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1. When does the City Council meet?

The City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the municipal court room on the other side of the police department building located at:
300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Opelika, AL 36801

The regular council meetings begin at 6 p.m. Work sessions start times vary from 5:30 - 5:45 p.m. prior to the regular Council meeting depending on what must be covered. Times for each session are given in the agenda documents. The public is welcome, and encouraged to attend, both the work sessions and the council meetings. For additional information on any upcoming City Council meeting and/or its agenda, either call the City Clerk’s office at 334-705-5110. The minutes from previous meetings are posted on this website.

2. How do I find out who my City Council representative is?

Type in your address to our GIS system and visit our City Council page to match your representative with your ward. If you're new to Opelika and just not sure if you are in city limits, call the Voter Registrars office at the Lee County Courthouse at 334-737-3635.

3. How do I register to vote?

You will need to go to the Board of Registrars office, located at the Lee County Courthouse in downtown Opelika at:

215 S 9th Street

Opelika, AL 36801

Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  If you have other questions, their phone number is 334-737-3635.  

Please Note:  When you go to vote, you will need to carry a picture ID with you.

4. Do I live in city limits?

The best way to know is if you have an Opelika garbage can and Opelika Environmental Services picks up your trash. Here is a GIS map to see which ward you live in.

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1. How do I receive my tickets?

Digital tickets will be distributed at the time of registration. 

• If you register online your tickets will be emailed with your receipt.
• If you register in person you can ask the front desk staff to email them along with your receipt or they can print paper copies for you.
• You can access them using your online registration account by going to My Account > Reprint a Ticket

Tickets will be scanned upon entry into the dance. You can scan paper tickets or present digital tickets on your mobile device.

2. Can I purchase tickets after the registration deadline?

Yes, but the ticket price will increase to $50 per couple.Late registration must be made in person at the Opelika SportsPlex front desk. 

3. Can I purchase tickets at the door?

No. Please purchase your tickets in advance so we can adequately plan for you.

4. What is the age limit?

This dance is for girls ages 12 and younger. There is no minimum age.

5. What if my child's father cannot come?

Daughters must be accompanied by a father or other adult male. In the absence of a father, a grandfather, uncle, or any other male family friend can accompany a child. Mothers will not be allowed inside of the dance. 

6. Can I volunteer at the dance?

Yes, we need volunteers to help make this possible. Email Laura Leigh Chesser at [email protected] to sign-up. Mothers can volunteer in the dining area if they wish to be a part of this special night. Parent volunteers will still notbe allowed into the dance.

7. What will be served for dinner?

Dinner is catered by Chil-fil-A and will include chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, fruit and brownies. Those with food allergies must plan accordingly.

8. Can mothers come inside of the dance?

No, all mothers will be stopped at the door. Please ensure fathers and daughters have their tickets, picture package money and any other items before the enter the dance. 

9. Are picture packages available?

Picture Packages will be available for purchase the night of the dance. Packages begin at $12. Cash, debit and credit cards will be accepted.

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1. How do I have household appliances picked up?

For the City of Opelika to pick up appliances, the appliance must have a “permit sticker” showing – otherwise, City crews will not pick it up! You can purchase appliance permit stickers at one of two places: the Revenue Department, located on the first floor of City Hall, or at the Building Inspection offices, located at the Public Works facilities on 700 Fox Trail. Stickers for non-hazardous appliances are $5 each. Stickers for hazardous appliances (anything with Freon in it) are $15 each. Pick-up is on Friday mornings only. Applicances may be brought to one of our recycling centers at no charge.

2. How do I get a refuse/garbage account started?

If you are on the City’s power (Opelika Power Services), a work order for the can is automatically generated for you when you sign up for power services. If you have Alabama Power or TREC power, then you must go to the Opelika Power Services Customer Service Center, located at 600 Fox Run Parkway, and request garbage collection. 

3. How do I get rid of recyclable items?

• Sign up for curbside recycling for $10 per month.
• Take items to one of our collection sites:
  • 8th Avenue - Hours of operation are Friday, 8 a.m. to Tuesday, 8 a.m.
  • Jeter Avenue - Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

4. My garbage container is damaged. Who do I call?

Opelika Environmental Services provides garbage containers for all of  the City's residences and businesses. Just contact us at 334-705-5480, and someone will come out and determine if your cart can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.

5. Does Opelika have a curbside recycling program?

Yes, we do! Visit our Recycling page for more information, and to sign up for curbside recycling, submit our online form.

6. How do I find out what my pick up day is?

View our Garbage Collection Day Listing.

7. How do I know the difference between "garbage" and "trash"?

“Garbage” is the bagged household waste produced in your home. “Trash” is defined as limbs, grass clippings, furniture and appliances, metal objects and other “non-hazardous” materials.

8. Why didn't my trash get picked up?

There are several reasons why your trash may not be picked up – and Opelika Environmental Services wants to let you know about these reasons, so you can help us out.

• Cut down trees and other wood was too large. The City of Opelika will only pick up limbs and tree parts that are less than 6 inches in diameter and 5 feet in length. If limbs are larger than this, call us at 334-705-5480 for a quote. Our equipment cannot handle larger wood, and we will not cut it to pick it up.
• Trash (appliances) had no tags. The City of Opelika will pick up used appliances, but you must purchase a special tag for the city to do this. Non-hazardous appliance tags are $5 and hazardous appliance (i.e. refrigerators, freezers, and microwaves) tags are $15. You can purchase these at the Opelika Revenue Department, located in City Hall at 204 South 7th Street.
• Trash was blocked by a vehicle. Please don’t place your trash behind regular parking spots. Place at least 5 feet from any obstruction.
• Trash was placed on a vacant lot. We will not pick up trash off of vacant lots because there are no city services to rendered to vacant lots!
• The trash was placed under power, cable or phone lines. Employees will not pick up trash under any type of power or communications lines. Our equipment has a hard time maneuvering under them, and it’s simply not safe for our employees.
• The trash was too close to mailboxes, tree lines or power poles. Trash needs to be placed 4 to 5 feet from all of these to ensure that our equipment can safely pick up trash, without causing any damage to private property.

9. Are there some "trash" items the city will not pick up?

Yes. There are certain items that the City of Opelika will not ever pick up, and you should know about these.

• We do not pick up paint, iron, rocks, building remodeling, concrete or dirt. We will pick up completely empty paint cans that have been filled with either sand or kitty litter, however. You should let the inside of the paint can completely dry out first, though. (If you have a good amount of paint left in the can – and it is still usable – why not donate it to a charitable group?)
• We do not pick up tires. Residents may bring up to 8 tires to one of our recycling centers.
• We do not pick up automobile motors or any other auto parts
• We do not pick up batteries. You can bring them to one of our recycling centers.

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1. Are there outside burning regulations?

Yes.  Any outside burning, including bonfires and trash burning, requires special permits from the Opelika Fire Department.  For more information and or permits call 334-705-5300.

2. I collect patches from Police Departments and Fire Departments. How do I go about getting one from Opelika?

Sadly, the events of September 11th have changed everything. And that means that the Opelika Police and Fire Departments no longer send out patches or pins that could be used to gain entry to secured areas or attached to a uniform for illegal activities.

3. How do I apply for a job?

Visit the Employment Opportunities website. If there is not an opening, fill out a job interest card.

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1. How do I rent space at the library?

Information about our 6 rentable spaces can be found at this page. To submit a reservation request, please fill out this form and a staff member will be in touch with 72 hours.

2. How do I get a library card?

Just bring a photo id and proof of residency to the library. If your state issued id (e.g. driver's license) has your correct address on it, that is all you need! For proof of residence, we prefer a utility bill in your name. However, we will accept most mail that is to you, not "you or current resident."

3. Who can have a library card?

Anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Opelika is eligible for a library card! 

Additionally, because of participation in the Horseshoe Bend Regional Library system, all residents of Coosa, Elmore, Lee, and Tallapoosa counties are eligible for a card. If you do not fall within any of these guideline, you can purchase a card for $20 per person per year.

4. How much is a library card?

There is no cost for a library card.

5. Did you used to be called the Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library?

Yes. Yes we did. 

6. Who is Lewis Cooper Jr.?

Lewis Cooper Jr. was the President of City Commissioners (Mayor) for Opelika during the time of the library's construction.  He was instrumental in raising the approximately $500,000.00 for the more than 15,000 square feet building. 

7. Do you accept donations?

We accept donations of hardback or paperback books published within the last five years that are in excellent (new or like new) condition. We cannot accept items with mold, mildew, foxing, stains, smells, etc. as these will cause damage to our permanent collection. 

The Library does NOT accept: 

• CDROMs, VHS, cassettes, burned/downloaded CDs or DVDs
• Magazines and newspapers
• Text books or encyclopedias
• Books in languages not collected by the library
• Government documents, pamphlets, owner's manuals, or other "free" literature

Please do not leave items at the library's doors. Please email [email protected] to see if we can accept your donation.

8. Can I volunteer at the library?

All volunteers out of high school are handled through the Friends of the Library. To get more information, please contact them at [email protected].

Volunteers aged 13-18 and still in high school may contact [email protected] to find out more about volunteering. 

We do not accept volunteers on court-ordered community service.

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1. What do I do if I get a traffic ticket?

If you get a traffic ticket, and are guilty of the offense, then you should contact the Municipal Court at 334-705-5190 and get the fine amount. You must come in personally and pay the fine before the court date on the ticket. To plead guilty and pay your citation before going to court, several conditions must be met:

1. The charge must be one of those listed in Rule 20, Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, or be authorized by the City Code.
2. You must not be a repeat offender.
3. You must either appear in person or mail in the payment. You may not send it by a friend.
4. No personal checks will be accepted.
5. You must have your copy of the ticket with you or enclose it with a mail-in payment.
6. No partial payments will be accepted.
7. Call 334-705-5190 for further information if you have questions.

If you feel you are not guilty, then come to court on the date and time specified on your ticket. The Officer who issued you the ticket will have the burden to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The important thing to remember is if you don’t pay the ticket before your court date, and then you don’t show up for your court date, a warrant for your arrest will be issued, and your driver’s license will be suspended. So either pay the ticket off before hand or come to court!

2. Do I have to go to court for all violations/offenses?

No. There are a number of violations/offenses which do not require a court appearance. However, you will still be responsible for paying court/administrative costs, along with the amount of the fine for your offense. And, you must plead guilty as charged. View a list of Offenses and Fines. 

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1. Where can I access online registration?

Please visit our Online Registration portal.

2. How do I create an account?

If you have never held a membership, reserved a facility or registered for a program, activity, sport, league or event, you will need to create a new account via the Online Registration portal.

3. How do I access an existing account?

If you already have an account and cannot access it, you will need assistance from Parks and Recreation staff. Please call (334) 705-5560 or email us.

4. I am getting a "duplicate household found" message?

You probably already have an account from a past transaction at one of our facilities. Call us at (334) 705-5560 or email us and we will reset your login credentials for you. 

Our system looks at all of the names, phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, birthdays and other identifying information within our system. If you are trying to create an account and two or more identifying factors match with an existing account it will not let you proceed.

5. What if I can't find the program I'm looking for?

Not all Parks and Recreation activities are eligible for online registration. If you cannot find the activity (and we are currently within the registration period), that activity may be not eligible for online registration. Please call us 334-705-5560 for more information on how to register.

6. I am locked out of my account. What do I do?

If you enter the wrong password to many time, you will get locked out of your account. If this happens to you, please give us a call at 334-705-5560 and we can unlock that account for you.

7. Updating household information

It is important to make sure all of your household's information is correct. You can access your household by clicking "My Account" and then "Household & Member"

Recommended actions:

• Add any missing family members
• Confirm adult Relationship Codes are listed "Primary Guardian" or "Secondary Guardian" 
• Confirm your address is correct
• Confirm correct cell phone numbers are listed for all adults (important for receiving information from league coaches)
• Confirm all children's birthdays are listed accurately
• Confirm all children have their school grade listed correctly.

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1. How much does day camp cost?

Plex Camp is $210 per session for Opelika Residents. Non-residents are charged a 10% fee increase, raising the price to $231 per session.

Covington Day Camp is $175 per session for Opelika Residents. Non-residents are charged a 10% fee increase, raising the price to $193 per session.

The entire fee for each session is due at the time of registration.

2. What ages can participate in day camp?

Plex Camp is for children who have completed 1st-5th grade. 

Covington Day Camp is for children entering Kindergarten-7th grade.

3. What are the day camp hours?

Day Camp is from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Drop-off begins at 7:45 a.m. and pickup ends at 3:15 p.m. 

We have extended day programs (Plex Kids and Cov Kids) for those who need a later pickup time. Plex Kids and Cov Kids are from 3:00-5:30 p.m. Please see the Summer Park Bench Activity Guide for more information.

4. What activities will my child be doing?

Daily activities include arts and crafts, dodgeball, kickball and swimming. Each session will also have a couple of scheduled field trips off campus. Parents will receive detailed itineraries at the beginning of camp.

5. What do I need to pack?

Day camp has water based activities daily. Children will need to have a swimsuit and towel every day of camp. 

Children will require a packed lunch if there is not a scheduled lunch outing. We provide daily snacks.

Parents will receive a detailed itinerary at the beginning of camp with required items listed for each day.

6. When can I register for day camp?

2023 registration for Plex Camp  and Covington Day Cam begins on Monday, May 1. The first two days of registration are for Opelika Residents only. Non-residents can register beginning at 8:00 a.m. on the third day of registration. You can register online or in-person at the respective facility.

7. What do you require for proof of residency?

All Opelika residents must provide a proof of residency (ex. driver’s license).

If your driver’s license does not have your current Opelika address, you can still register. After registration you will have one week to provide your proof of residency (ex. utility bill). If you are unable to provide a proof of residency within a week, your spot will be forfeited and you will be issued a refund.

If the person registering the child is not the parent or guardian and the registrant does not have the parent/guardian’s proof of residency, you can still register the child. After registration the parent/guardian will have one week to provide their proof of residency. If the parent is unable to provide a proof of residency within a week, their spot will be forfeited and they will be issued a refund.

8. What time does registration start?

Registration begins at 8 a.m. (in-person and online).

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1. If I rent the Splash Park will I have the entire area to myself?

No. Your rental includes one of the covered pavilions at the
Splash Park. There may be other parties, members or guests using the park
during your rental.

2. How much notice is required for a cancelation?

Reservations must be canceled in person at the Opelika
SportsPlex no later than seven business days prior to the reservation date.
Cancelations requested with less than seven business days will forfeit all
monies. In the event of inclement weather, 24 hours notice is required for
cancelation.

3. What if it is raining during my Splash Park party?

With any outdoor venue, weather can be a factor. If there is indoor space available, we will move your party indoors. If no space is available, we will issue a full refund. 24 hours notice is required for a cancelation in the event of rain.

4. Can I bring food, drinks and gifts?

Food, drinks and gifts are allowed in the meeting rooms and at the Splash Park. Food, drinks and gifts are not allowed on the pool deck. 

5. When is my reservation fee due?

All reservations must be paid in full at the time of the reservation. Reservations will be considered on a first come, first serve basis. No holds are allowed.

6. Can I come early to set-up or decorate?

All set-up, take down and clean-up must be done within your reservation time frame. Additional hours may be purchased, pending availability.

7. When will my deposit be returned?

Your deposit will be returned within 10 working days, provided that no deviations from guidelines occur and that no false/incomplete information was given regarding the rental.

8. Is there staff available to help me set-up my party?

OPR does not have the crew to unload, load, set-up or take down equipment supplied by the rental party. OPR's staff is on duty to monitor the use of the facility or equipment. Renters will be responsible for providing manpower for set-up, etc of their own equipment. 

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1. I have questions about Opelika's zoning laws. Where do I find out about these?

View information on Opelika's zoning laws. If after reviewing the different documents, you still have questions, then please do not hesitate to call the Planning Department at 334-705-5156.

2. Where do I go to get building permits?

For building permits, call the Inspection Division located in the Public Works facilities at 334-705-5420. Someone there will be happy to walk you through the process.  

3. Who do I call to get help with soil erosion control, excavations, driveway and curb cutting?

Call the Engineering Department, located at Public Works facilities at 334-705-5450.

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1. How do I report something suspicious in my neighborhood without giving my name?

Call the department's "Secret Witness Hotline" at 334-745-8665. This is a voice mail answering machine. You do not have to leave your name. Simply give us a brief description of the problem and we will act on your tip. Your anonymity is assured.

2. How do I get a copy of a police report?

You can pick up a copy of a police report from our Records Division at the Opelika Police Department during normal business hours of Monday through Friday 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. central time. There is a $10 charge for each report copy. We accept credit cards, cash or money orders. No checks are accepted. If you have any questions you may call one of our records clerks at 334-705-5294. The Opelika Police Department is located at 501 South 10th Street, Opelika, Alabama 36801.

If you need a crash report, you can purchase one online through Carfax. It may take a few days following the crash for the report to be uploaded in the system. You will need your report or reference number. If you need any assistance, please call 334.705.5200. 

3. Can I hire a Police Officer for a Special Event?

Yes, you can call (334) 705-5258 and speak with Lt. Blackburn. The cost is $40/hour with a 4 hour minimum.

4. What is required to become an Opelika Police Officer?

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Twenty-one (21) years of age
• U.S. citizen
• High school graduate or GED
• No felony convictions
• No convictions involving crimes of moral turpitude
• No convictions of domestic violence-related charges
• Good driving record
• Military personnel must have an honorable discharge

Once their online application has been received, applicants will take a Basic Ability Test, Physical Agility Test, complete a background check and formal interview, take a polygraph examination and take a medical and drug screening.

5. I collect patches from Police Departments and Fire Departments. How do I go about getting one from Opelika?

Sadly, the events of September 11th have changed everything.  And that means that the Opelika Police and Fire Departments no longer send out patches or pins that could be used to gain entry to secured areas or attached to a uniform for illegal activities.

6. How can I check the status of someone arrested by the Opelika Police Department?

Arrestees are taken to the Lee County Jail located at 1900 Frederick Road, Opelika, AL 36803. The facility can be reached at (334) 749-5651. There is also an Inmate Search available online.

7. How do I find out if I have a warrant?

We cannot confirm if someone is wanted over the phone. The individual must come to the Police Department and speak with a Police Officer or you can call the Opelika Municipal Court at (334) 705-5190 for more information.

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1. What time is the event?

Reindeer Express takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. each night.

2. What activities will you have?

• The Rocky Brook Rocket miniature train will take you on a ride through beautiful Christmas scenes and thousands of Christmas lights. Train rides are $2 and are CASH ONLY.
• A Christmas Market featuring local artisans will be open, allowing you to purchase beautiful handmade items made by people in our community. Payment options vary from vendor to vendor. We recommend bringing CASH.
• Santa Claus will be in attendance. Children can come visit with him and parents can take photos with their phone/camera. Santa visits are FREE.
• Local choirs and performance groups will provide entertainment, schedule TBA.
• The Opelika Band Boosters will be selling hamburgers, hotdogs, hot chocolate and other concession items. Concessions are CASH ONLY.

3. How much are train rides?

Train rides are $2 per person. Train rides are cash only. All passengers must have a ticket to ride the train. 

4. Does my infant need a ticket?

Yes, even infants must have a ticket to ride the train. 

5. What payment options do you accept?

Train rides and concessions are cash only. Christmas market payment options vary from vendor to vendor. We recommend bringing cash. 

6. How much are pictures with Santa?

Santa pictures are FREE. We will NOT have a professional photographer for Santa pictures. Parents are welcome to being a camera or their phone to photograph their children with Santa. 

7. What type of concessions will be available?

The Opelika Band Boosters will run concessions this year. Items will include hamburgers, hotdogs, popcorn, hot chocolate, chips, candy and more. Concessions are CASH ONLY. 

8. What types of vendors will be at the Christmas Market?

The Christmas Market will feature local artisans selling handmade items including jewelry, soaps, crochet items, dolls, bags, cards, ornaments, wreaths, Christmas decor, and much more. It is a great opportunity to buy locally made Christmas gifts for your loved ones.

9. How do I become a vendor at the Christmas Market?

Please email [email protected] with information about your business. 

10. How long is the line to ride the train?

During peak hours the train line can increase to 45-60 minutes. For the shortest wait we recommend coming between 5:00-6:00 p.m. or 7:30-8:00 p.m. Please remember to dress in accordance with the temperature and wear comfortable shoes. 

11. Where can I park?

Limited parking is available at the top parking lot within Monkey Park. Additional parking is available at Northside Intermediate School, Miles Thomas Field, Denson Drive Recreation Center, Opelika Middle School, along Park Road and along 5^thStreet.

12. If it's raining will the event be rescheduled?

This is not a rain or shine event. Inclement weather can cause postponement or cancelation of activities.

13. Can I take pictures with the Christmas scenes?

Park visitors are NOT allowed to cross the barricades and flagging to access the Christmas decorations at back of the park. Unsecure extension cords and electrical wiring are abundant. They pose a great danger to pedestrians. Please keep a close watch on children and respect all boundaries within the park.

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1. How much notice is required to cancel my membership?

A one-month notice is required to cancel your
membership.

2. Are there any sign-up fees or cancelation fees?

No. The only fee you are responsible for is the
monthly or yearly fee associated with your membership.

3. What types of payment are accepted?

Yearly fees can be paid by credit card, debit card, cash or
check.

Monthly fees are drafted from your checking or savings
account.

4. What do I need to bring to sign up?

1.  Drivers licenses are required for all applicants.

2.  If paying monthly, we require a voided check. No starter checks are accepted. If you do not have checks we will accept a letter printed on your bank’s letterhead with your name, routing number and account information.

3.  If your current address is not reflected on your driver’s license, we will need a proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement.

 If a child has a different last name from the parents, we need a copy of their birth certificate.