Ala. Code § 11-68-14

No provision of this chapter shall be construed to require the dissolution of any historic development commission or architectural review board created by an ordinance enacted pursuant to prior laws. Any historic development commission or architectural review board created by an ordinance existing pursuant to prior laws and existing at the time of the enactment of this chapter shall continue in existence and shall have all of the purposes, powers, and authority set out in the ordinances creating such commissions and boards. Any such commission or board shall also have the power set forth in this chapter, if so provided by ordinance enacted by the governing body of the municipality creating the historic development commission or architectural review board. The fact that such a commission or board is not created by an ordinance enacted pursuant to this chapter shall not be cause for denying such commission or board certified local government status.