City Building Permits

Smiths Station, AL - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Smiths Station, Alabama. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Alabama Lee County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Smiths Station publicly states Lee County Building Inspections administers building permits for the city, but city approvals are required first for zoning, site plan, land disturbance, and initial stormwater runoff control.

Department
City of Smiths Station Planning, Zoning, Storm Water, and Flood Management; Lee County Building Inspections for building permits
Address
2336 Panther Parkway, Smiths Station, AL 36877
Phone
(334) 297-8771

Online Permit Portal

Platform: City webpage plus Lee County permit routing • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

  1. Apply to the City of Smiths Station for City Site Plan (Zoning Certificate) approval.
  2. Obtain the City Land Disturbance Permit.
  3. Obtain Initial Storm Water Runoff Control approval.
  4. After city approvals, file for the building permit with Lee County Building Inspections.
  5. Complete county permit review, fee payment, and permit issuance.
  6. Schedule inspections through Lee County during construction.

Source: City of Smiths Station Planning, Zoning, Storm Water, and Flood Management; Lee County Building Inspections for building permits

General Requirements

Smiths Station states all new construction requires the listed city approvals before Lee County will approve a building permit.

Required Documents

  • City site plan and stormwater related materials for city approvals, then applicable county building permit documents for the permit itself.
Building code
Building permit code enforcement is handled by Lee County for the city; see Lee County adopted code list.
Contractor requirements
Confirm both municipal site-development requirements and Alabama state contractor or trade licensing before filing with Lee County.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
For the building permit itself, Lee County's minimum published fee is no fee up to $1,000 valuation unless an inspection is required, then $40 per inspection.
Plan check fee
Lee County posts no in-house plan review fee, with outside review charged only when required.
Permit fee formula
Building permit fees follow Lee County's valuation based schedule; city site-development approval fees were not clearly posted in reviewed sources.
Reinspection fee
Lee County publishes $25 for the third inspection of the same phase and $100 for each additional inspection.
Payment note
Lee County accepts card payments with a 3 percent service fee; confirm any separate city payment requirements directly with Smiths Station.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • No city-specific exempt-work list was clearly posted in reviewed Smiths Station sources.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Building inspections route through Lee County Building Inspections after permit issuance. (contact)
Inspection hours
Smiths Station city hall hours posted as Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern; Lee County Smiths Station annex hours posted as Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST.

Typical inspection sequence: City prerequisites first, then county permit inspections by project phase.

Lee County reinspection fee policy applies to the building permit inspection work.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Smiths Station Planning, Zoning, Storm Water, and Flood Management; Lee County Building Inspections for building permits before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Smiths Station Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Smiths Station, AL?
Smiths Station states all new construction requires the listed city approvals before Lee County will approve a building permit.
How much does a building permit cost in Smiths Station, AL?
The minimum permit fee is For the building permit itself, Lee County's minimum published fee is no fee up to $1,000 valuation unless an inspection is required, then $40 per inspection.. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees follow Lee County's valuation based schedule; city site-development approval fees were not clearly posted in reviewed sources.. Plan check fee: Lee County posts no in-house plan review fee, with outside review charged only when required..
How do I apply for a building permit in Smiths Station, AL?
1. Apply to the City of Smiths Station for City Site Plan (Zoning Certificate) approval. 2. Obtain the City Land Disturbance Permit. 3. Obtain Initial Storm Water Runoff Control approval. 4. After city approvals, file for the building permit with Lee County Building Inspections. 5. Complete county permit review, fee payment, and permit issuance. 6. Schedule inspections through Lee County during construction.
What work is exempt from building permits in Smiths Station, AL?
The following work is generally exempt: No city-specific exempt-work list was clearly posted in reviewed Smiths Station sources..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Smiths Station, AL?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Building inspections route through Lee County Building Inspections after permit issuance..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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