County Building Permits
Shelby County, AL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Shelby County, Alabama. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Primary permit authority for unincorporated Shelby County and county-routed zoning verification for some smaller municipalities including Chelsea.
- Department
- Shelby County Department of Development Services
- Address
- 1123 County Services Drive, Pelham, AL 35124
Application Process
- Confirm jurisdiction and whether the property is in unincorporated Shelby County or a county-routed municipality.
- Obtain zoning verification and foundation survey approval where required.
- Submit building permit application, plans, plot plan, and contractor information to Development Services.
- Pay permit fees after review.
- Receive permit and schedule inspections through the county office.
General Requirements
New construction, additions, manufactured home placement, new meters, and most structural work routed through county review.
Required Documents
- Permit application
- Plot plan
- Foundation survey
- Zoning verification
- Parcel ID
- Owner/applicant contact information
- Project description
- Contractor details
- Contractor requirements
- Alabama state trade and general contractor/home builder licensing applies where applicable; county forms expect contractor information.
Fees
- Payment note
- County zoning verification form accepts cash, check, money order, and credit/debit card payments.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Shelby County Department of Development Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Development Services (in-person)
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation/site related approval, trade rough-ins as applicable, final inspection.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Shelby County Municipalities
- 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 Shelby County Department of Development Services before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shelby County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Shelby County, AL?
- New construction, additions, manufactured home placement, new meters, and most structural work routed through county review.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Shelby County, AL?
- 1. Confirm jurisdiction and whether the property is in unincorporated Shelby County or a county-routed municipality. 2. Obtain zoning verification and foundation survey approval where required. 3. Submit building permit application, plans, plot plan, and contractor information to Development Services. 4. Pay permit fees after review. 5. Receive permit and schedule inspections through the county office.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Shelby County, AL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Development Services.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Shelby County (unincorporated area) 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.
Learn how Jaspector works