Franklin County’s list of departments has no building or inspections office. The county rules that reach a rural building site are run by the Highway Department / County Engineer ((256) 332-8434): a Floodplain Development Permit before any development in a mapped flood hazard area, and a $25 Permit to Develop for subdivisions. Inside Russellville, most construction needs a building permit from the Building, Licensing, and Zoning Department at City Hall, and Phil Campbell issues building permits at its Town Hall.
What requires a permit in Franklin County?
County, outside the towns
- Floodplain Development Permit: required before any man-made change to land in a Special Flood Hazard Area, including buildings and other structures, filling, grading, paving, excavation, dredging, mining, drilling and storage of equipment or materials
- Permit to Develop: required before a subdivision is developed or its lots are offered for sale
- Septic approval from the Franklin County Health Department
Russellville
- Most construction projects need a building permit
- New construction and many kinds of remodeling are inspected at several phases, with separate attention to electrical work and plumbing
- Zoning limits what can be built where, and Woodridge, Briarleigh, Hester Heights and Woodland Hills also have covenants and restrictions the City can provide details of
Who issues building permits in each Franklin County town?
The County names five incorporated municipalities: Hodges, Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Russellville and Vina. The Northwest Alabama hazard mitigation plan for 2021 to 2026, published by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, names Russellville as the only one of them practicing building code enforcement.
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Get a free quote →| Place | Who issues building permits | Office and phone |
|---|---|---|
| Russellville | City of Russellville Building, Licensing, and Zoning Department. The zoning ordinance requires a permit from the Building Inspector for any building, moving, alteration or repair, apart from repairs of $1,000 or less that do not change the character of the structure, painting and wallpapering | City Hall, 304 N Jackson Ave, Russellville, AL 35653 · 256-332-6060 |
| Phil Campbell | Town of Phil Campbell; building permits are a listed City Hall service | 580 Railroad Street, Phil Campbell, AL 35581 · 205-993-5313 |
| Red Bay | The published sources do not say; the City has a Zoning Ordinance and supplies its ordinances and procedures on request at City Hall, where research and copy fees may apply | 203 4th Ave SE, Red Bay, AL 35582 · (256) 356-4473; Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Hodges | The published sources do not say; ask the town hall | Town of Hodges · 205-935-3445 |
| Vina | The published sources do not say; ask the town hall | 7141 Highway 19, Vina, AL 35593 · (256) 356-4996 |
| Unincorporated county | No county building permit is listed; floodplain permits and subdivision approvals from the County Engineer | Highway Department, 900 Park Blvd. NE, Russellville · (256) 332-8434 |
Jason Baggett, PE, is the County Engineer. The County Commission office is at 410 Jackson Avenue North, Russellville ((256) 332-8850), open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
County regulations and city applications
- Franklin County Floodplain Development Ordinance, dated January 20, 2026 and prepared by the County Engineer. It appears in the Commission’s minutes of that date, when the Commission authorized the County Engineer to revise and update the ordinance. The Highway Department / County Engineer is its Floodplain Administrator, and applications are made on forms that office supplies.
- Franklin County Subdivision Regulations, adopted by Resolution 2022-01-18 and linked from the Highway Department’s entry on the County’s Departments page.
- City of Russellville Permit Application and Zoning Map, on the City’s Building, Licensing, and Zoning page, with the City’s code on Municode.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →County fees in Franklin County
The County’s published development fees are in Section 1-3 of the Subdivision Regulations.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Permit to Develop | $25 |
| Minor subdivision | $500 plus $25 per lot or site |
| Major subdivision | $500 plus $50 per lot or site, plus $0.25 per linear foot of new road |
| Selling, offering, transferring or leasing a lot in breach of the regulations | Fine of $1,000 per lot |
For example, a major subdivision of 10 lots with 1,000 linear feet of new road pays $25 + $500 + $500 + $250 = $1,275, and the developer also covers any inspection and testing costs the County incurs.
Russellville’s building permit fees are in Section 10-13 of its Code of Ordinances.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New house or residential addition | $3 per $1,000 of valuation. Heated area is valued from the International Code Council’s building valuation data and unheated area (carports, porches, garages, basements) at $20 per square foot |
| New commercial work, commercial additions, commercial and residential renovations, HVAC, plumbing and electrical permits | $5 per $1,000 of the actual job cost |
| Application and issue fees | $20 plus $5, added to every permit |
| Commercial plan review | Half the building permit fee, up to $400 |
| Electrical, plumbing and gas inspections | $10 each, on top of the permit fee |
| Demolition | $50 plus $0.05 per 1,000 cubic feet |
| Non-residential construction | A further $1 per $1,000 of permitted work |
| Starting without a permit | Permit fee doubled; the City may also stop the work and have utilities disconnected |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A $100,000 renovation in Russellville therefore pays 100 × $5 = $500, plus the $25 in application and issue fees. Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Hodges and Vina publish no fee table.
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gas permits in Franklin County
The County lists no trade permits. In Russellville, the Building, Licensing, and Zoning Department inspects new construction and remodeling at several phases, including the electrical work and the plumbing; HVAC, plumbing and electrical permits are charged at $5 per $1,000 of job cost, with a $10 fee for each electrical, plumbing or gas inspection. In a county flood hazard area, new and replacement water supply and sanitary sewage systems must be designed to keep flood water out, and an onsite waste disposal system must be placed where flooding will not damage it or spread contamination.
Documents for a county floodplain permit
The ordinance asks for plans in duplicate, drawn to scale, and a plot plan showing:
- Base flood elevations where they are provided
- The boundary of the Special Flood Hazard Area and any floodway, as drawn on the flood map
- The flood zone of the development area
- The elevation of the lowest floor, including a basement, of every proposed structure
- The elevation to which any non-residential structure will be flood-proofed, with a design certification from an Alabama-licensed engineer or architect
- A foundation plan, drawn to scale, showing how the building will be elevated
A subdivision application goes to the County Engineer at least 30 days ahead with a Health Department letter, and a plat with septic lots carries a Certificate of Approval by the Franklin County Health Department.
Rather not deal with the Franklin County building department?
Get a free quote →How to get approvals in Franklin County: 6 steps
Work out whether the site is in Russellville, Red Bay, Phil Campbell, Hodges or Vina, or in the unincorporated county.
Check the zoning map and any subdivision covenants, then file the City’s Permit Application at City Hall, 304 N Jackson Ave.
Building permits are handled at 580 Railroad Street; in Red Bay, Hodges and Vina, phone the city or town hall.
If the site touches a Special Flood Hazard Area, apply to the County Engineer for a Floodplain Development Permit before any grading or construction.
Call 256-332-2700 and ask for the Environmental Office.
Apply for plat approval and the $25 Permit to Develop; work must begin within 1 year of that permit.
Inspections
Russellville inspects permitted work in phases. For county floodplain permits, the Highway Department / County Engineer enforces the ordinance as Floodplain Administrator. Subdivision roads are inspected by the County, which recovers its inspection and testing costs from the developer.
Local details that matter in Franklin County
One foot above base flood: where base flood elevation data exists, the lowest floor of new construction and substantial improvements, basement included, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. That applies to manufactured homes too.
Buildings that straddle the line: a new building only partly inside a flood hazard area must meet the flood standards for the whole structure.
Flood maps: the ordinance adopts the flood hazard areas in the County’s Flood Insurance Study dated September 29, 2010, with its Flood Insurance Rate Maps and later revisions. FEMA’s community status list shows a new map date of January 22, 2027 for the county and for Russellville.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Russellville’s code editions: the City’s codified building chapter still names the 2003 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas and Fire Codes and the 2002 National Electric Code, adopted in June 2004. A Russellville permit lapses if work has not started within 6 months.
Subdivision citations: the County Engineer, or a licensed inspector appointed by the Commission, can issue citations under the Subdivision Regulations.
Russellville covenants: ask the City about covenants and restrictions before building in Woodridge, Briarleigh, Hester Heights or Woodland Hills.
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 Franklin County resources
- Franklin County departments and contacts
- Franklin County Commission minutes, January 20, 2026 (Floodplain Development Ordinance)
- Franklin County Subdivision Regulations (2022)
- Franklin County Health Department (ADPH)
- City of Russellville Building, Licensing, and Zoning
- Town of Phil Campbell City Hall
- City of Red Bay ordinances and plans
- Russellville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10 (codes and permit fees)
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Franklin County building permit FAQs
Does Franklin County, Alabama issue building permits?
The County lists no building department or building permit. Its Highway Department / County Engineer issues Floodplain Development Permits and approves subdivisions.
Who issues building permits in Russellville?
The City’s Building, Licensing, and Zoning Department at City Hall, 304 N Jackson Ave, 256-332-6060. The City says most construction projects require a permit.
How much is a building permit in Russellville?
A new house pays $3 per $1,000 of valuation and renovations, commercial work and trade permits pay $5 per $1,000 of job cost, each with a $20 application fee and a $5 issue fee.
Do I need a permit to build in a flood zone in Franklin County?
Yes. A Floodplain Development Permit from the County Engineer is required before any development in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and the lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
Who handles septic permits?
The Franklin County Health Department, 801 Highway 48, Russellville, 256-332-2700. Ask for the Environmental Office.
What does it cost to subdivide land in the county?
$25 for the Permit to Develop, plus $500 and $25 per lot for a minor subdivision, or $500, $50 per lot and $0.25 per linear foot of new road for a major one.
Where do I get a building permit in Phil Campbell?
At Town Hall, 580 Railroad Street, 205-993-5313, where building permits are one of the listed services.
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This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Franklin County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.