Home

What is Limited Self-Governance?

Limited Self-Governance is a restricted set of health and safety powers that voters can authorize for their county commissions. In counties with Limited Self-Governance, local leaders have the ability to respond to citizen concerns and abate certain identified nuisances in unincorporated areas.

Nuisances that can be abated with Limited Self-Governance are restricted to: unsanitary sewage, noise, litter and rubbish, pollution, overgrown weeds, junkyards and animals.

What isn’t Limited Self-Governance?

  • It isn’t home rule
  • It isn’t taxing authority
  • It isn’t planning, zoning or otherwise regulating land use

Who has Limited Self-Governance?

Limited Self-Governance is effective in 19 Alabama counties: Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Cherokee, Colbert, Coosa, Dallas, DeKalb, Escambia, Geneva, Jackson, Lee, Macon, Madison, Mobile, Monroe, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Winston.

“Good government is no substitute for self-government. ”
– Mahatma Gandhi