County Building Permits
Coffee County, AL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Coffee County, Alabama. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
County Engineer regulates subdivision and development of land in Coffee County's unincorporated areas. The county FAQ states there are no zoning restrictions, ordinances, or building codes in unincorporated Coffee County except listed countywide areas of concern.
- Department
- Coffee County Highway Department / County Engineer's Office
- Address
- 1165 E. McKinnon Street, New Brockton, AL 36351
- Phone
- (334) 894-6112
- ema@co.coffee.al.us
Application Process
- No general county building permit process is published for ordinary construction in unincorporated areas.
- For county development permits in flood hazard areas, complete the Coffee County Development Permit Application and submit it to the County Floodplain Administrator.
- Wait for a written determination from the Floodplain Administrator.
Typical processing time: The flood hazard determination page says the determination will be made within five business days of receipt.
Source: Coffee County Highway Department / County Engineer's Office
General Requirements
Coffee County states there are no zoning restrictions, ordinances, or building codes within the unincorporated areas except subdivision regulations and flood damage prevention rules. Development in flood hazard areas requires a county development permit.
Required Documents
- Site plan
- Development plans to scale
- Subdivision or other development plans when applicable
- Watercourse relocation plans when applicable
- Engineer or architect certifications for floodproofing
- Other supporting documents listed in the floodplain permit materials
- Permit validity
- Flood development permit expires if no work is commenced within six months of issuance. The driveway permit expires one year from approval. Community development permits for certain planned communities require work to begin within one year of issuance.
- Building code
- The county FAQ states no building code is adopted for unincorporated areas except floodplain and subdivision-related rules.
- Owner-builder
- Not specifically published for ordinary county construction. For floodplain development, the applicant signs the application and consents to inspections.
- Contractor requirements
- For driveway construction, the applicant may contact a licensed contractor to install the driveway. The county permit itself does not publish a broader contractor licensing rule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Coffee County Highway Department / County Engineer's Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (334) 894-6112 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Driveway inspections request one business day notice. Floodplain applications are reviewed by the floodplain administrator.
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: For floodplain development, the County Floodplain Administrator or representative may make reasonable inspections to verify compliance. For driveways, the engineer's office inspects the proposed location, then inspects installation before fill material is placed over the pipe.
Additional Resources
- Building code: The county FAQ states no building code is adopted for unincorporated areas except floodplain and subdivision-related rules.
- Coffee County FAQ
- Highway Department
- Addressing
- Flood Hazard Determination
- License lookup guide: Alabama Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Alabama Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Alabama hub: Alabama Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Coffee County Highway Department / County Engineer's Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coffee County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Coffee County, AL?
- Coffee County states there are no zoning restrictions, ordinances, or building codes within the unincorporated areas except subdivision regulations and flood damage prevention rules. Development in flood hazard areas requires a county development permit.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Coffee County, AL?
- 1. No general county building permit process is published for ordinary construction in unincorporated areas. 2. For county development permits in flood hazard areas, complete the Coffee County Development Permit Application and submit it to the County Floodplain Administrator. 3. Wait for a written determination from the Floodplain Administrator.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Coffee County, AL?
- Typical processing time is The flood hazard determination page says the determination will be made within five business days of receipt..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Coffee County, AL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (334) 894-6112. Driveway inspections request one business day notice. Floodplain applications are reviewed by the floodplain administrator..
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