Birmingham Department of Planning, Engineering & Permits

03/04/2025

🚨 Severe Weather Alert for Birmingham: 🚨

A Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe storms is in effect this evening into early Wednesday morning. Stay weather-aware as a line of storms moves across the state.

🌪 Severe Threat:
📍 Where: All of Central Alabama
⏰ When: 5 PM Today – 3 AM Wednesday
⚠️ Threats:
➡️ Damaging winds up to 60 mph
➡️ A few brief tornadoes possible

💨 Wind Advisory:
📍 Where: All of Central Alabama
⏰ When: Noon Today – 3 PM Wednesday
⚠️ Threats:
➡️ Sustained winds 15-30 mph
➡️ Gusts up to 45 mph

🔹 Stay prepared: Secure outdoor items, charge devices, and have a way to receive weather alerts. !

02/28/2025

See you all Saturday!!! Kickoff to the Valley Creek cleanup starts This WEEKEND!!!

02/15/2025

⚠️ Updated Severe Weather Alert for Central Alabama Tonight! ⚠️

A line of storms is still expected to move through the state this evening, with a low to medium chance of severe weather. Here’s the latest:

🌪️ Threats:
* Tornadoes 🌪️
Damaging straight-line winds up to 60 mph 💨
* Low chance of brief, localized flooding 💧
* Wind gusts up to 35 mph outside of thunderstorms 🌬️

⏰ Timing:
10:00 PM tonight - 5:00 AM Sunday

📍 Where:
All of Central Alabama

02/15/2025

⚠️ Severe Weather Alert for Central Alabama Tonight! ⚠️

A line of storms will quickly move across the state this evening, bringing the potential for severe weather. Here's what you need to know:

🌪️ Threats:

* Tornadoes 🌪️
* Damaging straight-line winds up to 60 mph 💨
* Low chance of brief, localized flooding 💧

⏰ Timing:
9:00 PM Saturday - 4:00 AM Sunday
📍 Where:
All of Central Alabama

02/11/2025

🚨 Weather Alert for Birmingham: 🚨

⛈️ Heavy Rain & Severe Storms Expected ⛈️

A system bringing moderate to heavy rainfall will move into our area this afternoon and continue through Thursday morning. Here’s what you need to know:

📍 Areas Affected:
🔹 Flooding Risk: Mainly near and north of Interstate 20
🔹 Severe Storm Risk: All of Central Alabama

🕒 Timing:
🌧️ Flooding: Late today through Wednesday
⛈️ Severe Weather: 6 PM Wednesday – 6 AM Thursday

⚠️ Potential Threats:
💨 Damaging winds up to 60 mph
🌪️ A couple of tornadoes possible
🌊 Isolated flash flooding & minor flooding in low-lying areas

📢 Looking Ahead: Another Saturday system could bring severe weather and a renewed flooding threat.

✅ Stay Prepared:
✔️ Secure outdoor items
✔️ Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts
✔️ Avoid flooded roadways –
✔️ Check in with neighbors & loved ones

Stay safe, !

02/06/2025

01/31/2025

🚨 Exciting News! Our New Website is LIVE! 🚨

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the new City of Birmingham Department of Planning, Engineering, and Permits website! 🌆✨ Whether you’re looking for info on Long Range Planning, Zoning, Historic Preservation, Stormwater, Floodplain, or GIS, we’ve made it easier than ever to access all the resources you need to stay informed and engaged with our city’s development.

🔍 Explore the new features, find detailed guides, and stay up-to-date with the latest projects.

But we want to hear from YOU! 💬 What would you like to see on our site? Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve and serve you better.

📲 Check it out now: https://www.birminghamal.gov/government/city-departments/pep

🗣️ Drop your thoughts and suggestions in the comments or send us a message.

Let’s build a better Birmingham—together! 🌟

01/12/2025

🌅 Building a Sustainable Birmingham! 🌱

Our Director, Katrina Thomas, AICP, had an inspiring time speaking to the Sunrise Rotary Club about the City’s exciting journey toward becoming a more sustainable green city! 🌍

✨ She also shared some of PEP’s recent policy changes that are paving the way for a cleaner, greener future—from dedicated open space to a citywide sustainability plan.

A huge thank you to the Sunrise Rotary Club for their ongoing commitment to positive change and environmental stewardship! 💪🌿

01/09/2025

❄️ Updated Winter Weather Advisory for Birmingham: 🌨️

Overview:

A wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will move in from the west after midnight tonight, creating hazardous travel conditions across Central Alabama. Temperatures near or below freezing will lead to dangerous road conditions for the Friday morning commute, particularly in northern areas.

⚠️ Black Ice Alert: Residual moisture on roads could refreeze Friday night into Saturday morning, posing an additional travel risk.

Key Updates:
• Increased freezing rain accumulations in northeastern areas.
• Winter Weather Advisory expanded to include Autauga, Perry, Greene, Hale, and Sumter Counties.

What to Expect:
• Snow/Sleet Accumulations:
o Winter Storm Warning Areas: 1–3 inches of snow/sleet.
o Winter Weather Advisory Areas: 0.5–2 inches of snow/sleet.
• Ice Accumulations:
o Up to 0.25 inches, with the highest amounts in northeastern counties.
• Black Ice Formation: Residual moisture may refreeze Friday night into Saturday morning.

Where:
• Wintry Precipitation: Areas north of Highway 80/I-85, with heaviest accumulations along/north of the I-20 corridor.
• Black Ice Risk: All of Central Alabama Friday night into Saturday morning.

Timing:
• Begins after midnight tonight, lasting through midday Friday.
• Far northern/northeastern areas may experience wintry precipitation into Friday evening.

Impacts:
🚗 Travel:
o Difficult to dangerous conditions in Winter Storm Warning counties, especially during the Friday morning commute.
o Slick roads possible in Winter Weather Advisory areas, including bridges and overpasses.
🌉 Black Ice:
o Hazardous road conditions may persist into Saturday morning, especially on untreated surfaces.

01/09/2025

❄️ Winter Weather Alert for Birmingham: 🌨️

A wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected to move into Central Alabama after midnight tonight, leading to potential travel hazards Friday morning.

What You Need to Know:

Accumulations:
• Winter Storm Warning Counties: 1–3 inches of snow/sleet, locally higher amounts, and up to 0.1" of freezing rain.
• Winter Weather Advisory Counties: 1–2 inches of snow/sleet, and up to 0.1" of freezing rain.

Primary Areas:
• North of Highway 80 and Interstate 85.
• Heaviest accumulations along/north of the I-20 corridor.

Timing:
• Begins after midnight tonight, lasting through midday Friday.
• Wintry precipitation may linger in far northern/northeastern areas into Friday evening.

Potential Impacts:
🚗 Morning Commute: Difficult to dangerous travel conditions in the Elevated and Significant Impact Areas (Winter Storm Warning).
🌉 Icy Roads: Slick spots possible, particularly on bridges and overpasses north of Highway 80/I-85.

⚠️ Winter Storm Warning issued for the northern third of Central Alabama.
⚠️ Winter Weather Advisory issued farther south.
🌡️ Warmer temperatures by midday Friday will transition most precipitation to rain across much of the area, though cooler spots in the north may continue to see wintry weather.

Stay safe and plan ahead for Friday morning. ❄️

01/08/2025

Don’t forget about your pets in these freezing temperatures! View these safety tips to be prepared.

weather.gov

01/08/2025

🌨️ Winter Storm Watch for Birmingham: ❄️

A Winter Storm is now likely for portions of Central Alabama Thursday night through Friday night, with significant impacts expected, especially across the northern half of the region.

Snow & Ice Accumulations:

❄️ Snow/Sleet: 2–5 inches possible in areas under the Winter Storm Watch.
❄️ Ice: Accumulations possible in mixed precipitation areas.

Primary Areas:

❄️ Significant Impacts: Northern half of Central Alabama, greatest risk along/north of the I-20 corridor.
❄️ Mixed Precipitation: Transition zones around the I-20 corridor.
❄️ Rain: Southern counties, where temperatures will rise above freezing midday Friday.

Timing:

❄️ Begins late Thursday night in western/southwestern areas.
❄️ Peaks Friday morning into the afternoon.
❄️ Ends by Friday evening.

Potential Impacts:

🚗 Travel: Difficult to dangerous conditions possible, especially in northern counties.
🌉 Icy Roads: Bridges and overpasses along and north of the U.S. 80/I-85 corridors could develop slick spots.
❄️ Cold Infrastructure: Already cold ground temperatures may contribute to quicker accumulations and hazards.

⚠️ Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the northern third of the forecast area.

01/08/2025

🥶 Do you know how to dress for cold weather? View these tips on the appropriate clothing to wear to prevent hypothermia.

weather.gov

01/07/2025

📝 Start planning! Be prepared before the storm.

🏡Winterize your homes.
- Inspect your chimney
- Caulk and weather strip doors/windows
- Insulate exposed pipes
- Insulate your attic
- Clean out gutters
- Install and test smoke detectors
- Gather supplies



weather.gov

01/07/2025

🌳✨ We want to hear from YOU! ✨🌳

The City of Birmingham’s Planning Team is hosting two community engagement sessions to discuss the proposed Open Space Ordinance—and we need your input! Join us to learn more, ask questions, and share your thoughts on how we can enhance and preserve public open spaces in Birmingham.

📅 When:
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Session 1: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session 2: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

📍 Where:
Conference Room 215, 2nd Floor, City Hall
(Directions: Take the elevator to the 2nd floor, turn left at the Civil Rights mural, and Conference Room 215 will be at the end of the hall on your right.)

What’s it about?
The proposed Open Space Ordinance will introduce three new zoning districts designed to preserve and create parks, greenways, and natural areas for everyone to enjoy! 🌳🌲 From playgrounds and dog parks to protected natural areas and trails, this ordinance will help shape the future of public spaces across Birmingham. 🌍

The three new districts are:
1️⃣ OS-NG (Neighborhood & Greenway District): Smaller parks, greenspaces, and greenways that connect neighborhoods.
2️⃣ OS-RP (Regional Park District): Larger parks that attract visitors for outdoor recreation.
3️⃣ OS-NA (Natural Areas District): Protected lands for ecological preservation and habitat restoration.
This is YOUR chance to get involved, ask questions, and make your voice heard! 🗣️💬

We can’t wait to see you there and work together to make Birmingham an even better place to live, work, and play! 🌟

01/07/2025

🌨️ Winter Weather Update for Birmingham: ❄️

Confidence is increasing for the chance of wintry precipitation across Central Alabama as a low-pressure system moves along the Gulf Coast Thursday night into Friday.

What You Need to Know:
* Precipitation: Snow (0.5"–2") and ice (up to 0.1") are possible.
* Primary Areas: Northern half of Central Alabama, especially along and north of the I-20 corridor.
* Timing: Early Friday morning through Friday evening.

Potential Impacts:
🚗 Travel: Difficult conditions are possible in the northernmost counties.
🌉 Slick Spots: Watch for icy patches on roads, bridges, and overpasses, especially along and north of the U.S. 80/I-85 corridors.
🌡️ Infrastructure: Cold ground temperatures may increase the likelihood of impacts.

💡 By Friday afternoon: Warmer temperatures are expected in the southern half of Central Alabama, reducing winter weather risks in those areas.

01/02/2025

🌟 Happy New Year from the City of Birmingham! 🌟 As we step into 2025, we’re committed to improving your experience with our permitting services. Have you visited our permitting section recently? We want to hear from YOU! Your feedback helps us serve you better.

Please take a moment to scan the QR code and share your thoughts. Your input is invaluable to us! 😊

12/29/2024