§11-24-1. Definitions; regulation of lots, streets, drainage, utilities, etc.; developer to reimburse utility for uneconomical placement.

(a) When used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) COUNTY. A political subdivision of the state created by statute to aid in the administration of government.

(2) COUNTY COMMISSION. The chief administrative or legislative body of the county.

(3) STREETS. Streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, lanes, alleys, viaducts, and other roads.

(4) SUBDIVISION. The development and division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into two or more lots, plats, sites, or otherwise for the purpose of establishing or creating a subdivision through the sale, lease, or building development. Development includes, but is not limited to, the design work of lot layout, the construction of drainage structures, the construction of buildings or public use areas, the planning and construction of public streets and public roads, and the placement of public utilities. A subdivision does not include the construction or development of roads or buildings on private property to be used for agricultural purposes.

(b) The county commission or like governing body of each county in the state shall be authorized to regulate the minimum size of lots, the planning and construction of all public streets, public roads, and drainage structures and require proper placement of public utilities to be located in proposed subdivisions of land or in proposed additions to subdivisions of land existing at the time of the enactment of this chapter where the subdivisions are situated outside the corporate limits of any municipality in the county. The placement of public utilities shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Southern Standard Building Code, state and federal laws, and regulations of state and federal regulatory agencies. If the county commission or like governing body of any county shall require the placement of public utility facilities in any subdivision or addition thereto in a manner which is other than the most economical method available from an engineering standpoint, then the developer of the subdivision or addition shall reimburse the utility for the difference in cost between the method so required by the county governing body and the most economical method available.

(c) The county commission or like governing body of each county in the state may establish a board of developers to make suggestions to the commission regarding the development and division of subdivisions. The board may advise the commission on the contents of the regulations, revisions that need to be made to the regulations, and assist in resolving disputes between the commission and developers.

(Acts 1979, No. 79-553, p. 1002, §1; Acts 1997, No. 97-422, p. 718, §1.)