Building Department

The Baldwin County AL Building Department handles building permits, construction plan review, code enforcement, and inspections for projects within the county’s building permit jurisdiction. Property owners, contractors, builders, and developers may work with the department for new construction, additions, remodeling, repairs, demolitions, manufactured and modular homes, accessory structures, swimming pools, marine structures, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work. This article explains where the department has jurisdiction, what types of projects it regulates, how permit applications are submitted, which construction codes apply, what plans may be required, how inspections and permit records are handled, and what additional requirements can affect flood-zone and coastal properties.

Building Department Responsibilities

The Baldwin County Building Department is responsible for permitting and inspecting construction within the areas assigned to the county’s building permit jurisdiction. Its stated purpose is to protect public health, safety, and welfare by confirming that construction meets minimum standards established through county-adopted codes, ordinances, and resolutions.

Building inspections cover more than the structural strength of a building. The department also evaluates construction requirements related to healthy and energy-efficient environments, mechanical equipment, electrical systems, plumbing systems, and fire- and life-safety provisions.

The department administers requirements adopted by the Baldwin County Commission, including International Code Council codes with county amendments and modifications. Depending on a property's location, the department may also administer floodplain development rules and beach and dune regulations.

County Permit Jurisdiction

Confirming jurisdiction is one of the first steps before preparing a permit application. The Baldwin County Building Department does not serve every property located geographically within Baldwin County.

The county building permit jurisdiction includes:

Unincorporated areas of Baldwin County.
Town of Elberta.
Town of Magnolia Springs.
Town of Perdido Beach.

A property located within the limits of another Baldwin County municipality is generally handled by that municipality's building department rather than the county Building Department. This distinction matters because permit procedures, adopted requirements, and the office responsible for reviewing a project can depend on the exact property location.

Applicants who are uncertain about jurisdiction should identify the project property before beginning the permit process. Baldwin County publishes information about its municipalities, but the Building Department specifically advises owners and contractors to contact the appropriate city building department for property inside city limits other than Elberta, Magnolia Springs, and Perdido Beach.

Projects Covered by Permitting

The Baldwin County Building Department issues permits for a broad range of residential, commercial, and specialty construction. The permit requirement depends on the type of work, its location, and other conditions affecting the property.

Examples of work handled by the department include:

New residential and commercial construction.
Additions to existing structures.
Alterations and repairs.
Interior remodeling and buildouts.
Demolitions.
Manufactured homes and mobile homes.
Modular homes and buildings.
Swimming pools and spas.
Agricultural structures.
Accessory buildings and structures.
Barns, sheds, storage buildings, gazebos, porches, and decks.
Marine accessories such as boathouses, piers, and docks.
Mechanical and HVAC work.
Electrical work.
Plumbing work.
Fire protection sprinkler work.
Signs and billboards.
Towers, including new construction, co-locations, alterations, and repairs.

The county's permit information section addresses questions such as whether a permit is required, who may obtain one, contractor requirements, owner-builder situations, application procedures, permit costs, application status, permit expiration, inspections, and Certificates of Occupancy.

Project-specific checklists

Application requirements are not identical for every project. Baldwin County organizes its permit application checklists by both project type and location-related conditions.

The checklists address information required for permit applications generally, contractor licensing, property owners acting as their own contractors, zoned and unzoned property, flood hazards, potential wetlands, Fort Morgan properties, fill material, and specific construction categories.

Applicants should avoid assuming that every item appearing on a county checklist automatically applies to their project. The county states that requirements vary by project location and scope and that some checklist items may not be necessary in every case.

Current Construction Codes

The Baldwin County Commission approved its most recent code adoption through Resolution No. 2025-067 on March 5, 2025. The county's Building Codes and Regulations page identifies the codes currently enforced by the Building Department.

The adopted standards include:

2024 International Building Code, with amendments.
2024 International Residential Code, with amendments.
2024 International Mechanical Code.
2024 International Plumbing Code, with amendments.
2024 International Fuel Gas Code.
2018 International Energy Conservation Code, with amendments.
2023 National Electrical Code, with amendments.
2025 Baldwin County Building Code Modifications.

County construction projects can also be subject to the Baldwin County Floodplain Development Ordinance and the Baldwin County Beach and Dune Protection and Management Regulations. These location-specific requirements can affect design, elevations, documentation, structural details, and the permits required before work begins.

Construction Plan Requirements

The type of construction determines the level of professional plan preparation required. Applicants should resolve plan requirements before uploading or delivering an application because incomplete or improperly prepared plans can prevent a project from moving through review.

Residential construction plans

All residential new construction and residential additions require structural plans prepared, signed, dated, and sealed by a design professional licensed in Alabama.

The county allows exceptions for certain smaller projects. Detailed non-engineered construction plans may be accepted for work such as:

Small additions.
Alterations and repairs.
Accessory structures.
Storage buildings.
Pole barns.
Porches.
Decks.

The availability of this exception does not mean that every smaller project automatically qualifies. The project's characteristics and location determine which documentation applies.

Commercial and multi-family plans

All non-residential construction requires plans prepared, signed, dated, and sealed by both an architect licensed in Alabama and an engineer licensed in Alabama. This requirement applies to commercial construction rather than the less extensive plan exceptions that may be available for certain residential projects.

Preparing a Permit Application

A useful first step is identifying the property and describing the proposed work accurately. Baldwin County advises applicants seeking help with project-specific requirements to provide the parcel number, PIN, and/or street address together with a detailed description of the work.

This property information allows permit staff to determine which location-based requirements may affect the application. A property may, for example, be zoned or unzoned, located near a potential wetland area, situated within a Special Flood Hazard Area, located in a floodway, or subject to Fort Morgan coastal requirements.

Information to organize

Before applying, applicants should organize the information that applies to their project rather than beginning with only a general project description. Relevant materials may include:

Property street address.
Parcel number or PIN.
Detailed description of the proposed construction.
Required construction plans.
Contractor licensing information when applicable.
Owner-builder documentation when applicable.
Location-specific documentation identified by the county checklist.
Flood-related documentation for affected properties.
Coastal documentation for regulated Fort Morgan projects.

The county's checklist structure is particularly useful for projects involving several layers of review because applicants can compare the basic application requirements with the sections that apply to a particular property or construction type.

CitizenServe Permit Portal

Permit applications may be submitted online through the county's CitizenServe Portal or in person at a Building Department permitting office. CitizenServe serves as the county's centralized online system for contractors, property owners, and residents handling Building Department permits.

Through the portal, users can perform tasks including:

Apply for permits.
Upload plans and other documents.
Track application reviews.
Make permit-related payments.
Request inspections.
View and manage permits and applications.

Managing an existing application

Once an application has been submitted or a permit is active, CitizenServe can also be used to communicate with the staff member handling the permit file.

After logging in, users can select “View My Requests,” choose “View My Bldg Dept” from the available options, and locate the appropriate permit. If the permit does not initially appear, the county instructs users to select the “All” tab and change the date-range filter to “All.”

After selecting the permit number, the “Leave Message” function can be used to contact staff, while “Upload Documents” can be used to submit additional files. Messages and documents submitted this way are automatically assigned to the staff member responsible for the permit file.

This feature is especially useful during plan review because it keeps additional documents and permit-related communication connected to the correct application rather than separating them from the permit record.

Permit Fees and Payment

Permit costs depend on the applicable department, permit, and project. Baldwin County maintains a permit fee schedules page that separates Building Department fees from Planning and Zoning, Coastal Area Program, and Highway Department information.

Applicants should use the schedule that corresponds to the permit being obtained rather than assuming that one county fee schedule covers every approval connected with a construction project.

For example, the county states that Minor Residential and Agricultural Driveway Permits handled by the Highway Department do not require fees, while Commercial and Major Residential Driveway Permits are processed through the Planning and Zoning Department. Building Department and Coastal Area Program permits have their own fee schedules.

Inspections After Permit Issuance

Issuance of a permit does not complete the county review process. Construction covered by a permit must proceed through the inspections applicable to the project. Baldwin County maintains separate inspection information for residential construction, commercial construction, site inspections, and other types of permitted work.

The department's inspection material addresses several stages that occur after permit issuance, including verifying that a permit is issued and active, obtaining the permit card or placard, accessing approved construction plans, determining whether additional permits are necessary, preparing to begin work, scheduling required inspections, communicating with an inspector, uploading documents for inspector review, and obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy when applicable.

Approved plans and permit status

Applicants should distinguish between submitting a permit application and having an issued, active permit. The county inspection information specifically addresses how to verify permit status and how to access the plans that were approved for construction.

Using the approved plan set is significant because those documents reflect what was reviewed as part of the permit process. Changes to the proposed work can affect whether additional review, documents, or permits are needed.

Permit expiration issues

The county's permit and inspection information also addresses how long permits remain valid, possible extensions, and what can be done after a permit expires. Because expiration depends on the permit rules applicable to the project, applicants should use the county's permit record and Building Department guidance rather than assuming an older permit remains active.

Floodplain Construction Requirements

Location can substantially change the requirements for a building permit. The Baldwin County Building Department administers floodplain regulations within unincorporated areas of its building permit jurisdiction and within Elberta, Magnolia Springs, and Perdido Beach.

The county's Floodplain Management and Flood Zone Information section explains requirements for development in Special Flood Hazard Areas, including A, AE, AH, AO, A-1 through A-30 zones, Coastal A Zones, V Zones, and designated floodways.

Elevation documentation

For development in the identified Special Flood Hazard Areas, a Temporary Benchmark or Elevation Certificate is required before the permit is issued. An Under Construction Elevation Certificate may also be required if the Building Official determines that it is necessary.

A Finished Construction Elevation Certificate must be submitted to the Building Department at least 24 hours before scheduling a final inspection. Elevation Certificates must be signed and stamped by an Alabama-registered design professional authorized to certify the elevation information.

The county requires habitable areas in these flood hazard areas to remain above Base Flood Elevation plus one foot of freeboard. Requirements also apply to construction materials, enclosed areas below the required elevation, flood vents, HVAC and mechanical systems, electrical installations, and plumbing fixtures.

Floodway construction

A No-Rise Certificate is required for all new construction within a designated floodway. This is distinct from the Elevation Certificate requirements that apply to construction in specified flood zones.

Coastal flood zones

Coastal A Zones and V Zones have additional construction rules. A Coastal A-Zone or V-Zone Design Certificate Form is required before permit issuance. The county also requires engineered plans for breakaway walls that enclose areas below Base Flood Elevation and for structural components attached to principal structures below that elevation.

Additional restrictions address foundations, fill, swimming pools, propane tanks, mechanical equipment, plumbing fixtures, and enclosed storage or accessory structures. The rules for Coastal A and V Zones therefore should not be treated as interchangeable with requirements for every other flood zone.

Fort Morgan Coastal Permits

The Baldwin County Coastal Area Program is a division of the Building Department and regulates certain development within the coastal portion of the county building permit jurisdiction.

Construction and development activities along the Fort Morgan beach and dune system may require a Coastal Area Program permit when property is intersected by or located seaward of the Construction Control Line. The county's Coastal Area Program information explains that this review is intended to ensure consistency with applicable coastal regulations and Baldwin County beach and dune requirements.

Applying for coastal review

Coastal Area Program applications may be submitted through CitizenServe. Within the Building Department portion of the portal, an applicant selects the option to apply for a permit and then chooses the Coastal Area Program Permit type.

This coastal permit should be distinguished from a standard building permit. A project can involve Building Department construction requirements as well as separate coastal requirements based on its location and proposed activity.

Dune walkover requirements

A dune walkover is a raised walkway intended to protect beach and dune areas from pedestrian traffic. Baldwin County imposes specific design and construction requirements on these structures.

Among the county requirements, only one dune walkover is allowed per parcel. The structure must remain within private lot boundaries, cannot attach directly to the home or elevated deck structure, and cannot include lighting. Its location and length must be coordinated through the applicable delegated authorities.

A recent survey must accompany a Coastal Area Program Permit application for a dune walkover. The survey must identify property lines, lot dimensions, existing and proposed structures, dune height, vegetation line, and the Construction Control Line. It must be prepared and stamped by a professional land surveyor licensed in Alabama.

Dune walkover construction is prohibited during sea turtle nesting season from May 1 through November 1.

Permit and Occupancy Records

Baldwin County separates permit searches according to the date the permit was issued. The Building Department permit reports page directs users to different systems depending on the record being sought.

Permits before November 2020

Permits issued before November 1, 2020 are searched through the county's Building Permits Link page.

Newer permit records

Permits issued on or after November 1, 2020 are searched through CitizenServe. CitizenServe is also used for reports involving permits and inspections.

This date distinction can prevent a common search problem: entering an older permit into a newer system and concluding that no record exists. The permit issuance date determines which county search method should be used.

Certificates of Occupancy

Certificates of Occupancy are searched through the CitizenServe search page by selecting the Certificates of Occupancy option. If a needed certificate cannot be found through the online search, the Building Department can review the address to determine whether a certificate is on file and provide a copy by email when available.

Elevation Certificate searches

Elevation Certificates are also searched through CitizenServe. Baldwin County recommends beginning an Elevation Certificate search with the street number only. If that produces no result, other search fields can be tried individually.

The Building Department maintains Elevation Certificates that were provided during its permitting and inspection process. A certificate may not exist for a vacant property where no structures have been built, for a structure that was not in a Special Flood Hazard Area when constructed, or for a structure built without required permits.

Property Review Before Building

A building permit review can involve more than construction drawings. Property conditions may determine which approvals and supporting documents are necessary before a permit can be issued.

Issues identified in Baldwin County's permit materials include zoning, potential wetlands, flood hazards, floodways, Fort Morgan coastal requirements, fill material, and the legal status of the property. An applicant should therefore avoid treating the parcel number and building plans as the only information relevant to the application.

Zoning and building permits

Planning and zoning requirements and Building Department requirements serve different purposes. A project may need to satisfy zoning standards as well as construction-code requirements. Baldwin County's Building Codes page directs users to the Planning and Zoning Department for planning and zoning ordinances and regulations.

The Foley permitting location also provides Planning and Zoning Department services, while Robertsdale serves as the main Planning and Zoning office. Planning and Zoning staff are not based at the Fairhope or Bay Minette permitting offices.

Wetlands and other constraints

The county permit checklist includes a location-based section for unzoned property within or near a Special Flood Hazard Area or potential wetland area. The presence of these conditions can affect the approvals or documentation associated with development.

Applicants should therefore identify the property's location characteristics before relying only on a project-type checklist. A residential addition in an ordinary location may have different documentation needs from a similar addition in a flood zone, floodway, potential wetland area, or regulated coastal location.

Common Permit Mistakes

Several avoidable problems can make the permit process more difficult. One is contacting Baldwin County for a property located inside a municipality where the city's building department has jurisdiction. Confirming the property jurisdiction at the beginning prevents an application from being prepared for the wrong authority.

Another problem is treating all project checklists as identical. Baldwin County divides its requirements by project type and by property characteristics. Applicants should compare the general permit requirements with the specific sections affecting their location and construction category.

Plan requirements also deserve attention. Residential new construction and additions generally require professionally prepared and sealed structural plans, while all non-residential construction requires plans sealed by both an Alabama-licensed architect and engineer. A limited exception for detailed non-engineered plans exists for certain smaller residential projects, but that exception should not be assumed to cover a larger project.

Applicants working in a flood hazard area should also account for elevation and design documents early. Waiting until the final inspection to investigate flood documentation can be especially problematic because the county requires certain certificates before permit issuance and requires a Finished Construction Elevation Certificate at least 24 hours before scheduling the final inspection.

Permit record searches can also fail when the wrong system is used. The November 1, 2020 cutoff separates older permit searches from permits maintained through CitizenServe.

Communicating With Permit Staff

Building Department staff can assist with questions about application requirements, permit files, plan review, inspections, floodplain requirements, and other Building Department matters. For project-specific questions, applicants should be prepared to identify the property by street address, parcel number, or PIN. An existing permit number should also be provided when applicable.

For an application already submitted through CitizenServe, using the permit record's messaging and document-upload functions helps direct the communication to the employee responsible for the file.

In-person permitting services are available through Baldwin County offices in Foley, Robertsdale, Fairhope, and Bay Minette. Office schedules vary by location, so visitors should verify current public hours before traveling to an office.

Building Department Offices

Baldwin County Building Department & Permitting Office – Foley

201 East Section Avenue
Foley, AL 36535
251-972-6837

Baldwin County Building Department & Permitting Office – Robertsdale

22251 Palmer Street
Robertsdale, AL 36567
251-972-6837

Baldwin County Building Department & Permitting Office – Fairhope

1100 Fairhope Avenue
Fairhope, AL 36532
251-972-6837

Baldwin County Building Department & Permitting Office – Bay Minette

203 Oak Street, Suite B
Bay Minette, AL 36507
251-972-6837

Building Department FAQs

What should I check before buying land to build on?

Before purchasing a parcel for construction, look beyond whether the property appears large enough for the project. Baldwin County advises buyers to investigate zoning, potential wetlands, legal subdivision status, property lines, easements, rights-of-way, road access, utilities, flood conditions, and any recorded covenants or restrictions. Some of these issues are handled by other county or state agencies, but they can determine whether the project you have in mind is practical. The county's Know Before You Buy, Build, or Subdivide guidance provides a useful due-diligence checklist.

Does a recorded parcel automatically qualify as a buildable lot?

No. Baldwin County specifically warns that land recorded through the Probate Judge's Office may not necessarily constitute a legally created subdivision. Zoning requirements can also control lot width, density, setbacks, and permitted uses. Before relying on a recorded parcel description for a construction project, verify the property's subdivision and zoning status with the appropriate county department.

Can private deed restrictions affect my building plans?

Yes. Recorded covenants or deed restrictions may limit how property can be used even when county regulations would otherwise allow the proposed construction. Baldwin County recommends researching these restrictions through official property records. Private restrictions are separate from building-code and zoning requirements, so receiving a county permit does not necessarily resolve obligations created by a property's covenants.

What if the property does not have public sewer service?

Applicants should determine utility availability before committing to a building plan. When sewer service is unavailable, septic-system requirements may need to be addressed through the appropriate health authority before construction can move forward. This is one reason Baldwin County encourages property-specific research before applying for permits. The county's official permit information can help applicants identify the permitting questions that should be resolved for their project.