Birmingham Building Permits — Requirements & Process

The City of Birmingham Department of Planning, Engineering & Permits (PEP) processes building and associated trade permit applications, while its Inspection Services function enforces adopted building codes and performs inspections on permitted projects within Birmingham city limits.

Applications

Birmingham is transitioning permit types from its legacy permitting system to the Online Permit Center. The City states that several permits are already available there and more are being added. Applicants can use the online system for available permit types to apply, pay fees, track application and inspection status, and print permits.

Do not assume that every permit type has completed the transition. The City's current permitting page identifies permits available online, permits not yet available online, legacy paper applications, and other applications.

Building permits that require plans are routed for applicable staff review. Birmingham's Permitting Division states that miscellaneous repairs and minor projects can often be processed over the counter, while associated trade permits are handled separately as applicable.

When a permit is required

Birmingham's 2024 Technical Code requires a permit before regulated construction, enlargement, installation, alteration, repair, movement, improvement, removal, conversion or demolition of buildings, structures and regulated building systems, subject to the Code's stated exceptions.

The Technical Code contains project-specific exceptions and also allows ordinary minor repairs without a permit when approved by the Building, Code, and Fire Official and when the repair does not violate the Code. Because exemptions depend on the exact work and code conditions, confirm an exemption with PEP rather than treating minor work generally as permit-free.

Current technical codes

The City identifies its 2024 Technical Code as effective October 1, 2024. The Code adopts, with Birmingham amendments and stated exceptions:

• 2021 International Building Code (IBC);
• 2021 International Residential Code (IRC);
• 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC);
• 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC);
• 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC);
• 2021 International Fire Code (IFC);
• 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC);
• 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC);
• 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC);
• 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC);
• applicable provisions of NFPA 101, 2021 edition.

The Birmingham amendments and administrative provisions are part of the applicable local code; the model-code edition alone is not the complete requirement.

Plans and design professionals

The Technical Code requires permit drawings and specifications when required by the Building or Fire Official. Its local design-professional provision requires an Alabama-registered architect or engineer for Group A and E occupancies and for buildings, structures, or portions over 2,500 square feet, except single-family dwellings. The Code also contains specific engineering requirements for gas, mechanical, plumbing, and fire-protection system drawings, with stated allowances for certain minor or incidental work.

These are scope-dependent rules. Do not assume that every Birmingham permit requires sealed professional drawings, or that a project is exempt from professional design solely because it falls outside one listed category.

Plan review

The Building and Fire Officials examine permit applications and accompanying documents for compliance with applicable requirements. Birmingham does not publish a single guaranteed review time for every building permit on the sources used here.

The City's published 3–5 business day average for a floodplain development permit applies specifically to development in a Special Flood Hazard Area and should not be treated as a general building-permit review time.

Fees

The 2024 Technical Code sets the building permit fee at $9.50 per $1,000 of valuation and states that this does not include fees required by other departments or agencies. For nonresidential construction building permits, the Code also identifies an additional $1.00 per $1,000 of valuation collected for the Alabama Craft Training Fund.

Other permit, trade, certificate, review, and project-specific fees may apply. Birmingham also states that the point at which fees become due varies by permit: some are due with the application, some are assessed during processing, and others are due after plan review or before issuance. Check the actual permit record for the fees assessed to the project.

Alabama contractor licensing

Alabama's general-contractor law changed effective October 1, 2024. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors states that the statutory general-contractor threshold increased from $50,000 to $100,000 for covered undertakings.

Residential home building is regulated separately by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board. Its current law defines covered residential home-building work using a threshold exceeding $10,000, and includes residential roofing when the undertaking exceeds $2,500, subject to the statute's scope and exceptions.

Permit requirements and contractor-licensing requirements are separate questions. Verify the appropriate state license for the contractor and project rather than inferring licensing status from issuance of a City permit.

Inspections

Birmingham Inspection Services conducts inspections for permitted work. The City identifies building, electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical among the trades requiring onsite inspections and provides a City inspection-scheduling process.

Required inspections depend on the approved work and applicable trade permits. Do not rely on a generic inspection sequence for every project.

Certificate of Occupancy and completion

The 2024 Technical Code states that a new building may not be occupied, and a change in occupancy, nature, or use may not be made, until the Building Official has issued the required Certificate of Occupancy. After satisfactory completion, applicable systems, and final inspection, the Code provides for issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

The Code separately provides for a Certificate of Completion for satisfactorily completed structures, systems, or portions where applicable. A Certificate of Completion does not itself authorize occupancy of a building that requires a Certificate of Occupancy.

Birmingham's Inspection Services guidance also directs the contractor, after project completion and finalization of building trades, to return the signed card to PEP to obtain the applicable Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion.

Official sources

Use Birmingham PEP, the City's current Online Permit Center materials and 2024 Technical Code, plus the applicable Alabama licensing board, to verify requirements for the specific project.

Disclaimer: Confirm permit scope, code amendments, design-professional requirements, fees, inspections, contractor licensing, and occupancy or closeout requirements with the responsible authority before filing or beginning work.