On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Mobile
Build Mobile facilitates plan reviews and construction permits for projects within the city, including building, trade, land-disturbance, tree, engineering, and related development permits.
Note: City-wide exempt-work items were not consolidated on the reviewed general permitting overview page. Tree trimming and removal permits are separately required for regulated trees. Verify exempt work against the applicable permit form, code, or Build Mobile staff before starting.
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.
Source: Build Mobile Department, Permitting and Predevelopment ↗
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine project scope and whether a predevelopment meeting, zoning clearance, historic review, or engineering review is needed through Build Mobile.
- 02 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.
- 03 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.
- 04 Build Mobile coordinates permitting, zoning, inspections, engineering, and other plan-review activities.
- 05 Respond to review comments or resubmittal requests and pay any review or issuance fees when approved.
- 06 Contact Permitting to begin final issuance if required by the checklist and then obtain the permit.
- 07 Schedule inspections through CSS and request the certificate of occupancy or final approvals at project completion.
Source: Build Mobile Department, Permitting and Predevelopment ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2023
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Project-specific minimums rather than one universal minimum across all permit categories.
02
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.
03
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.
04
Reinspection fee
Resubmittal fees are published on Build Mobile residential checklists; other penalties and special fees are set by the applicable fee ordinance.
Permit and zoning fees are paid through CSS or the city payment links after review and approval.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2023) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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.
Source: Build Mobile Department, Permitting and Predevelopment ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Mobile permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Mobile, AL? ▸
Building permit fees in Mobile, AL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Mobile, AL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Mobile, AL, follow these steps: 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.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Mobile, AL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Mobile, AL via: CSS Portal, Build Mobile Inspections.
last verified April 2026
source Build Mobile Department, Permitting and Predevelopment ↗
entry id permits/alabama/mobile/mobile-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Build Mobile Department, Permitting and Predevelopment before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.