Building Permit Information
Zoning Administration is the first step in the building permit process. Customers applying for a building permit must receive approval from the Zoning Administrator before proceeding to the Inspection Department to continue the building permit process. Zoning Administration and the Inspection Department are working hand in hand to make the building permit process as customer friendly as possible. Please refer to the Inspection Department website for further information as their department has specific requirements for building permit approval.
Building Permits for Residential Property:
For new one and two family dwellings and additions in an approved subdivision, the following information must be submitted for a building permit:
One site plan, drawn to scale, showing the house on the lot (including measurements) and any and all easements on the lot.
One set of plans for the dwelling to include elevations. (footing/foundation plans, floor plans, etc.)
A completed Building Permit Application (found on the Applications and Instructions page)
If the project received a Board of Zoning Adjustment variance approval, then a copy of the letter of approval must accompany the building application.
Other items may be needed for a building permit for buildings in the 100 year flood fringe, slope development district, metes and bounds lots, historical districts, etc.
Once you receive approval from Zoning Administration, you will take one site plan and one set of plans (both copies must be stamped and signed by the Zoning Administrator) to the Inspection Department to complete the building permit process. Please refer to the Inspection Department website for further information regarding building permit requirements for residential property.
Building Permits for Commercial Property:
Two (2) full sets of plans and specifications stamped by a certified design professional in the State of Alabama if the building is over 2,500 square feet in size, or is an assembly, educational, institutional, or hazardous occupancy.
A completed Building Permit Application (found on the Applications and Instructions page)
If the project received a Board of Zoning Adjustment variance or special exception approval, then a copy of the letter of approval must accompany the building application.
A Building Permit Routing Form
If the project is covered by the City of Huntsville's Master Plan, then a letter must be submitted showing the project has been through the Planning Commission giving approval for "Location/Character/and Extent."
Application for the City of Huntsville Planning Commission Location, Character, and Extent: http://www.hsvcity.com/Planning/subform.pdf
Turn in dates for City of Huntsville Planning Commission Location, Character, and Extent: http://www.hsvcity.com/Planningsubcalendar.pdf
If the project is for a building or any addition to a building in any of the Research Park Districts, then an approval letter from the Research Park Board must be accompanied with the building application.
Cummings Research Park has established a 75 page Design Development Guide which details their design approvals process. The Adobe .PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0.
Once you receive approval from Zoning Administration, you will take two (2) full sets of plans (both copies must be stamped and signed by the Zoning Administrator) to the Inspection Department to complete the building permit process. Please refer to the Inspection Department website for further information regarding building permit requirements for commercial property.
