Zoning › Alabama › Mobile County › Semmes

Semmes, AL Zoning

Euclidean-zoning. 8 districts · 0 overlays · 2 applicable state preemptions.

Overview

Code type
euclidean
Naming convention
letter-code

Classic Euclidean zoning ordinance as enacted by Ordinance 2022-12 on April 21, 2022.

Districts

res_sf 3com 2ag 1res_mf 1ind 1
CodeNameCategory Min lotHeight CoverageFAR Du/acParking Setbacks F/S/R
R-AResidential - Agricultural Districtag43,560 sf[4]100 ft[5]30[6]———35[1] / 15[2] / 30[3]
R-1Low Density Single Family Residential Districtres_sf12,000 sf[10]35 ft[11]30[12]—3[13]—35[7] / 10[8] / 30[9]
R-2Medium Density Single Family Residential Districtres_sf10,000 sf[17]35 ft[18]30[19]—4[20]—35[14] / 10[15] / 30[16]
R-3High Density Single Family and Multi-Family Residential Districtres_mf[{'variant': 'single_family', 'value': 7500, 'citation': '§4.5'}, {'variant': 'two_family', 'value': 10500, 'citation': '§4.5'}, {'variant': 'multi_family_base', 'value': 7500, 'citation': '§4.5', 'note': 'plus 3,000 sf for each additional unit'}] sf[24]100 ft[25][{'variant': 'single_family', 'value': 30, 'citation': '§4.5'}, {'variant': 'two_family', 'value': 35, 'citation': '§4.5'}, {'variant': 'multi_family', 'value': 35, 'citation': '§4.5'}][26]—[{'variant': 'single_family', 'value': 5, 'citation': '§4.5'}, {'variant': 'two_family', 'value': 7, 'citation': '§4.5'}, {'variant': 'multi_family', 'value': 14, 'citation': '§4.5'}][27]—30[21] / 10[22] / 25[23]
R-4Manufactured Home Districtres_sf10,000 sf[31]35 ft[32]35[33]—4[34]—30[28] / 10[29] / 25[30]
B-1Local Business Districtcom10,000 sf[38]100 ft[39]————10[35] / 0[36] / 0[37]
B-2General Business Districtcom10,000 sf[43]100 ft[44]————10[40] / 0[41] / 0[42]
IMIndustrial/Manufacturing Districtind—[48]100 ft[49]————10[45] / 20[46] / 30[47]

Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found

State preemptions

Ala. Code §11-52-75.1 (Group Homes)applies
Qualifying condition
Evaluating city multi-family capacity as of 2026: Semmes contains the R-3 High Density Single Family and 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).
Ala. Code §11-52-81 (Act 2025-331)applies
Qualifying condition
Evaluating municipal appeal procedures as of 2026: Semmes 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 Mobile County Circuit Court, preempting any longer local appeal timelines.
Non-applicable laws (1)
al-acamp-coastal-permittingdoes not apply
Qualifying condition
Evaluating geographical jurisdiction: Semmes is located in Mobile County but sits at ~200+ feet elevation, entirely landlocked. Under ACAMP rules, the coastal area permitting boundary is strictly limited to the continuous 10-foot contour line, meaning Semmes lies ~190+ feet above the applicability threshold.

Adopted building codes

Statewide

IBC
2021
IRC
2021
NEC
2020
IFC
2021
IECC (Residential)
2015
IECC (Commercial)
2015

Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.

Massing explorer

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District Category Height FAR Coverage Setbacks Parking Density Min lot Overlays

Sources & references

Primary source
https://cityofsemmesal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ZONING-ORDINANCE-2022-12-Adopted-4-12-22-2-.asd-.pdf
retrieved 2026-05-31
Citations
  1. [1] §4.6
  2. [2] §4.6
  3. [3] §4.6
  4. [4] §4.5
  5. [5] §4.7
  6. [6] §4.5
  7. [7] §4.6
  8. [8] §4.6
  9. [9] §4.6
  10. [10] §4.5
  11. [11] §4.7
  12. [12] §4.5
  13. [13] §4.5
  14. [14] §4.6
  15. [15] §4.6
  16. [16] §4.6
  17. [17] §4.5
  18. [18] §4.7
  19. [19] §4.5
  20. [20] §4.5
  21. [21] §4.6
  22. [22] §4.6
  23. [23] §4.6
  24. [24] §4.5
  25. [25] §4.7
  26. [26] §4.5
  27. [27] §4.5
  28. [28] §4.6
  29. [29] §4.6
  30. [30] §4.6
  31. [31] §4.5
  32. [32] §4.7
  33. [33] §4.5
  34. [34] §4.5
  35. [35] §4.6
  36. [36] §4.6
  37. [37] §4.6
  38. [38] §4.5
  39. [39] §4.7
  40. [40] §4.6
  41. [41] §4.6
  42. [42] §4.6
  43. [43] §4.5
  44. [44] §4.7
  45. [45] §4.6
  46. [46] §4.6
  47. [47] §4.6
  48. [48] §4.5
  49. [49] §4.7

Research status

Publication gates

primary url presentpassedDirect PDF link to the adopted Semmes Zoning Ordinance.
no aggregator citedpassedOnly municipal-hosted primary sources are referenced.
confidence tags full formpassedAll 8 active Euclidean districts carry verified field status annotations and section citations.
overlays have parameters trigger confidencepassedNo overlays exist in Semmes.
preempt section city specificpassedAlabama preemptions evaluated against city attributes with detailed checked notes.

Other cities in this state

Nearest-alphabetical profiles. Click through to compare zoning patterns side-by-side.

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