Permitting/Inspections

City of Semmes adopted building codes:

2018 International Building Code

2018 International Residential Code

2018 International Mechanical Code

2020 National Electrical Code

2018 International Energy Conservation Code

2018 International Plumbing Code

2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code

2018 International Existing Building Code

2018 Wood Frame Construction Manual

Please click here for Building Code Amendments, General notes, Builder’s Checklist and Order of Inspection

ALL Commercial and Residential plans, including additions, must be designed, and stamped by an Alabama Licensed Engineer. Pole barns and Accessory Buildings may be subject to this requirement.

To apply for a permit you must be a property owner or a State Board certified contractor with a City of Semmes Business License.

Only licensed General Contractors can apply for a permit to build a new or modify an existing commercial building.

Alabama Home Builders License is required to apply for a residential building permit. A Property Owner may apply for a residential building permit if certain requirements are met but must sign an affidavit for an exemption of licensing requirements. Property Owners applying for a building permit must meet with the Building Inspector to review the process and discuss expectations. Property Owners are responsible for ensuring all subcontractors obtain their business license prior to final building inspection.

 Approved plans, stamped by the Building Department, along with the building permit must be on site in a job box for an inspection to take place.

City Limits shall be defined as an area in which the city has authority to enforce its rules, ordinances, and policies.

Jurisdiction shall be defined as permitting, planning, and policing territory located one half mile outside the city limits.

All proposed Accessory Building(s), that will be erected in the city limits, are customarily incidental to and are maintained and operated as part of the principle use and is not located on a lot by itself.

 All “Tiny Homes/Houses” must be constructed to meet the provisions of the 2018 International Residential Code or must meet the requirements of and have approval from the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission. 

ALL permits pulled on MOBILE HOMES must provide the Board of Health document for septic tank information.

Brooke Miller
Permitting Clerk

Email:
[email protected]

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 am to 4:00 pm

City Hall Address:
One Main Street
Semmes, AL 36575

Phone: (251) 649-5752
Fax: (251) 649-5788

Click to View Fee Schedule

Building permit applications

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PDFS

New Residential PDF

Land Disturbance Application

New Commercial PDF

Building Plan Submittal Application

Subcontractor Forms

REQUIREMENTS

New Residential

  • Application filled out completely and correctly
  • 2 sets of Architect or Engineered stamped plans or drawings that follow the 2018 Building Codes and meet the 160 mph wind speed. ONE HARD COPY AND ONE ELECTRONIC PDF FILE
  • Board of Health septic tank documentation
  • Completed Subcontractor Forms

New Commercial

  • Beginning January 1, 2023, all COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS will only be issued to a state licensed general contractor with a City of Semmes Business License. The property owner will not be allowed to obtain a commercial building permit.
  • Commercial Site Plans must be submitted and completed before applying for a permit. Please refer to the Planning Department for Site Plan compliance.
  • Permit application filled out completely and correctly
  • 2 sets of Architect/Engineered stamped plans. ONE HARD COPY AND ONE ELECTRONIC PDF FILE
  • PDF of Architect/Engineered stamped plans may either be emailed or provided on an USB drive for Fire Department approval.
  • Completed Subcontractor Forms
Addition
  • Application filled out completely and correctly
  • 2 sets of Architect or Engineered stamped plans or drawings that follow the 2018 Building Codes and meet the 160 mph wind speed. ONE HARD COPY AND ONE ELECTRONIC PDF FILE
  • Decks that are 30 inches or higher requires rails
  • 4 steps or more requires handrails

PERMIT APPLICATION (roofing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing)

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PDFS

REQUIREMENTS

  • Roofing
    • Specs along with list of materials, number of squares, and pictures for final inspection. Must meet 160 mph wind speed. Please attach a copy of the contract with the application.
  • Electrical
    • Temporary poles & Six (6) Month Investigations on Mobile Homes must provide approved Board of Health documentation.
  • Mechanical
    • Blower test and Duct test
  •  Plumbing

ADDITIONAL FILES

Electrical Inspection Card

Mechanical Inspection Card

Plumbing Inspection Card

SIGN PERMIT APPLICATION

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PDFS

REQUIREMENTS

  • Application filled out completely and correctly
  • 2 sets of Architect or Engineered stamped plans or drawings that follow the 2018 Building Codes and meet the 160 mph wind speed. ONE HARD COPY AND ONE ELECTRONIC PDF FILE
  • Decks that are 30 inches or higher requires railing
  • 4 steps or more requires hand railing

SWIMMING POOL APPLICATION

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PDFS

REQUIREMENTS

  • Application filled out completely
  • Electrical Bond
  • At least 4ft fence with self-locking gate

ROW APPLICATION

DRIVEWAY APPLICATION

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PDFS

Please do not commence work without prior approval.

TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PDFS

Please review the Tree Ordinance linked below.

Tree Ordinance

DEMOLITION APPLICATION

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION PDFS

Please make sure all utilities are disconnected before applying.

BUILDING PERMIT PORTAL

Please click below link for the Building Permit Portal

ENTER CITY OF SEMMES PERMIT PAYMENT PORTAL HERE

Chris Sargent

Building Inspector

Address:
City Hall-Building Department
One Main Street, Semmes, Alabama 36575

Email:
[email protected]

Phone:
(251) 649-5752

Fax:
(251) 649-5788

Mailling Address:
P.O. Box 1757, Semmes, AL 36575

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Contact Us

City Hall Address | One Main Street, Semmes, AL 36575
Phone | (251) 649-8811
Fax | (251) 649-7711
Mailing Address | P.O. Box 1757, Semmes, AL 36575
Office Hours | Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

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