On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Mobile County
Mobile County says almost any residential or commercial work requires a permit in unincorporated Mobile County.
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
- Exempt Painting and redecorating
- Exempt Changing countertops
- Exempt Installing new cabinetry
- Exempt Replacing light fixtures or ceiling fans where no rewiring is required
- Exempt Replacing equipment that requires no rewiring
- Exempt Erecting a fence 7 feet or less in height
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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the property is in unincorporated Mobile County and not inside a municipality with its own building department.
- 02 Download the correct permit request and acknowledgement forms from the county Inspection Services downloads page.
- 03 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.
- 04 County staff review the permit request for code compliance, floodplain issues, contractor credentials, and completeness.
- 05 Address comments or upload revised plans if required.
- 06 Pay fees after approval and obtain the issued permit before work starts.
- 07 Request inspections through Inspection Services and keep the permit and approved plans available on site.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Mobile County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
The published fee schedule shows a $50 minimum permit fee for many permit categories.
02
Plan check fee
Included in the county fee schedule by permit category; exact amount varies by permit type.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed schedule; building permits are valuation-based and several trade or miscellaneous permits are flat-fee or unit-based.
04
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.
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Mobile County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Mobile County, AL? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Mobile County, AL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Mobile County, AL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Mobile County, AL, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Mobile County, AL? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Mobile County, AL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Mobile County, AL via: Through Mobile County Inspection Services; the county publishes inspection record forms and departmental phone and email.
last verified April 2026
source Mobile County Inspection Services ↗
entry id permits/alabama/mobile-al/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Mobile County Inspection Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.