NEW: City Council to consider an update to the Downtown Development District Code

On April 16, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended approval of amendments to the Downtown Development District code (Appendix A of the UDC). The City Council will now consider the amendments at a Public Hearing during their June 2, 2026 meeting.

The proposed amendments clarify minor inconsistencies identified during the previous adoption process (January 2026). Specifically, the amendments: establish an administrative process for minor deviations; clarify the development process in SD districts; clarify curb-cut requirements for access to parking lots from primary and secondary frontages and the location of parking lots relative to the principal building façade; clarify screening requirements for surface parking lots and parking structures; reintroduce screening requirements for rooftop equipment; clarify the design intent of metal fences; reintroduce signage and façade illustrative graphics; and correct typographical, reference, and regulatory text errors and omissions.

Amendments are proposed to the following Sections of Appendix A:

Section 1. General Provisions
Section 2. Administrative Procedures
Section 3. Zoning Sub-Districts
Section 5. Development Standards
Section 6. Frontage Standards
Section 7. Building Design and Material Standards
Section 9. Definitions and Rules of Construction

No amendments are proposed for Section 4. Use Regulations or Section 8. Nonconformities

A copy of the proposed amendments is available for public inspection in the Office of the Mobile City Clerk on the 9th floor of Mobile Government Plaza, South Tower, 205 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602, during normal business hours.

Those desiring to submit written comments may email them to cityclerk@cityofmobile.org, or may mail them to City of Mobile, City Clerk, P.O. Box 1827, Mobile, Alabama 36633, or may deliver them to the City Clerk’s Office, Mobile Government Plaza, Ninth Floor, 205 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama 36644.
Written comments must be received by noon on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.