Under City of Cullman Resolution 2021-45, and in accordance with the Code of Alabama 1975 (§11-52-3 and §11-52-16), the Cullman Planning Commission is established as a seven-member body with one non-voting advisory member. As a Class 6 municipality, the City’s Planning Commission operates with the authority granted under Alabama law.

The Planning Commission is responsible for preparing and adopting a master plan for the physical development of the city. This long-range planning effort may include areas outside the municipal limits when those areas directly relate to Cullman’s growth and development. The master plan may incorporate maps, plats, charts, and written descriptions detailing recommendations for the general location, character, and extent of:

• Streets, bridges, viaducts, subways, and other transportation corridors.
• Waterways, waterfronts, and drainage features.
• Boulevards, parkways, parks, playgrounds, squares, and other public open spaces.
• Public buildings and properties.
• Public and private utilities, including water, power, sanitation, communication, and transportation systems.
• Terminals and related infrastructure.
• Changes such as relocation, widening, narrowing, vacating, or repurposing existing public ways or facilities.
• Zoning plans governing the height, area, bulk, location, and use of buildings and land.

As portions of the master plan are completed, the Commission may adopt and publish sections covering specific geographic areas of the city or particular functional elements of planning. The Planning Commission is empowered to exercise all powers granted to it under Code of Alabama 1975, §11-52-1 et seq., as necessary to fulfill its duties.

The Commission also holds authority over the subdivision of unimproved property within three miles of the city limits, ensuring that development in the surrounding area aligns with Cullman’s long-term planning goals and regulatory standards.

The Zoning Board of Adjustments & Appeals is composed of five members and two supernumerary members. The Board is responsible for hearing and deciding appeals when it is alleged that an error has occurred in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the administrative official in the enforcement of the City’s building and zoning regulations. While the Board may interpret and apply these regulations, it does not have the authority to amend or change the intent of the zoning ordinance. The Board is also empowered to hear and decide requests for variances.

In addition, the Board may address situations in which any use—conforming or nonconforming—creates unreasonable noise, smoke, gas, vibration, fumes, dust, fire risk, radio interference, explosive hazard, or other nuisance affecting surrounding properties. In such cases, the Board may issue an abatement order requiring the use to be modified to eliminate the hazard or nuisance. An abatement order may only be issued after a public hearing, with certified-mail notice provided to the affected property owner or operator and public notice published in a newspaper of general circulation. A hearing may be initiated either by petition from an affected party or by the Board itself, and an abatement order may be issued only upon reasonable evidence that a hazard or nuisance exists. The order must specify the date by which the issue must be resolved.

In exercising its authority, the Board may affirm, reverse, or modify any order, requirement, decision, or determination under appeal and may issue the decision that should have been made based on the applicable regulations. To reverse an administrative decision or to rule in favor of an applicant, a concurring vote of at least four Board members is required.

Contact the Building Inspection Office for more information.