Fairhope, AL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building and Permitting

Street address

555 South Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532

Phone

251-990-0153

buildingpermits@fairhopeal.gov

Coverage

City building office handles building and land use permits, inspections, floodplain, stormwater, and right of way matters for Fairhope.

Online portal

CitizenServe

Website

Department website

Additional resources

Building Department ↗

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Fairhope

City building page states permits are required before beginning construction.

Note: No concise Fairhope exempt-work list was found on the public pages reviewed.

Required documents

Varies by permit type; city portal page requires uploaded plans and application materials

Building code: City Building Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals materials reference City of Fairhope Ordinance 1639 as the building code ordinance governing adopted construction codes.
Contractor requirements: City building portal requires contractor registration and applicable licensing.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Register in the Fairhope CitizenServe portal.
02

Select the permit type and enter project information.
03

Upload required application materials.
04

Staff review the submittal and issue comments if needed.
05

Applicant logs back in, tracks review, and responds to comments.
06

After approval, pay online and print the issued permit card.
07

Schedule inspections by calling the building office.

Source: Building and Permitting ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Fairhope building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Plan check fee

Use city fee schedule; plan review fees are included there.

Permit fee formula

Fairhope fee schedule and permit portal use valuation-based and permit-type-based fees.

Reinspection fee

Confirm on city fee schedule or with building office; not summarized on the main building page reviewed.

Online payment available after approval through CitizenServe.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

251-990-0153 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical sequence: Determined by permit type and city inspection list.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Fairhope permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Fairhope, AL? ▸

City building page states permits are required before beginning construction.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Fairhope, AL? ▸

Building permit fees in Fairhope, AL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Fairhope fee schedule and permit portal use valuation-based and permit-type-based fees.. Plan check fee: Use city fee schedule; plan review fees are included there..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Fairhope, AL? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Fairhope, AL, follow these steps: 1. Register in the Fairhope CitizenServe portal. 2. Select the permit type and enter project information. 3. Upload required application materials. 4. Staff review the submittal and issue comments if needed. 5. Applicant logs back in, tracks review, and responds to comments. 6. After approval, pay online and print the issued permit card. 7. Schedule inspections by calling the building office.

04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Fairhope, AL? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Fairhope, AL via: 251-990-0153.

last verified April 2026 source Building and Permitting ↗ entry id permits/alabama/baldwin/fairhope

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building and Permitting before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Fairhope

Other jurisdictions in Baldwin County.