Effective Date:May 26, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how the City of Fairhope collects, uses, protects, and discloses personal information from residents, utility customers, permit applicants, service applicants, website visitors, and other individuals who interact with the City online or through City services.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through the City’s website at https://www.fairhopeal.gov, City web forms, City service requests, utility/customer service processes, permit and inspection processes, public information signups, and SMS/text messaging programs.

Collection of Personal Information

The City of Fairhope may collect personal information directly from you when you submit a web form, sign up for City notifications, request assistance, apply for services, request permits or inspections, contact City staff, set up or manage an account, or otherwise interact with the City.

Personal information we collect may include:

• Name
• Mailing address
• Service address
• Email address
• Phone number or mobile number
• Account, permit, inspection, service request, or case information
• Information you provide in forms, applications, emails, phone calls, or other communications with the City

The City’s website may also collect certain technical information automatically, such as IP address, browser type, operating system, referring website, date and time of visit, pages viewed, and other information about how visitors interact with the website. This information may be collected through cookies, analytics tools, or similar technologies.

Use of Personal Information

The City of Fairhope may use personal information for lawful City purposes, including:

• Providing City services, utility services, customer service, and support
• Responding to resident, customer, permit, inspection, or service inquiries
• Processing applications, requests, permits, inspections, reservations, payments, or accounts
• Sending service updates, appointment reminders, permit or inspection updates, utility/customer service follow-ups, public information notices, and responses to inquiries
• Operating, maintaining, and improving the City’s website and online services
• Communicating with individuals who have requested information from the City
• Complying with applicable laws, regulations, public records requirements, subpoenas, court orders, or other lawful requests
• Protecting the safety, security, rights, and property of the City, the public, or others

SMS/Text Messaging Privacy

The City of Fairhope may use SMS/text messaging to send informational and customer care communications to individuals who opt in to receive messages from the City.

SMS/text messages may include City notices, service updates, appointment reminders, permit or inspection updates, utility/customer service follow-ups, public information notices, and responses to resident or customer inquiries.

By opting in to receive SMS/text messages from the City of Fairhope, you agree to receive informational and customer care text messages from the City. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out. Reply HELP for help. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of receiving City services.

SMS Data Sharing

The City of Fairhope does not sell SMS opt-in information.

SMS opt-in data, mobile phone numbers, and SMS consent records will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes.

The City may share SMS-related information only with service providers that help the City provide and support its messaging services, and only as necessary for those providers to perform services on the City’s behalf. Such service providers are not permitted to use SMS opt-in data, mobile phone numbers, or consent records for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

Disclosure of Personal Information

The City of Fairhope may disclose personal information in limited circumstances, including:

• To service providers that assist the City with providing City services, website hosting, data hosting, communications, payment processing, customer support, analytics, or other operational services
• To comply with applicable laws, regulations, public records obligations, subpoenas, court orders, or other lawful requests
• To protect the safety, security, rights, or property of the City, the public, or others
• With your consent or as otherwise disclosed at the time information is collected

The City may share information that has been aggregated or de-identified in a way that does not reasonably identify an individual.

Nothing in this Privacy Policy is intended to limit or modify the City’s obligations under applicable public records laws.

Cookies, Analytics, and Website Technologies

The City’s website may use cookies, analytics tools, and similar technologies to help operate the website, improve user experience, understand website traffic, and maintain website functionality.

Your browser may allow you to block or disable cookies. Some parts of the website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

Email Communications

If you receive email communications from the City and wish to unsubscribe from optional email updates, you may follow the unsubscribe instructions included in the email, where available, or contact the City using the contact information below.

The City may still send transactional, service-related, or legally required communications related to your account, request, service, permit, inspection, application, or other relationship with the City.

Text Message Communications

To stop receiving text messages from the City of Fairhope, reply STOP to any City text message. You may also reply QUIT, CANCEL, END, UNSUBSCRIBE, or STOPALL where supported.

For help, reply HELP or contact the City of Fairhope at 251-928-2136.

For additional information, please see the City’s SMS Terms of Service at:

https://www.fairhopeal.gov/government/sms-terms-of-service-copy

Updating Your Information

If you need to update your contact information, please contact the appropriate City department or use the applicable City form, account portal, or service process.

Security

The City of Fairhope uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and the City cannot guarantee absolute security.

Children’s Privacy

The City’s website and SMS/text messaging programs are not intended to collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If the City becomes aware that it has collected personal information from a child under 13 without appropriate consent, the City will take appropriate steps to delete the information as required by law.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

The City of Fairhope may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on the City’s website with a revised effective date.

Contact Information

For questions about this Privacy Policy or the City’s privacy practices, please contact:

City of Fairhope
Website: https://www.fairhopeal.gov
Email: webmaster@fairhopeal.gov
Phone: 251-928-2136