Decatur, AL - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Decatur corporate limits, including the Limestone County portion

Department

Building Department

Address

402 Lee Street NE, Decatur, AL 35601

Phone

Residential: (256) 341-4570; Commercial: (256) 341-4583

Email

bldginfo@decatur-al.gov , Building@Decatur-AL.gov

Website

https://www.cityofdecatural.com/business/permits-licenses/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Register in the CityView Portal if applying online.
2. Prepare required survey and plan documents. Decatur requires a plot plan stamped by an Alabama registered land surveyor to be submitted before permit issuance.
3. For new residential construction, submit framing plans and elevations for review and approval. For new commercial and industrial work, submit design documents prepared by registered design professionals where required.
4. Submit the permit application and supporting materials through CityView or the Building Department.
5. Complete city review for zoning, floodplain, code, and plan-review requirements. Plan review turnaround depends on review volume and submittal thoroughness.
6. Pay permit and issuance fees, complete inspections, and obtain final inspection approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.

Typical processing time: Plan review turn-around time depends on volume of reviews and thoroughness of submittal documents

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

Building permits required for building and construction work; city also routes building inspection requests, occupancy applications, sign permits, tent certification, and related matters through Building Department

Required Documents

• Plot plan stamped by Alabama registered land surveyor
• Residential framing plans and elevations
• Commercial and industrial design documents by registered design professionals where required
• Floodplain documentation where applicable
• Final survey for new construction CO issuance

Building code

Currently adopted building code for the City of Decatur (exact list not visible on reviewed page excerpt; consult Municode reference and adopted-code materials)

Contractor requirements

Decatur directs applicants to contractor licensing section of Building Department materials and requires registered design professionals for larger or specified commercial work

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$10 permit issuance fee added to construction permits; no single overall minimum permit fee clearly stated

Plan check fee

Applicable plan-review fees apply to commercial and sub-trade permits; exact amounts tied to city code and fee table references

Permit fee formula

Residential: governed by Decatur code sections 7-57.1 and 7-57.2; commercial: based on total contract value of work, plus $10 issuance fee, plus applicable plan-review fees; sub-trade: based on contract value per Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Fuel Gas table

Trade permit fee

See fee table for sub-trade permits

Payment note

CityView is the published online portal for registration and online permits

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Final building inspection required before certificate of occupancy; for new construction, final building inspection must pass and final survey must be submitted to Building Department

Additional Resources

• Building code: Currently adopted building code for the City of Decatur (exact list not visible on reviewed page excerpt; consult Municode reference and adopted-code materials)
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Construction Permit Fees
• Certificate of Occupancy
• Federal Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Controls
• License lookup guide: Alabama Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Alabama Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Alabama hub: Alabama Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Decatur Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Decatur, AL?

Building permits required for building and construction work; city also routes building inspection requests, occupancy applications, sign permits, tent certification, and related matters through Building Department

How much does a building permit cost in Decatur, AL?

The minimum permit fee is $10 permit issuance fee added to construction permits; no single overall minimum permit fee clearly stated. Fees are calculated as: Residential: governed by Decatur code sections 7-57.1 and 7-57.2; commercial: based on total contract value of work, plus $10 issuance fee, plus applicable plan-review fees; sub-trade: based on contract value per Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Fuel Gas table. Plan check fee: Applicable plan-review fees apply to commercial and sub-trade permits; exact amounts tied to city code and fee table references.

How do I apply for a building permit in Decatur, AL?

1. Register in the CityView Portal if applying online. 2. Prepare required survey and plan documents. Decatur requires a plot plan stamped by an Alabama registered land surveyor to be submitted before permit issuance. 3. For new residential construction, submit framing plans and elevations for review and approval. For new commercial and industrial work, submit design documents prepared by registered design professionals where required. 4. Submit the permit application and supporting materials through CityView or the Building Department. 5. Complete city review for zoning, floodplain, code, and plan-review requirements. Plan review turnaround depends on review volume and submittal thoroughness. 6. Pay permit and issuance fees, complete inspections, and obtain final inspection approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Decatur, AL?

Typical processing time is Plan review turn-around time depends on volume of reviews and thoroughness of submittal documents.

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