Moody, Alabama Building Permit Guide

The City of Moody Building/Inspections Department, 670 Park Avenue, Suite 108 (205-640-0310), issues building permits in Moody and also handles planning and zoning. Applications are paper forms from the City’s Forms page, filed with 2 hard copies of the plans. The building permit costs $25 for the first $1,000 of valuation plus $5 for each further $1,000, and plan review adds half of that fee.

What work needs a building permit in Moody?

The Building/Inspections Department lists the work that must have a permit. City code adds demolition, moving a building and blasting, each with its own fee.

Starting permitted work before the permit is issued doubles the fee. For a contractor’s repeat offenses within a year the code adds $100, then $250, then $500 on top of the doubled fee.

Who issues building permits in Moody?

One City department covers inspections, planning and zoning. It issues permits, determines land use and inspects new construction and renovations for residential and commercial property in Moody. David Crowe is the Building Inspector. A separate Fire Inspector reviews commercial plans and life safety systems.

The department also answers 911 addressing, flood plain, zoning map and storm water questions.

Moody permit applications and forms

Moody has no online permit portal. Each permit has a printable application on the City’s Forms page, and the completed form goes to the department at 670 Park Avenue.

• Building Permit Application. Used for new construction, repairs, additions, mobile homes and signs. It asks for the zoning classification, parcel ID, construction type, occupancy use, flood plain status and the sewer impact or septic permit number.
• Subcontractors List. The owner or contractor must list every subcontractor.
• Electrical, Plumbing/Gas and Heating/Air Conditioning/Refrigeration applications. Each is tied to the building permit number and signed with the installer’s master card number and Moody business licence number.
• Manufactured Home Permit Application. Needs a copy of the plat map, the dealer’s details, proof of Moody sales tax and, where zoning requires it, the signatures of adjoining landowners.
• Sign Permit, Banner Permit and Political Sign Permit.
• Storm Water forms. Residential and commercial discharge permit forms plus the Storm Water Emergency Contact sheet.
• Fire forms. Commercial Fire Protection Installation Permit, Fire Alarm Permit and Commercial Burn Permit applications.

A homeowner who pulls the permit personally must attach the owner’s affidavit from the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board to the application.

Moody building permit fees

Fees are set in Sec. 8-63 of the Moody Code of Ordinances. For new construction and additions, the City takes the value from the International Code Council’s building valuation data schedule, not from the contract price. Alterations, repairs, accessory buildings, pools and walls are charged on the contract cost, and materials the owner bought separately are added to it.

For example, a new house valued at $200,000 pays $25 plus 199 × $5, which is $1,020, and a plan review fee of $510.

The first visit for each required inspection is free. A re-inspection costs $20 the first time and $50 each time after that, and all inspection fees must be paid before the final inspection. The commercial application also has a line for a state fee.

Storm water permit: the City’s residential form (revised February 2019) prints a $500 base fee plus $15 per acre. Sec. 8-63, which dates from 2004, still shows $100 plus $15 per acre, so budget for the form’s figure.

Electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC permits in Moody

The Building Inspector issues the trade permits. Electricians must hold a master card, and every subcontractor needs a licence to do business in the City of Moody. Each trade application carries a $20 issuance fee.

Sprinkler systems must be approved by the Moody Fire Department before installation. The sprinkler permit costs $550 for 1–100 heads, $650 for 101–200, $700 for 201–300, $750 for 301–400 and $850 for 401–500; above 500 heads it is $850 plus $0.66 per head. This 2022 table replaces the lower figures still printed in Sec. 8-63.

Documents for a Moody building permit

The City’s punch list for new construction names 6 items to hand in together.

Commercial plans need an engineer’s stamp. For a house, the Inspector reviews the plans and works out the square footage and cost used for the fee. If the driveway or access crosses a public right-of-way, the Inspection Department must approve a written plan for protecting the right-of-way before the permit is issued.

How to apply for a Moody building permit: 6 steps

Moody inspections and certificate of occupancy

Give 24 hours’ notice and book by phone on (205) 640-0309 or (205) 640-0310. The City’s typical sequence, which varies between residential and commercial jobs, is:

• Silt fence and storm water, always the first inspection
• Temporary electric
• Footings and plumbing slab (water must be on)
• Foundation or slab, with plastic and termite treatment in place unless treatment is done at framing
• Waterproofing, where it applies
• Framing and all rough-ins: plumbing, gas under pressure, electrical and HVAC
• Final electric, with the panel labeled
• Final gas and fire protection
• Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

The City notes that attic braces and anchor bolts are the most common framing failures. The primary contractor must show that all subcontractors hold Moody licences before a final inspection or certificate of occupancy. For a new business, the Fire Inspector’s fire and life safety inspection is part of the certificate of occupancy.

Local Moody rules that affect a project

Permit life: a permit expires if no construction is done within one year of issue, or if work stops for one year. It can be renewed once.

Local code amendments: exterior footings must sit at least 10 inches below undisturbed ground with 2 runs of No. 4 rebar; gas water heaters need a thermal expansion tank; backwater valves are required in all dwellings and commercial buildings; and commercial buildings must have all electrical conductors in conduit.

Basements: an unsprinklered basement needs insulated walls with ½-inch fire-rated board and ⅝-inch board on the ceiling.

Manufactured homes: allowed in the AG-1 agricultural zone on at least one acre, with the signatures of adjoining property owners, a Mobile Home permit and a certified master electrician to wire the power.

Signs: signs go to the Planning Commission, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Every sign application needs a dimensioned drawing, color scheme and placement. A temporary sign permit lasts 30 days and is issued at most 4 times a year. An illuminated sign also needs an electrical permit.

Variances: the Zoning Board of Adjustment meets on the third Tuesday of the month; call (205) 640-0309 first.

Sprinklers: new non-residential buildings of 10,000 sq ft or more, or of 3 stories or more, and new residential buildings with more than 2 units must have automatic sprinklers.

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 Moody permit resources

• City of Moody Building/Inspections Department
• City of Moody permit forms
• Moody new construction requirements and inspection list
• Moody Building Permit Application
• Moody Code of Ordinances, Chapter 8 (permits and fees)

Moody building permit FAQs

How much is a building permit in Moody?

$25 for the first $1,000 of valuation plus $5 for every further $1,000, with a plan review fee of half that amount. On a $200,000 valuation that is $1,020 plus $510.

Do I need a permit for a fence, pool or roof in Moody?

Yes. The City lists fences, pools, roofing, signs and accessory structures as needing permits, and fence and pool applications must include drawings.

Can a homeowner pull a building permit in Moody?

Yes, with the homeowner affidavit from the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board attached to the Building Permit Application.

How do I schedule an inspection in Moody?

Call (205) 640-0309 or (205) 640-0310 with 24 hours’ notice. The silt fence and storm water inspection always comes first.

What does a failed inspection cost?

$20 for the first failure and $50 if the same inspection fails again. The fees must be paid before the final inspection.

Which building codes does Moody use?

The 2015 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas and Energy codes, the 2014 National Electrical Code and the 2021 International Fire Code.

Can I put a mobile home on my land in Moody?

Only in the AG-1 zone, on one acre or more, with adjoining owners’ signatures and a $50 Manufactured Home Permit.

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