Alabama Code Title 11. Counties and Municipal Corporations § 11-24-2.1

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11-24-2, the developer may obtain authorization from the county engineer to secure pre-sale agreements from prospective buyers of property included in a proposed subdivision development prior to obtaining the permit to develop if the developer establishes to the satisfaction of the county engineer that:  (1) the developer has a preliminary plan for the subdivision development that is likely to be approved under the county's subdivision regulations and (2) the developer has explained to the satisfaction of the county engineer the reasons for requesting authorization to secure pre-sale agreements.

(b) Upon receiving authorization from the county engineer for the developer to secure pre-sale agreements as provided in subsection (a), the developer shall notify the county engineer in writing when financing has been obtained, and if no such notification is received within six months of the date the authority is granted, the authority shall be revoked by the operation of law and any further efforts on the part of the developer to secure pre-sale agreements shall be a violation of this chapter punishable by fines as set out in Section 11-24-3. The developer may request from the county engineer an extension of the time set forth herein for notification in order to allow the developer additional time to secure pre-sale agreements;  provided that no pre-sale agreements may be entered into following the six-month time period until and unless an extension has been granted.

(c) Any pre-sale agreements secured by the developer under authority of this section shall clearly state that any final sale of the property shall not take place until and unless the developer has obtained a permit to develop pursuant to the requirements of Section 11-24-2. Any pre-sale agreements executed in violation of this chapter shall be punishable by fines as set out in Section 11-24-3. Additionally, the failure to comply with this section shall result in the county engineer revoking the authority granted to secure pre-sale agreements for the proposed development.

(d) The authorization to secure pre-sale agreements from prospective buyers of property included in a proposed subdivision development prior to obtaining the permit to develop as provided in this section shall in no way affect the developer's requirement to comply with the county's subdivision regulations and, in particular, to obtain the permit to develop as provided in Section 11-24-2 prior to the actual sale, offering for sale, transfer, or lease of any lots from the subdivision except as specifically authorized in this section.