Land Development Education Center

A feasibility study provides decision-makers with the information they need to make informed choices about a project. It provides a clear picture of the project’s potential, including its financial viability, market demand, and technical feasibility. This information allows stakeholders to weigh the pros and cons of the project and make a rational decision about whether or not to proceed.

If you’ve ever thought, “Permitting shouldn’t take more than a couple of weeks, right?”, you’re not alone. But unfortunately, you’re also not correct. In Alabama, permitting timelines vary wildly depending on location, project type, land conditions, and how prepared you are when you walk into that municipal office. And the hard truth is: most projects [...]

Conducting a feasibility study can seem like a daunting undertaking, especially if you have never done one before. However, breaking the process down into five manageable steps makes it far more approachable. Whether you are evaluating a new business venture, a capital project, or a strategic initiative, following a structured methodology ensures that your feasibility [...]

From cost-conscious first-time buyers to minimalists seeking simpler living, the demand for compact, efficient housing has exploded across the U.S. And Alabama? It’s ripe for it. Plenty of land. Growing populations. A housing affordability crisis knocking on every county’s door. But here’s the inconvenient truth: In many parts of Alabama, tiny homes are technically illegal, except in [...]

You’ve got land in Alabama and a vision—maybe a residential subdivision, a commercial build, or a mixed-use project that could transform a corner of your county. But before any dirt gets moved, there’s one question that separates successful developers from future lawsuits: Have you done your Phase 1 and Phase 2 engineering? In land development, [...]

You’ve checked your zoning. You’ve read the code. You’re ready to design. But there’s a hidden layer in Alabama development that most landowners never even consider until it’s too late. It’s called the comprehensive plan, and while it’s not a legally binding document, it holds enormous power over whether your project gets approved or rejected. [...]

“Let’s just wait and see.” Famous last words, right before a flood zone reclassification, a denied variance, or a neighbor contesting your permit. In Alabama, inaction is an action and often the costliest one. Those five little words have cost Alabama landowners hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions of dollars. Not through bad luck or bad [...]

When most people purchase land in Alabama, they’re focused on the possibilities. What can I build here? Can I subdivide? Is this the perfect site for my home, business, or investment project? But there’s a silent gatekeeper between your vision and your outcome: your zoning classification. Zoning isn’t just paperwork. It’s the invisible framework that [...]

You bought land. It’s yours. So naturally, you can do what you want with it, build a few homes, maybe a shop, or even that tiny home village you’ve been dreaming about. But then you hit the wall. Zoning. Across Alabama, zoning laws are a constantly shifting landscape of restrictions, interpretations, and outright contradictions. Most [...]

You’ve got the land. You’ve got a vision. And you’re ready to make moves. So you start calling a contractor or sketching ideas or maybe even pushing forward with grading and clearing. But here’s what most landowners in Alabama don’t realize until it’s too late: The moment you act without a proper development strategy, you’re [...]

Tiny homes are not just a trend—they’re a movement. From cost-conscious first-time buyers to minimalists seeking simpler living, the demand for compact, efficient housing has exploded across the U.S. And Alabama? It’s ripe for it. Plenty of land. Growing populations. A housing affordability crisis knocking on every county’s door. But here’s the inconvenient truth: In [...]