Building License & Permits
BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION
All commercial and residential projects requiring plan approval must be submitted online for a plan review through ePlans Review. Before using this system, please follow the instructions outlined in the steps below.
GETTING STARTED
Building projects may require approval from multiple city departments, depending upon the nature and complexity of the project, including review by Planning, Zoning, Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Inspection, Water Pollution Control, Natural Resources, City Clerk and Legal. Our online ePlans Review process will help move you through each requirement.
The City recommends a pre-application review meeting for contractors and project developers before submitting a commercial project. Contact the Planning or Zoning departments at 256-427-5100 to schedule your appointment. All commercial and residential projects requiring plan approval must be submitted online for a plan review through ePlans Review. Zoning Administration is the first step in processing most building permit applications. For residential building permit applications that do not require a plan review, applicants may still need Zoning Administration approval. To verify if an approval is needed, please contact Zoning at 256-427-5100.
All persons, firms, or corporations engaged in any exhibition, trade, business, vocation, occupation, profession, calling or conducting any type business within the corporate limits of the City of Huntsville, shall obtain a Business License from the Finance Department before engaging in business. Zoning Administration must check for zoning compliance before approving privilege licenses. Working with sub-contractors? You must complete the Sub-contractors Schedule C form to document proof of business licenses for each sub-contractor, per project.
Review the application information for your type of project – residential or commercial. Commercial Property Building Permits must be submitted through ePlans Review. All plans and specifications must be sealed by a State of Alabama-certified design professional if the building is over 2,500 square feet in size, or is an assembly, educational, institutional or hazardous occupancy. Please review the following below before proceeding with your application. 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. Building permits may be submitted online through ePlans Review. All plan sheets and documents submitted online must be in a PDF format. Once the permit is processed and approved, it must be picked up in person. For new one and two family dwellings and additions in an approved subdivision, the following information must be submitted for a building permit: Alterations and Repairs Minor Alterations and Repairs
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY BUILDING PERMITS
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY BUILDING PERMITS
SUBMIT YOUR PLANS
E-Plans Review
TRADE CONTRACTORS: ONLINE PERMITTING & INSPECTION SCHEDULING
Most trades for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas and as well some roofing & siding permits can be obtained online.
Any project where the site location is located in a “FEMA-Special Flood Hazard Area” must be submitted in person.
All building, and most standalone trade permits, will require a FDP-Flood Development Permit to be completed and issued prior to any other permit approval.
To locate if the property is in a flood zone, visit the City of Huntsville GIS Interactive Maps webpage. When using this mapping system, turn on filters/layers to show flood zones. Click on the “Layer List” icon at top right and select the “FEMA 2018 Flood Insurance Rate Map”. Next, use the “Search Address or Intersection Box” at top left of the page to locate your project’s address on the map.