Butler County, Alabama Building Permit Guide

Butler County’s government is made up of the Commission, Revenue, Probate, EMA, Sheriff and Road Department offices; none issues building permits, and the county publishes no building fee or code for unincorporated land. The Road Department keeps the county Subdivision Regulations. In Greenville, the City Building Department issues all construction and trade permits under the 2021 International Building Code, at $0.15 per square foot for a house up to 5,000 sq ft and $0.24 per square foot for a commercial building of that size.

What requires a permit in Butler County?

Outside Greenville no local building permit is published, so the list below is Greenville’s. The City has an application for each of these:

In the unincorporated county, dividing land falls under the county Subdivision Regulations of May 2007, and a septic system needs a Health Department permit.

Who issues building permits in Butler County?

Three incorporated places are in the county: Greenville, Georgiana and part of McKenzie.

John Haire is Greenville’s Building Official (334-382-2647, ext. 257). The County Commission office at 202 Patsaliga Street is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Wednesday. The Road Department is at 108 Pettibone Road, Greenville (334-382-3232).

Greenville applications and county documents

Greenville posts its permit applications as separate forms on its Apply For A Permit page, and the Building Department takes them at City Hall or by email. The department also publishes:

• Ordinance 2020-04, the City’s building code ordinance
• The Zoning and Subdivision Regulations and the 2023 Zoning Map
• The Sign Ordinance
• A sworn statement form for anyone claiming an exemption from the state home builders licensure law

For the county, the only development document on the Road Department page is the Subdivision Regulations. Call the Road Department before splitting a parcel or building a new road.

Permit costs and fees in Butler County

Butler County publishes no building fees. Greenville’s Department of Community Development & Planning posts this schedule:

For example, a new 2,000 sq ft house is 2,000 × $0.15, which is $300, before trade permits. Greenville bases valuation fees on an estimate; if the finished cost is higher, the difference is due before the certificate of occupancy. The City may also add the state craft training fee and general contractor’s fees, depending on the scope of work.

Greenville trade permits and county septic approval

The county issues no trade permits. Greenville’s Building Department issues electric, mechanical and plumbing permits at these rates:

Septic permits for the whole county come from the Butler County Health Department, 350 Airport Road, Greenville (334-382-3154). Its environmental staff are based at 300 North College Street.

Application documents

Choose the Greenville application that fits the job; new homes, new commercial buildings, renovations and roofs each have their own form, and smaller jobs go on the Miscellaneous Permit. Fees for houses and commercial buildings are worked out from square footage, so the plans must show the floor area. Other work is priced on job cost, and you will be asked for the actual cost at completion.

A builder who claims an exemption from the state home builders licensure law files the sworn statement the City provides. Anyone moving a building must apply at least 24 hours before the planned start, with a route plan and the $10,000 bond.

How to apply in Butler County: 5 steps

Inspections in Butler County

Butler County lists no building inspector. Greenville’s Building Department inspects residential and commercial buildings, and its building inspector issues the certificate of occupancy once the final permit fee has been settled. A building being moved through Greenville must be escorted front and rear; if the applicant does not provide the escort, the City does, at $50 for the first hour and $30 for each additional hour.

Local details for Butler County projects

Greenville’s code: the City says it follows the current Alabama building codes and that its Building Official enforces the 2021 International Building Code, adopted as the state building code on July 1, 2022.

Nuisance properties: the same Greenville department condemns unsafe buildings and cites overgrown lots.

County Commission meetings: the commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month, with a workshop at 6:00 pm and the regular meeting at about 6:30 p.m.

Georgiana and McKenzie: neither publishes building permit rules, so phone Georgiana City Hall on (334) 376-2555 or McKenzie Town Hall on (334) 374-2311 before starting work there.

Outside the Greenville limits: Greenville’s code ties its building codes to the corporate limits and does not mention the police jurisdiction. Butler County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program under flood maps FEMA dates September 11, 2009, although the county website names no floodplain office; the Commission office on (334) 382-3612 is the place to ask about a site in a mapped flood zone.

Alabama building code

From 1 January 2027, under Act 2024-443, a residential home builder must build to the applicable residential code (the Alabama Residential Building Code, or the local code where one applies) even where no building department inspects the work. Since 1 October 2024 the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board adopts the residential code, and the Licensing Board for General Contractors the commercial energy code. Alabama’s codes and the 2027 change

Official sources — Butler County

• Butler County Commission
• Butler County Road Department
• City of Greenville Building Department
• City of Greenville permit applications
• City of Greenville permit fee schedule
• City of Greenville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5: buildings
• Butler County Health Department
• Alabama Department of Environmental Management: Butler County

Butler County building permit FAQs

Does Butler County issue building permits?

No county building department is listed and no county building permit is published. Inside Greenville, the City’s Building Department issues permits.

How much is a building permit for a house in Greenville, AL?

$0.15 per square foot up to 5,000 sq ft, so $300 for a 2,000 sq ft house, plus the trade permits.

Do I need a permit for a fence or deck in Greenville?

Yes. Fences, decks, porches, ramps, siding, windows and pools all go on the City’s Miscellaneous Permit, as does any structural work costing over $500.

Who is the Greenville Building Official?

John Haire, at 334-382-2647, ext. 257. The office is on the second floor of 119 E Commerce Street.

Where do I get a septic permit in Butler County?

From the Butler County Health Department in Greenville, 334-382-3154.

When is the Butler County Commission office open?

8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Wednesday, at 202 Patsaliga Street.

Simplify Butler County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Alabama. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Butler County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.