Decatur, AL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building Department

Street address

402 Lee Street NE, Decatur, AL 35601

Phone

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

bldginfo@decatur-al.gov

Coverage

City of Decatur corporate limits, including the Limestone County portion

Online portal

CityView Portal

CityView

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Decatur

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

§ 03

Application process

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

01

Register in the CityView Portal if applying online.
02

Prepare required survey and plan documents. Decatur requires a plot plan stamped by an Alabama registered land surveyor to be submitted before permit issuance.
03

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.
04

Submit the permit application and supporting materials through CityView or the Building Department.
05

Complete city review for zoning, floodplain, code, and plan-review requirements. Plan review turnaround depends on review volume and submittal thoroughness.
06

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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Decatur building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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

CityView is the published online portal for registration and online permits

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Typical 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

Source: Building Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Decatur permits

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

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

Building permit fees in Decatur, AL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.

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

To apply for a building permit in Decatur, AL, follow these steps: 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.

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

Building permit processing times in Decatur, AL typically run Plan review turn-around time depends on volume of reviews and thoroughness of submittal documents. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

last verified April 2026 source Building Department ↗ entry id permits/alabama/limestone/decatur

Report a correction

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

City of Decatur

Other jurisdictions in Limestone County.