Covington County’s government does not run a building department, and its website publishes no county building permit. Permits are issued by the cities: in Andalusia by the Planning & Development department at 505 East Three Notch Street (334-222-3312), and in Opp by the City under an ordinance that makes it unlawful to build, plumb or wire without one. Andalusia’s fee starts at $15 for the first $1,000 of value plus $5 per additional $1,000; Opp’s starts at $15 plus $4.50 per additional $1,000, with lower rates per thousand above $50,000.
What needs a permit in Covington County?
Andalusia permit types
- Building permit, residential
- Building permit, commercial
- Electrical permit
- Plumbing permit
- Mechanical permit
- Sign permit
- Swimming pool permit
- Moving permit
Opp: city building permit before
- Construction of any building
- Plumbing of a building, including gas work
- Electrical wiring of a building
- Re-plumbing or re-wiring a building
Andalusia requires its permits for construction work done within the city limits. Outside the municipalities, the county lists no office that permits or inspects buildings.
Who issues building permits, place by place
Covington County has 14 incorporated places. Three cities enforce building codes; most of the small towns have no zoning and no code enforcement.
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Get a free quote →| Place | Building permits | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Covington County | No county permit is published. The county has no building, planning or zoning department, and the regional hazard mitigation plan records no county zoning ordinance and no code enforcement. | Commission Office, 334-428-2610 |
| Andalusia | City Planning & Development: residential and commercial building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sign, swimming pool and moving permits. | 505 East Three Notch Street, 334-222-3312 |
| Opp | The City; a building permit is required before construction, plumbing (including gas) or electrical wiring. Opp’s code gives its police and sanitary regulations force in the police jurisdiction, 1.5 miles beyond the limits, as well as in the city. | City Planner, 334-498-0118; City Hall, 334-493-4572 |
| Florala | The plan lists Florala among the cities that practice building code enforcement; the City has a Planning and Zoning Commission and a zoning map but posts no permit procedure. | City Hall, 22975 Seventh Avenue, 334-858-3612 |
| River Falls | The plan lists a zoning ordinance but no code enforcement. The town accepts paper applications at Town Hall. | River Falls Town Hall, 334-222-3510 |
| Babbie, Carolina, Gantt, Heath, Horn Hill, Libertyville, Lockhart, Red Level and Sanford | The plan lists no zoning ordinance and no code enforcement in any of these nine towns. | Babbie 334-504-1407; Gantt 334-388-4786; Heath 334-222-2289; Horn Hill, 18692 Horn Hill Road, 334-764-2760; Lockhart 334-858-6744; Red Level 334-469-5351; Sanford 334-222-0380 |
| Onycha | The published sources do not say. | Onycha Town Hall, 25660 Gift Shop Road, 334-493-7038 |
The plan referred to is the Southeast Alabama Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (2020 update), published by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.
How each city takes applications
Andalusia. The Planning and Development page links an online Permit Application alongside the permit types, and the department also handles business licences, code enforcement and zoning. The city code creates the office of building inspector, who receives applications, issues permits and certificates and inspects the work.
Opp. Permits and inspections are handled by the City’s building inspector; the Planning and Economic Development page gives the City Planner’s number and links the 2021 zoning code. The property owner still needs the building or zoning permit for a delivered accessory building, though pre-fab structures of 12 by 24 feet and smaller are exempt from the permit fee.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Florala and River Falls. Neither posts a building permit form. Florala publishes business licence forms and a zoning map, and River Falls says paper applications can be filed at Town Hall.
Permit costs in Covington County
Andalusia’s building permit fees are set by Section 5-9 of the city code.
| Construction value | Andalusia permit fee |
|---|---|
| $1,000 or less | No fee unless an inspection is required; then $15 per inspection plus a $2.50 issue fee |
| $1,000 to $50,000 | $15 for the first $1,000, plus $5 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,000 to $100,000 | $260 for the first $50,000, plus $4 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,000 to $500,000 | $460 for the first $100,000, plus $3 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,000 and up | $1,660 for the first $500,000, plus $2 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Plan checking (where plans are required and the value exceeds $1,000) | 25% of the building permit fee |
| Moving a building or structure | $100, plus utility department costs |
A $200,000 house in Andalusia therefore pays $460 plus $3 for each of the 100 thousands above $100,000, or $760, and the plan-checking fee adds $190. Fees double when work starts before the permit.
Opp’s schedule is Section 4-3 of its city code, as amended in January 2013. The City’s web page still quotes only the first band, $15 plus $4.50 per additional $1,000; the code carries lower rates above $50,000.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →| Total valuation of work | Opp permit fee |
|---|---|
| $1,000 or less | No fee unless an inspection is required; then $15 per inspection |
| $1,000.01 to $50,000 | $15 for the first $1,000, plus $4.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,000.01 to $100,000 | $250 for the first $50,000, plus $3.75 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,000.01 to $250,000 | $450 for the first $100,000, plus $3 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $250,000.01 to $500,000 | $650 for the first $250,000, plus $2.25 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $500,000.01 and up | $850 for the first $500,000, plus $1.50 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Electrical service, 200 amp to 1,000 amp | $30 to $250 by amperage, plus a $20 inspection charge |
The same $200,000 house in Opp pays $450 plus $3 for each of the 100 thousands above $100,000, or $750. Opp doubles its fees when work starts before the permit and adds a fine of $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and septic work
Andalusia issues separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, and its code allows no wiring alteration or new wiring without a written permit issued in the name of a state licensed electrician. Opp folds plumbing, gas and electrical work into its building permit requirement.
Septic permits anywhere in the county come from the Covington County Health Department’s Environmental Services office, 23989 Alabama Highway 55, Andalusia (334-222-1175).
Rather not deal with the Covington County building department?
Get a free quote →How to apply: 5 steps
Check whether the site is inside Andalusia, Opp, Florala or one of the 11 towns.
Pick the permit type on the Planning and Development page, or call 334-222-3312.
Call the City Planner on 334-498-0118 with the contract price, which sets the fee.
Florala City Hall is at 22975 Seventh Avenue (334-858-3612).
Apply to the Health Department’s Environmental Services office; the county publishes no building permit application.
Local details for Covington County projects
Building code in Andalusia: the city adopted the 2012 International Building Code, with local amendments, by Ordinance 2017-02.
Building code in Opp: the city code adopts the 2012 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Existing Building and Property Maintenance Codes and the National Electrical Code.
Just outside Opp: the code’s permit section speaks of work within the city, but its general rule extends police and sanitary regulations to the police jurisdiction, so call the City Planner on 334-498-0118 before building within 1.5 miles of the limits.
Zoning: Andalusia is divided into residential (R-1 to R-3), business (B-1 to B-3), industrial (M-1, M-2) and agricultural (AG-1) districts, and every zoning change starts with its Planning Commission. Opp, Florala and River Falls also have zoning; the county does not.
Contractor’s privilege licence: the county Probate Office issues the contractor’s privilege licence, priced from $15 for annual gross contracts of $5,000 to $10,000 up to $375 for gross contracts over $200,000 (334-428-2510).
Flood maps: Covington County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program, with maps effective November 4, 2009.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Roads and drainage: the County Engineer & Road Department is at 201 Hillcrest Drive, Andalusia (334-428-2620), open 6:30 am to 5:00 pm.
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 for Covington County
- Covington County departments
- Covington County Engineer & Road Department
- Covington County municipalities
- Covington County business licences (Probate)
- City of Andalusia Planning & Development
- Andalusia Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5 (buildings)
- City of Opp Planning and Economic Development
- Opp Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4 (permits and fees)
- City of Florala
- Covington County Health Department contacts
- Alabama EMA county mitigation plans (Division B plan)
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Covington County building permit FAQs
Does Covington County issue building permits?
The county has no building, planning or zoning department and publishes no building permit. Inside Andalusia, Opp and Florala the city is the permitting authority.
How much is a building permit in Andalusia?
$15 for the first $1,000 of value plus $5 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000, with lower rates per thousand above that. A $200,000 house is $760, plus a 25% plan-checking fee of $190.
How much is a building permit in Opp?
$15 for the first $1,000 plus $4.50 for each additional $1,000 up to $50,000, then lower rates per thousand; a $200,000 house is $750. Electrical permits start at $30 for a 200 amp service plus a $20 inspection charge.
Do I need a permit for a swimming pool or a sign in Andalusia?
Yes. Andalusia lists both a swimming pool permit and a sign permit among its permit types.
Where do I apply in Andalusia?
Through the online Permit Application on the Planning and Development page, or at 505 East Three Notch Street, 334-222-3312.
Who permits septic systems in Covington County?
The Covington County Health Department, 23989 Alabama Highway 55, Andalusia, 334-222-1175.
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More Alabama permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Covington County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.