Ala. Code § 11-52-79

In availing itself of the powers conferred by this article, the legislative body of any incorporated city or town may appoint a commission, to be known as the zoning commission, to recommend the boundaries of the various original districts and appropriate regulations to be enforced therein. Such commission shall make a preliminary report and hold a public hearing thereon before submitting its final report. In case of the appointment of such zoning commission, the municipal legislative body shall not hold its public hearings or take action until it has received the final report of such commission. Where a municipal planning commission already exists, it may be appointed as the “zoning commission.”