County Building Permits
Mobile County, AL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Mobile County, Alabama. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Alabama Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
County inspection and building permitting applies in unincorporated Mobile County. Mobile County states the department regulates construction in unincorporated Mobile County, while incorporated cities and towns run separate municipal routing.
- Department
- Mobile County Inspection Services
- Address
- 1110 Schillinger Road N., Mobile, AL 36608
- Phone
- 251-574-3507
Online Permit Portal
Application Process
- Confirm the property is in unincorporated Mobile County and not inside a municipality with its own building department.
- Download the correct permit request and acknowledgement forms from the county Inspection Services downloads page.
- Submit the application package, plans, and supporting documents to Inspection Services; county permit pages state Electronic Plan Review is now used for residential and commercial permitting.
- County staff review the permit request for code compliance, floodplain issues, contractor credentials, and completeness.
- Address comments or upload revised plans if required.
- Pay fees after approval and obtain the issued permit before work starts.
- Request inspections through Inspection Services and keep the permit and approved plans available on site.
General Requirements
Mobile County says almost any residential or commercial work requires a permit in unincorporated Mobile County.
Required Documents
- Permit request form, supporting plans, acknowledgement forms, contractor information, and project-specific items such as septic or floodplain materials where applicable.
- Building code
- County adopted its current building codes effective December 31, 2019 and publishes the Mobile County Building Code and 2018 building code summary on the downloads page.
- Owner-builder
- County publishes Important Homeowner Information and a Homeowner's Contractor List on its downloads page; homeowners should confirm owner-builder limitations directly with Inspection Services.
- Contractor requirements
- County directs applicants to contact Inspection Services before beginning work and publishes New Contractor Info and trade acknowledgement forms; Alabama state contractor, home builder, and trade licensing requirements still apply.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- The published fee schedule shows a $50 minimum permit fee for many permit categories.
- Plan check fee
- Included in the county fee schedule by permit category; exact amount varies by permit type.
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed schedule; building permits are valuation-based and several trade or miscellaneous permits are flat-fee or unit-based.
- Reinspection fee
- Reinspection fee is published on the county fee schedule; exact amount depends on the current adopted schedule. Additional fees can apply for permit renewals or special inspections.
- Payment note
- Pay only after county review and approval. Right-of-way permits route through the county OpenGov portal; other permit payments are handled through Inspection Services.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Painting and redecorating
- Changing countertops
- Installing new cabinetry
- Replacing light fixtures or ceiling fans where no rewiring is required
- Replacing equipment that requires no rewiring
- Erecting a fence 7 feet or less in height
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Through Mobile County Inspection Services; the county publishes inspection record forms and departmental phone and email (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Department hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Reinspection fees are listed on the county fee schedule.
Additional Resources
- Building code: County adopted its current building codes effective December 31, 2019 and publishes the Mobile County Building Code and 2018 building code summary on the downloads page.
- 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
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Mobile County Inspection Services before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mobile County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Mobile County, AL?
- Mobile County says almost any residential or commercial work requires a permit in unincorporated Mobile County.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Mobile County, AL?
- The minimum permit fee is The published fee schedule shows a $50 minimum permit fee for many permit categories.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule; building permits are valuation-based and several trade or miscellaneous permits are flat-fee or unit-based.. Plan check fee: Included in the county fee schedule by permit category; exact amount varies by permit type..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Mobile County, AL?
- 1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Mobile County and not inside a municipality with its own building department. 2. Download the correct permit request and acknowledgement forms from the county Inspection Services downloads page. 3. Submit the application package, plans, and supporting documents to Inspection Services; county permit pages state Electronic Plan Review is now used for residential and commercial permitting. 4. County staff review the permit request for code compliance, floodplain issues, contractor credentials, and completeness. 5. Address comments or upload revised plans if required. 6. Pay fees after approval and obtain the issued permit before work starts. 7. Request inspections through Inspection Services and keep the permit and approved plans available on site.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Mobile County, AL?
- The following work is generally exempt: Painting and redecorating; Changing countertops; Installing new cabinetry; Replacing light fixtures or ceiling fans where no rewiring is required; Replacing equipment that requires no rewiring; Erecting a fence 7 feet or less in height.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Mobile County, AL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Through Mobile County Inspection Services; the county publishes inspection record forms and departmental phone and email.
Need help with your project?
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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.