Saraland, Alabama Building Permit Guide

The City of Saraland Building Department, 727 Saraland Blvd S (251-679-5502, weekdays 7:00 am to 4:00 pm), issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sign, right-of-way, land disturbance and tree permits. Some applications are PDFs and others are online forms linked from the department’s page. Saraland enforces the 2015 International Building and Residential Codes and the 2014 National Electrical Code, and every builder, contractor and subcontractor must keep a $10,000 licence and permit bond on file.

What requires a building permit in Saraland?

Saraland adopted the 2015 International Building Code and International Residential Code in May 2019 and tightened their permit exemptions. The City deleted two of the model codes’ building exemptions in each code, and in the residential code it deleted every electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing exemption. Trade work on a house therefore needs a permit even where the model code would exempt it.

Cleaning or painting a sign without changing its size, image or message does not need a sign permit. Landscaping in the right-of-way that grows no taller than 18 inches is also exempt.

Who issues building permits in Saraland?

The Building Department issues permits inside the Saraland city limits; Jeremy Stewart is its Supervisor. The Building Official also issues right-of-way permits, reviews sign applications and administers site disturbance permits. Mobile County’s Inspection Services Department regulates construction only in unincorporated Mobile County.

Saraland permit applications

There is no single permit portal. The Building Department page links each application separately:

• Downloadable applications: Building Permit, Electrical Permit, Plumbing Permit, Sign Permit Application and Right of Way Permit.
• Online forms: Mechanical Permit, Land Disturbance Permit, Tree Permit, Other Permit and the Application for 6 month investigation.

The 6-month application ties to the electrical code: when electrical service to a building has been off for more than 6 months, the Building Official inspects the service equipment and accessible wiring before power is reconnected.

Under the City’s amendments every permit applicant must show proper identification and verify ownership of the property. Contractors sign the register kept by the building official with their name, residence and place of business.

Right-of-way permits come in 5 classes: major project, minor project, small project type A, small project type B and landscape.

Saraland permit fees

Saraland’s building code says the fee for each building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit is paid when the application is filed, under a fee schedule adopted by the City in a separate ordinance. Under City Code Sec. 2-319 each department keeps its own fee schedule on file with the department head and the City Clerk, so the Building Department gives the permit fee on 251-679-5502.

What the code does fix:

• Bond: a current licence and permit bond of $10,000 for every builder, contractor and subcontractor, from a surety qualified in Alabama.
• Right-of-way work without a permit: double the permit fee. Right-of-way fees are nonrefundable, and replacing an existing pole with one of similar size carries no fee.
• Commercial site bond: where a commercial site poses a drainage or siltation risk, a performance bond of 25% of the total site work cost, held for at least 2 years after the certificate of occupancy.
• Code fines: $200 for a general violation, and $250 for occupying a building without a Certificate of Occupancy or for working without the proper licence.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits in Saraland

The Building Department issues the trade permits. The adopted editions are the 2014 National Electrical Code, the 2015 International Plumbing Code, the 2015 International Mechanical Code and the 2009 International Fuel Gas Code.

Anyone installing or altering an electrical system must show proof of being a licensed, registered master electrician, and a master or journeyman electrician has to be on site and in charge whenever electrical work is under way. Electricians file a certificate of competency with the department first.

The Fire Inspection Division of Saraland Fire Rescue enforces the fire codes and helps builders with plan review. A new business, or one moving to a new Saraland address, must be approved by both the Building Inspection Department and the Fire Department Inspector; the City requests those inspections when it receives the business licence application.

Documents and plans for a Saraland permit

Site plan review by the Planning Commission, on the building inspector’s recommendation, is required for residential developments of 2 or more dwelling units, for business, commercial and industrial structures, and for an existing structure that grows by 30% or more in gross floor area. The plan must follow the department’s current site plan checklist. Approval lapses after one year if no site disturbance permit has been obtained and no construction has started.

How to apply for a Saraland permit: 6 steps

Saraland inspections and certificate of occupancy

Inspections are arranged with the Building Department on 251-679-5502. Owner-builders are inspected to the same criteria as contractors.

Saraland added 3 items to the final inspection of a new house:

• At least 25 feet of established grass or ground cover around the building for erosion control
• An approved driveway and walkway of gravel, asphalt, concrete, brick or pavers, built so it does not increase erosion or harm adjoining property
• No construction dumpster or trash container blocking or damaging a City street, sidewalk or roadway

The permit holder must also hand over a receipt from a licensed and bonded pest control specialist certifying the termite treatment. The Certificate of Occupancy lists the permit number, address, owner, the code edition and any special conditions. For a shell building the Building Official issues a Certificate of Shell Completion instead.

Local Saraland rules that affect a project

Homeowner permits: an owner may get building, electrical and plumbing permits only for work done personally on the residence the owner occupies, after satisfying the official of competence and signing an affidavit. Anyone else doing the work counts as a contractor.

Underground utilities: water, sewer, gas, power, telephone and cable lines must go underground in all new residential, commercial and industrial developments.

Commercial facades: smooth unpainted concrete block, tilt-up panels and prefabricated steel panels may not be the main material on a front facade, and neon tubing is not allowed as an accent.

Flood hazard areas: a floodplain development permit is required before development, and the Building Official cannot modify flood provisions without a variance under the City’s storm water ordinances.

Contractor vehicles: trucks used by contractors and subcontractors must carry signage; the fine for missing signage is $250.

Right-of-way permits: a permit is void if no work starts within 6 months of issue.

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 Saraland permitting resources

• City of Saraland Building Department
• Saraland Code of Ordinances (Chapters 10, 20, 26 and 46)
• Saraland business licence services
• Saraland Fire Rescue, Fire Inspection Division

Saraland building permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Saraland?

The City of Saraland Building Department, 727 Saraland Blvd S, 251-679-5502. It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.

How much is a building permit in Saraland?

It comes from the Building Department’s fee schedule, kept on file with the department and the City Clerk (City Code Sec. 2-319), and is paid when the application is filed; call 251-679-5502 for the figure.

Can a homeowner pull a permit in Saraland?

Yes, for work the owner does personally on the home the owner lives in, with a signed affidavit and the official’s agreement that the owner is competent to do it.

Do contractors need a bond in Saraland?

Yes. Every builder, contractor and subcontractor must have a current $10,000 licence and permit bond on file.

Which building codes does Saraland use?

The 2015 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Mechanical, Plumbing and Property Maintenance codes, the 2014 National Electrical Code and the 2009 International Fuel Gas Code.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree or clear land in Saraland?

The Building Department has a Tree Permit form and a Land Disturbance Permit form, and City code requires a site disturbance permit before site preparation on a development.

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