Helena, Alabama Building Permit Guide

Inside Helena’s city limits, permits are approved by the Building Official in the Department of Building, Planning & Community Development at City Hall, 10 Jack Gray Way. The City uses a one-page paper Building Permit form. Under Ordinance 881-2021 a commercial permit costs $1,000 plus 0.85% of the construction valuation, a new house pays a $1,000 base fee plus a valuation-based fee, and a new single-family home also pays a $3,541 impact fee before the permit is issued.

What requires a building permit in Helena?

Helena’s zoning ordinance makes it unlawful to start earthwork, build or move any building or other structure, put up a sign, or alter or repair a structure until the Building Official has issued a permit. Accessory structures are named in that rule. The fee ordinance then carves out ordinary upkeep.

An accessory structure may not be built or moved onto a lot until construction of the main building has started. Fences are limited to 3 feet high in a front yard and 6½ feet in a side or rear yard, and nothing that blocks visibility may stand within 25 feet of a street intersection in a residential district.

Who issues permits in Helena?

The Department of Building, Planning & Community Development handles permitting, inspections, development and zoning. Keith Martin is the Building Official for residential and commercial work, and the ordinance has permits issued by the Building Official or the City Clerk. Ordinance 881-2021 applies to buildings within the corporate limits; the city has a Shelby County portion and a Jefferson County portion, and the same City office permits both.

Helena permit forms

The City posts three construction forms on its Licenses & Permits page:

• Building Permit: one form for a new building, addition, alteration, repair or replacement, wrecking, moving, or a foundation-only permit. It asks for the electrical, plumbing and heating/AC costs and the names of those subcontractors, the type of sewage disposal with the Health Department permit number for a septic tank, and whether the site is in a flood plain.
• Grading and Clearing Permit: issued under Ordinance 597-02. The inspection record is posted at the front of the lot, and the signed-off record has to be brought back to City Hall before a building permit for the same lot is issued.
• Temp Sign-Banner Permit for temporary signs.

Builders and developers also need a City business licence; licence questions go to (205) 663-2161 ext. 116.

Permit costs and fees in Helena

Building and development fees come from Ordinance 881-2021, adopted April 26, 2021 and in effect since May 1, 2021. Impact fees come from Ordinance 889-2022, adopted April 25, 2022.

For example, a commercial building valued at $500,000 pays $1,000 plus $4,250 (0.85%), and the $25 issuance fee, a total of $5,275 before the state construction industry craft training (CICT) fee and impact fees.

The Building Department collects the impact fee before the building permit is issued, and the fee can never be more than 1% of the estimated fair market value of the finished development. If work starts before the permit, the ordinance doubles the fees, and each further failure adds $100.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas work

Helena adopted the 2011 National Electrical Code and the 2012 International Mechanical, Plumbing and Fuel Gas Codes. Residential mechanical, gas and plumbing permits are charged from the Appendix L table and commercial ones at 0.85% of the cost of the work. The Building Permit form itself collects the electrical, plumbing and heating/AC cost figures and the names of the electrician, plumber and HVAC contractor.

The Building Official and the Fire Code Official share enforcement of the ordinance, and the City adopted the 2012 International Fire Code with the 2013 NFPA codes as excepted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Open burning needs a burn permit: $25 residential, $50 commercial.

Application documents

One copy of the approved drawing stays with the Building Official and the duplicate is kept with the permit at the site throughout construction. The Shelby County Health Department’s environmental office is on 205-620-1650.

How to apply: 6-step Helena process

Inspections and the Certificate of Occupancy

Helena’s Building Inspector covers residential and commercial work. If an inspector arrives and the work is not substantially complete or not ready, a re-inspection fee of $25 per trade must be paid before the re-inspection is scheduled. At the final inspection, one re-inspection is free; after that the City charges $25 for each item still uncorrected.

No building may be used or occupied until the Building Official issues a Certificate of Occupancy. The zoning ordinance gives the Building Official three working days from the owner’s notice that the building is ready to make the final inspection and either issue the certificate or refuse it in writing with reasons. Appeals of zoning decisions go to the Board of Adjustment, and appeals of building or fire code decisions are heard by the City Council.

Local Helena details that matter

Temporary suspension on some commercial uses: Ordinance 1043-2026 suspends, for 180 days from its effective date, building permit and site plan applications for new or expanded gas stations, auto parts stores, mechanic shops, automobile or manufactured home dealerships and data centers within 500 feet of the centerline of Highways 17, 52 (except the stretch shared with Highway 261), 58 and 95.

Two expiry rules: under the fee ordinance a permit lapses when work stops for 90 days, or after 6 months if the work is abandoned, with no refund. Under the zoning ordinance a permit also expires if nothing has been built above the foundation within 6 months of issue, and it can be renewed only once.

Storm water: Helena runs an MS4 storm water program and posts its Storm Water Management Program Plan and a builder’s guide to low-impact development on the department page.

Impact fee disputes: an owner can appeal an impact fee to the Impact Fee Review Committee and then to the City Council.

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 Helena permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Helena Department of Building, Planning & Community Development
• Helena licenses and permits forms
• City of Helena Building Permit form
• Grading and Clearing Permit Application
• Ordinance 881-2021: adopted codes and local fees
• Ordinance 889-2022: impact fees
• Ordinance 1043-2026 Amended: temporary suspension
• City of Helena Zoning Ordinance
• Helena city ordinances
• Helena Planning & Zoning Commission

Helena building permit FAQs

How much is a building permit for a new house in Helena?

A $1,000 base fee plus a valuation fee from Appendix L of the 2012 International Residential Code, a $25 issuance fee, and a $3,541 impact fee for a single-family home.

What does a commercial building permit cost?

$1,000 plus 0.85% of the construction valuation, a $25 issuance fee, the state CICT fee and an impact fee per square foot ($0.97 for commercial space).

Do I need a permit to replace a roof or siding?

Yes. The fee ordinance prices remodeling “including siding, roofing” on the cost of the work, with a $50 minimum. Painting and pressure washing are exempt.

How tall can my fence be?

Up to 3 feet in a front yard and 6½ feet in a side or rear yard under the zoning ordinance.

Which building codes does Helena use?

Ordinance 881-2021 adopts the 2012 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing and Fuel Gas Codes and the 2011 National Electrical Code.

When does a Helena permit expire?

When work stops for 90 days without written approval from the Building Official, or after 6 months of abandonment. Fees are not refunded and a new permit must be bought.

Who is the Building Official?

Keith Martin, at City Hall, (205) 663-2161 ext. 221, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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