Saraland, AL - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Saraland's Building Department issues permits and performs inspections within the city and also oversees planning, zoning, variances, and special use exceptions. The planning jurisdiction extends 1.5 miles beyond city limits for planning matters, but building-permit authority should be confirmed with the city for each site.

Department

Building Department

Address

933 Saraland Blvd. South, Saraland, AL 36571

Phone

251-679-5502

Email

mblack@saraland.org , bschwandner@saraland.org , ltarver@saraland.org , dhilliard@saraland.org , buildingpermit@saraland.org

Website

https://saraland.org/government/building/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project is in Saraland's building jurisdiction and identify the needed permit type.
2. Download or complete the applicable building, trade, land-disturbance, sign, right-of-way, tree, or six-month investigation permit materials.
3. Submit the permit form and supporting plans to the Building Department, either through the city website permit pages or directly with the department.
4. For grading or disturbance work, include the required grading, drainage, erosion-control, and engineering calculations.
5. City staff review the application for code, zoning, floodplain, and development compliance.
6. Pay the required fees and obtain the permit before beginning work.
7. Request the required inspections and complete final approvals or certificate-of-occupancy steps where applicable.

Typical processing time: Saraland's zoning and development ordinance gives the Building Official 30 days to rule on complete building permit applications unless extended by agreement.

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

Saraland states permits are issued for demolition, new construction, renovation, land disturbance, building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sign, right-of-way, and tree-related work.

Required Documents

• Permit application, project valuation, plans, and permit-specific submittals. Land-disturbance applications require a site grading and drainage plan and erosion-control information.

Permit validity

Individual permit pages show some permits, such as tree permits, valid for 6 months. The city's business-licenses and permits page states permits other than rental licenses are valid for 6 months and may be extended once for free, with a second extension for a $75 fee.

Building code

Effective July 2019, Saraland lists 2014 NEC, 2015 IPMC, 2015 IFC, 2015 IBC, 2015 IMC, 2015 IPC, 2015 IRC, and 2015 IEBC.

Owner-builder

Not clearly summarized on the reviewed main building page.

Contractor requirements

Applicants should comply with Alabama state licensing and any local business-license requirements. Permit forms and right-of-way permits request contractor city business license information where applicable.

Fees

Reinspection fee

The business-licenses and permits page states a second permit extension costs $75 after the free first extension.

Payment note

The city collects permit information through online forms or the department directly; confirm payment method with the Building Department before filing.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Confirm exemptions directly with the Building Department.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Through the Building Department and the project-specific permit process (contact)

Inspection hours

Building Department office hours listed on the reviewed page are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a notice that staffing hours were shifting to 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical inspections are performed as applicable to the permit.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Effective July 2019, Saraland lists 2014 NEC, 2015 IPMC, 2015 IFC, 2015 IBC, 2015 IMC, 2015 IPC, 2015 IRC, and 2015 IEBC.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Other useful links
• Other useful links
• Other useful links
• License lookup guide: Alabama Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Alabama Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Alabama hub: Alabama Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Saraland Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Saraland, AL?

Saraland states permits are issued for demolition, new construction, renovation, land disturbance, building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sign, right-of-way, and tree-related work.

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

1. Confirm the project is in Saraland's building jurisdiction and identify the needed permit type. 2. Download or complete the applicable building, trade, land-disturbance, sign, right-of-way, tree, or six-month investigation permit materials. 3. Submit the permit form and supporting plans to the Building Department, either through the city website permit pages or directly with the department. 4. For grading or disturbance work, include the required grading, drainage, erosion-control, and engineering calculations. 5. City staff review the application for code, zoning, floodplain, and development compliance. 6. Pay the required fees and obtain the permit before beginning work. 7. Request the required inspections and complete final approvals or certificate-of-occupancy steps where applicable.

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

Typical processing time is Saraland's zoning and development ordinance gives the Building Official 30 days to rule on complete building permit applications unless extended by agreement..

What work is exempt from building permits in Saraland, AL?

The following work is generally exempt: Confirm exemptions directly with the Building Department..

How do I schedule a building inspection in Saraland, AL?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Through the Building Department and the project-specific permit process.

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