Revenue Department

When And How Do I Obtain A City Of Alabaster Business License?

The City of Alabaster requires that every person, firm, company or corporation engaged in any business, occupation, profession, trade, exhibition or vocation shall apply for and procure a license prior to conducting any business within the corporate limits of the city. Questions can be directed to the Revenue Department at (205) 664-6844.

The Application for a Business License may be obtained by clicking here. 

A copy of the Business License Ordinance may be by clicking on this link.

PLEASE NOTE: Contractors, subcontractors, commercial landscapers, etc., should obtain other applicable permit applications and information from The City of Alabaster Inspection Services Department web page.

Contractors

Commercial – Any commercial contractor who performs a job for over $50,000 must have an Alabama General Contractor’s License: A General Contractor’s License is also required for any swimming pool exceeding $5,000 (including materials and labor.)

 Section 34-8-1

"General contractor" defined; "Subcontractor" defined. 

 (a) For the purpose of this chapter, a "general contractor" is defined to be one who, for a fixed price, commission, fee, or wage undertakes to construct or superintend or engage in the construction, alteration, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, remediation, reclamation, or demolition of any building, highway, sewer, structure, site work, grading, paving or project or any improvement in the State of Alabama where the cost of the undertaking is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or more, shall be deemed and held to have engaged in the business of general contracting in the State of Alabama.

(b) For the purpose of this chapter, a "general contractor" is defined to include one who, for a fixed price, commission, fee, or wage exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), undertakes to construct, superintend the construction of, repair, or renovate, any swimming pool, and anyone who shall engage in the construction, superintending of the construction, repair, or renovation of any swimming pool in the State of Alabama, where the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000), shall be deemed and held to have engaged in the business of general contracting in the State of Alabama and shall be subject to this chapter.

(c) For the purpose of this chapter a "subcontractor" is defined to be one who performs work under contract to a general contractor as defined in subsection (a).

(Acts 1935, No. 297, p. 721, §1; Code 1940, T. 46, §65; Acts 1959, No. 571, p. 1429, §1; Acts 1989, No. 89-648, p. 1278, §1; Acts 1996, No. 96-640, p. 1013, §1; Acts 1997, No. 97-270, §1; Act 2003-142, §3.)

Residential - Any contractor who bids out jobs for more than $10,000.00 must have a Home Builder’s License from the state.  All general contractors below #18908, who are current, are legal homebuilders.  Each year the Home Builders License Board will send out supplements.  These supplements contain:

• Code of Law - § 34-14A, Code of Alabama 1975.
• Rules and Regulations - The current Administrative Code, Chapter 465, which outlines rules and regulations, including due process, license procedures and office policy. Application forms are also included.
• Exemptions - includes a map of the state outlining congressional districts and counties, and a list of county populations which illustrates exempt counties.
• Official License - a copy of an official license for that year, with color codes.
• Roster of Licensees - an alphabetical listing of all licensees.
• Individual Licensees - a roster of individual license holders.
• Corporation and Partnership Licensees - a roster of corporation and partnership license holders and their qualifying representatives.

Other contractors that require a card on file before a license can be issued are listed below.  Each classification has a separate state board that has rules and regulations that correspond to the Code of Alabama.  Most of the Boards have a web site that provides all pertinent information.

• Air conditioning and heating (HVAC)
• Electrical – We accept any of the following: A State of Alabama Master Electrician, Jefferson County Master Electrician, City of Birmingham Master Electrician, or Shelby County Master Electrician
• Plumbing and Gas Fitters – (There may be a single card issued for each classification or there may only be one card issued for Master Plumber and Master Gas Fitter.  The combination card will have two different colors of stripes at the top of the card.

How Often Do I Need To Renew My City of Alabaster Business License?

Due Date and Additional License.

Annual Renewal. Except as provided in subsections (i) or (ii), the business license shall be renewed annually on or before the 31^st day of January each year.  You may obtain an application for a business licensehere.

 (i) If the due date for payment of any business license falls on a weekend or a holiday recognized by the municipality from time to time, the due date shall automatically be extended until the next business day.

(ii) Insurance company annual license renewals shall be renewed in accordance with Section 11-51-122 of the Code of Alabama which states that each year, each insurance company shall furnish the municipality a statement in writing duly certified showing the full and true amount of gross premiums received during the preceding year and shall accompany such statement with the amount of license tax due according to the licensing schedule. Failure to furnish such statement or to pay such sum shall subject the company and its agents to those penalties as prescribed for doing business without a license as provided for in the municipal code.

How Do I File Sales And Use Taxes?

The City of Alabaster is a self collecting entity, therefore sales and use taxes are collected through the City of Alabaster Revenue Department. Information concerning the filing of Sales and Use taxes can be obtained here or by contacting our office the phone number is (205) 664-6844. 

Blank forms Tax Forms may be downloaded here.  Please make sure that your account number, business name, and address is on all correspondence. 

A Tax Application may be obtained by clicking on this link.

When Are Taxes Due?

All taxes, such as sales tax, use tax, rental tax, gas tax and lodging tax are due on or before the 20th day of the month following the month in which the tax accrues.  The City of Alabaster does not allow for a discount on any taxes.

The first (12) twelve months that your company or organization is registered with the City of Alabaster you will be set up on a monthly filing basis.  After completing that (12) twelve month period you may request a  change in filing status.  If you have submitted less than $200 you may qualify for a quarterly filing status.  If you have submitted less than $10 during the last calendar year you may qualify for an annual filing status.  The City of Alabaster does not allow for an occasional filing status.

Do I need a permit for garage sales and yard sales?

Yes. Permits are available through City Hall, Monday through Friday during normal business hours (8:00 am – 4:30 pm). The cost of a permit is $5.00 and must be obtained prior to the sale.  Each residence is limited to two (2) garage sales per year.

Can I obtain car tags, automobile titles and driver’s licenses at City Hall?

No. Shelby County car tags, automobile titles, boat tags/titles and driver’s licenses can be obtained from the Shelby County Special Services Building located at 1018 County Services Drive, Pelham, Alabama, 35124.  Questions can be directed to their general information number: (205) 620-6600.  They also offer many services online at http://www.shelbycountyalabama.com/ 

What is the ad valorem millage rate for real property located within the City of Alabaster and how can the property tax be computed?

Shelby County is responsible for assessing and collecting ad valorem taxes for real and personal property in the City of Alabaster. Questions regarding tax assessment should be directed to:

Questions regarding tax collection should be directed to:

Ad valorem taxes are calculated based on the current millage rate. In this example we will use a millage rate of 0.05 ($50.00 for each $1,000 of the assessed property value).

Here is an example of the computation of annual tax on an owner occupied home, located within the corporate limits of Alabaster, using the following, additional assumptions:

• Fair Market Value of the home: $100,000
• Current "Assessed Value" equals 10% of Fair Market Value

The Assessed Value: $100,000x0.1=$10,000

Tax Due: ($10,000/1000)x50.00=$500

To this amount a Storm Water Fee is added. From this amount, the Homestead Exemption will be deducted, if the homeowner is eligible has applied for the exemption.

CONTACT THE TAX COMMISSIONERS OFFICE AT 669-3902 FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING:

• Homestead Exemptions
• Age 65 or Older Exemptions
• Disability Exemptions
• Other Exemptions
• Classifications
• Assessment Amounts
• Improvements on Property

You may now pay your ad valorem taxes over the Internet. To learn more about Shelby County services and to pay your property taxes, visit the County's website at http://www.shelbycountyalabama.com/

I want to open a restaurant in the City of Alabaster. How do I submit application for an alcohol license?

Applications for an alcohol license must be presented to the Alabaster City Council. Application must first be made to the State of Alabama ABC Enforcement Division located at 211 Summit Parkway, Homewood, AL 35209, phone (205)-942-7955.

The applicant must then fill out an application from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Alabama Department of Public Safety for a Criminal History Background Check. A copy of this application can be obtained from this web site by clicking on this link or by contacting the Revenue Department at (205) 664-6844. The completed application should then be forward to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Alabama Department of Public Safety for evaluation along with a $25.00 money order.  Once this background check has been returned back to you bring it and the paperwork completed by the ABC Enforcement Division to the Revenue Department.

All documents must be received (14) fourteen days before a council meeting in order to be placed on the agenda.  Someone from your organization will need to be present at the appointed date when it is then presented to the City Council. The City Council will make the final determination whether to grant or deny an Alcohol License.  If it is approved, after the council meeting you will then need to return to the Revenue Department to pay for the alcohol license.

I Have Sold Merchandise Or Services To The City. How Do I Get Paid?

Please, submit your invoice or bill to: Accounts Payable, 201 1^st Street North, Alabaster, AL  35007.

Every effort is taken to process payables in an efficient and timely manner. Anyone requesting information on an invoice should contact the Accounts Payables Clerk, Debbie Stewart at (205) 664-6800. In order to assist us in answering your questions, please have the invoice number, purchase order number and any other identifying information available before contacting this department.