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

The minimum permit fee is Project-specific minimums rather than one universal minimum across all permit categories.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed; building and trade permits are generally valuation-based, while land-disturbance, plan-review, tree, and other development fees include flat review and issuance charges.. Plan check fee: Residential and land-development checklists show plan review fees, including a $51 first submittal review fee for certain residential flood-zone or over-4,000-square-foot reviews. Land-development review fees vary by submittal round and project type..

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

1. Determine project scope and whether a predevelopment meeting, zoning clearance, historic review, or engineering review is needed through Build Mobile. 2. Create a CSS account and start the permit or plan-review application online, or use Build Mobile forms and checklists for the correct permit type. 3. Upload plans, affidavits, valuation data, and project-specific documents through CSS; Mobile checklists require additional land-disturbance, flood-zone, or right-of-way materials when applicable. 4. Build Mobile coordinates permitting, zoning, inspections, engineering, and other plan-review activities. 5. Respond to review comments or resubmittal requests and pay any review or issuance fees when approved. 6. Contact Permitting to begin final issuance if required by the checklist and then obtain the permit. 7. Schedule inspections through CSS and request the certificate of occupancy or final approvals at project completion.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: CSS Portal, Build Mobile Inspections.

City Building Permits

Mobile, AL - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Mobile, Alabama. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Alabama Mobile County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Permitting within the City of Mobile. Build Mobile coordinates zoning, inspections, historic review, and engineering permitting through related divisions.

Department: Build Mobile Department, Permitting and Predevelopment
Address: Government Plaza Building, 205 Government Street, 3rd Floor, South Tower, Mobile, AL 36602
Phone: 251-208-7602 and 251-208-7023
Email: permitting@cityofmobile.org
Website: https://www.cityofmobile.org/departments/permitting/

Online Permit Portal

Open Tyler EnerGov Customer Self Service (CSS)

Platform: Tyler EnerGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine project scope and whether a predevelopment meeting, zoning clearance, historic review, or engineering review is needed through Build Mobile.
Create a CSS account and start the permit or plan-review application online, or use Build Mobile forms and checklists for the correct permit type.
Upload plans, affidavits, valuation data, and project-specific documents through CSS; Mobile checklists require additional land-disturbance, flood-zone, or right-of-way materials when applicable.
Build Mobile coordinates permitting, zoning, inspections, engineering, and other plan-review activities.
Respond to review comments or resubmittal requests and pay any review or issuance fees when approved.
Contact Permitting to begin final issuance if required by the checklist and then obtain the permit.
Schedule inspections through CSS and request the certificate of occupancy or final approvals at project completion.

Source: Build Mobile Department, Permitting and Predevelopment

General Requirements

Build Mobile facilitates plan reviews and construction permits for projects within the city, including building, trade, land-disturbance, tree, engineering, and related development permits.

Required Documents

Plans and site information
Valuation data
Contractor information
Flood-zone documents where applicable
Project-specific supporting materials

Building code: City of Mobile adopted the 2021 International Fire Code, International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Existing Building Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Property Maintenance Code, and 2020 National Electrical Code effective February 7, 2023.
Owner-builder: Not summarized on the reviewed general permitting page. Use the city residential checklist and permit forms for project-specific requirements.
Contractor requirements: Permit issuance requires review of licenses, bonds, and other appropriate information. Alabama state licensing and trade credential rules apply in addition to city review.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Project-specific minimums rather than one universal minimum across all permit categories.
Plan check fee: Residential and land-development checklists show plan review fees, including a $51 first submittal review fee for certain residential flood-zone or over-4,000-square-foot reviews. Land-development review fees vary by submittal round and project type.
Permit fee formula: Mixed; building and trade permits are generally valuation-based, while land-disturbance, plan-review, tree, and other development fees include flat review and issuance charges.
Reinspection fee: Resubmittal fees are published on Build Mobile residential checklists; other penalties and special fees are set by the applicable fee ordinance.
Payment note: Permit and zoning fees are paid through CSS or the city payment links after review and approval.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2023).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Build Mobile Department, Permitting and Predevelopment to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

CSS Portal (online)
Build Mobile Inspections (phone)

Inspection hours: General permitting help available at Government Plaza; inspection office contact published through Build Mobile.
Time windows: Specific inspection windows not stated on the reviewed general page.

Additional Resources

Building code: City of Mobile adopted the 2021 International Fire Code, International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Existing Building Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Property Maintenance Code, and 2020 National Electrical Code effective February 7, 2023.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Planning & Zoning
Forms and Applications
Contact Build Mobile
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 Build Mobile Department, Permitting and Predevelopment before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mobile Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Mobile, AL?: Build Mobile facilitates plan reviews and construction permits for projects within the city, including building, trade, land-disturbance, tree, engineering, and related development permits.
How much does a building permit cost in Mobile, AL?: The minimum permit fee is Project-specific minimums rather than one universal minimum across all permit categories.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed; building and trade permits are generally valuation-based, while land-disturbance, plan-review, tree, and other development fees include flat review and issuance charges.. Plan check fee: Residential and land-development checklists show plan review fees, including a $51 first submittal review fee for certain residential flood-zone or over-4,000-square-foot reviews. Land-development review fees vary by submittal round and project type..
How do I apply for a building permit in Mobile, AL?: 1. Determine project scope and whether a predevelopment meeting, zoning clearance, historic review, or engineering review is needed through Build Mobile. 2. Create a CSS account and start the permit or plan-review application online, or use Build Mobile forms and checklists for the correct permit type. 3. Upload plans, affidavits, valuation data, and project-specific documents through CSS; Mobile checklists require additional land-disturbance, flood-zone, or right-of-way materials when applicable. 4. Build Mobile coordinates permitting, zoning, inspections, engineering, and other plan-review activities. 5. Respond to review comments or resubmittal requests and pay any review or issuance fees when approved. 6. Contact Permitting to begin final issuance if required by the checklist and then obtain the permit. 7. Schedule inspections through CSS and request the certificate of occupancy or final approvals at project completion.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Mobile, AL?: Inspections can be scheduled via: CSS Portal, Build Mobile Inspections.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Mobile can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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Important: 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.

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