.4(4)
- [47] §5.10.4(3)
- [48] §5.10.4(3)
- [49] §5.10.4(3)
- [50] §5.10.4
- [51] §5.10.4(4)
- [52] §5.10.4(1)
- [53] §5.11.4(3)
- [54] §5.11.4(3)
- [55] §5.11.4(3)
- [56] §5.11.4(1)
- [57] §5.11.4(4)
- [58] §5.12.4(2)
- [59] §5.12.4(2)
- [60] §5.12.4(2)
- [61] §5.12.4
- [62] §5.12.4
- [63] §5.13.4(1)
- [64] §5.13.4(1)
- [65] §5.13.4(1)
- [66] §5.13.4
- [67] §5.13.4(2)
- [68] §5.14.4(1)
- [69] §5.14.4(1)
- [70] §5.14.4(1)
- [71] §5.14.4
- [72] §5.14.4(2)
- [73] §5.15.5(1)
- [74] §5.15.5(1)
- [75] §5.15.5(1)
- [76] §5.15.4
- [77] §5.15.5(2)
- [78] §5.16.4(1)
- [79] §5.16.4(1)
- [80] §5.16.4(1)
- [81] §5.16.4
- [82] §5.16.4(2)
- [83] §5.17.4
- [84] §5.17.4
- [85] §5.17.4
- [86] §5.17
- [87] §5.17
- [88] §5.18.4
- [89] §5.18.4
- [90] §5.18.4
- [91] §5.18
- [92] §5.18
- [93] §5.19
- [94] §5.19
- [95] §5.19
- [96] §5.19
- [97] §5.19
- [98] §5.20
- [99] §5.20
- [100] §5.20
- [101] §5.20.1(2)
- [102] §5.20
- [103] §5.21.8(2)(b)
- [104] §5.21.8(4)(a)
- [105] §5.21.8(3)(a)
- [106] §5.21
- [107] §5.21.11(2)(a)
- [108] §5.21.7(2)(a)
- [109] §5.22.3(3)
- [110] §5.22.3(3)
- [111] §5.22.3(3)
- [112] §5.22
- [113] §5.22.3(3)
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