Building permits in Birmingham, AL
Permits for Birmingham are issued by City of Birmingham, Dept. of Planning, Engineering & Permits. Applications go through the portal below.
Checked against the department's own page on 6 Sep 2026
Where to file
- Department
- City of Birmingham, Dept. of Planning, Engineering & Permits
- Phone
- (205) 254-2211
- Portal
- aca-prod.accela.com/BIRMINGHAM
Online Permit Center (Accela) + BS&A inspections. One-Stop, City Hall Room 210. Confirm phone. Trade permits 205-254-2904.
What each job needs in Birmingham
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Birmingham before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Alabama
A General Contractor license is generally required for commercial/industrial projects $50,000 and up; residential work $10,000+ is licensed by the Home Builders Licensure Board.
Issued by Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors / Home Builders Licensure Board · Verify a licence
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Other Alabama jurisdictions
All Alabama jurisdictionsDepartment, portal and phone checked against the official page on 6 Sep 2026. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.