Choctaw County, Alabama Building Permit Guide

Butler, the county seat, sets out its building rules in a published Code of Ordinances: it requires a building permit from the town building inspector before any construction or improvement to an existing structure, and adopts the 2015 International Codes and the 2014 National Electrical Code. For the six smaller towns and for rural land, the starting point is the town hall or the county courthouse. Across the whole county, a septic system needs a permit from the Choctaw County Health Department at 1001 South Mulberry Avenue, Butler.

What needs a permit in Choctaw County?

Butler’s permit rule dates from a 1974 ordinance and is written broadly: no one may begin proposed construction or other improvements without first filing an application with the building inspector and obtaining the permit.

Who issues permits in Choctaw County?

Butler’s building official is appointed by the Town Council and enforces all town laws on the construction, alteration, removal and demolition of buildings. The official may enter any building or premises at a reasonable time on showing identification.

Applications

• Butler building permit: an application filed with the building inspector at Town Hall. There is no online portal.
• Septic permit: the health department takes the state CEP-2 application to install or repair a small-flow system, which covers systems under 1,800 gallons a day or homes of 12 bedrooms or fewer.
• Butler business licence: handled for the town by Avenu Insights since January 1, 2016.

Electrical, plumbing, gas and utilities in Butler

Butler’s adopted codes cover each trade: the 2014 National Electrical Code and the 2015 International Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes. Where an adopted code conflicts with the town’s own Code, the more restrictive rule applies. A change to a building’s water, sewer or heating system counts as construction that needs the building permit.

Utility connections are separate from the permit. Water comes from the Butler Utilities Board at Town Hall (205-459-3795), gas from South Alabama Gas (205-459-4464), and electricity from Alabama Power (205-459-4440) or Black Warrior Electric (205-459-2232).

Steps for a project in Choctaw County

Local details for Choctaw County

Building in a flood hazard area in Butler: new construction and substantial improvements, including prefabricated and mobile homes, must be anchored against flotation, collapse and lateral movement and built with flood-resistant materials and methods. New or replacement water and sewer systems must be designed to keep floodwater out, and on-site waste disposal systems located to avoid contamination during flooding.

Flood zones outside Butler: FEMA’s Community Status Book shows Choctaw County itself in the National Flood Insurance Program, with flood maps dated September 3, 2010, so development in a mapped flood zone on rural land is regulated by the county as well.

No zoning chapter in Butler: the zoning chapter of the town code is reserved, so the building chapter and the subdivision chapter carry the town’s development rules.

What a Butler inspection means: the code states that an inspection or permit is not a warranty of the building’s condition or adequacy.

Courthouse offices: the Judge of Probate and Circuit Clerk are in the Choctaw County Courthouse at 117 South Mulberry Avenue, open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, on the same street as Butler Town Hall and the health department.

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 — Choctaw County

• Town of Butler
• Town of Butler Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6: buildings and construction
• Butler Utilities Board and utility providers
• Choctaw County Health Department contacts
• Alabama public-health onsite sewage forms
• Choctaw County public GIS website
• Choctaw County Courthouse (Alabama courts)

Choctaw County building permit FAQs

Do I need a building permit in Butler, Alabama?

Yes. The town code bars anyone from starting construction or improvements to an existing structure without a building permit from the building inspector.

Which building codes does Butler enforce?

The 2015 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing and Property Maintenance Codes and the 2014 National Electrical Code.

Where is the Butler permit office?

At Town Hall, 222 S. Mulberry Avenue, 205-459-3795, open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Who issues septic permits in Choctaw County?

The Choctaw County Health Department, 1001 South Mulberry Avenue, Butler, 659-213-4561.

Do Gilbertown, Pennington or Silas require building permits?

The published sources do not say. Each town hall can tell you whether it issues permits for work inside its limits: Gilbertown is (251) 843-2766, Pennington (205) 654-2688 and Silas (251) 542-9505.

Simplify Choctaw 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 Choctaw County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.