Building Inspections, Permits, & Codes
Q. When is a building permit required?
A. A building permit is required on all non-federal new construction, remodeling, and/or repair projects.
Q. How is an inspection requested from the City's Planning & Code Department?
A. To schedule an inspection, call 256-401-2425 and provide the permit number and address. All inspections must be requested 24 hours in advance.
Q. Do I need a permit to work on my own property?
A. It depends. If a residential property owner of record (as on a property’s deed) is painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, installing cabinets, countertops, or similar finish work themselves on their own residential property without hiring any of the work out to independent contractors, a permit is not required. Any work outside the limits of the above listed work will need a permit on residential projects. For commercial projects, there are no exclusions, and any work will need to be permitted, regardless if the work is being performed by a contractor or the owner.
Q. May I work on my own natural/propane gas system without hiring a licensed professional?
A. No. State laws does not allow property owners to work on their own natural/propane gas system. Work must be performed by a licensed gas fitter; however, state code does allow certain exemptions for Public Utilities and Maintenance Engineers. Permits and inspections are required.
Q. Are there any special licensing and/or permit requirements for contractors?
A. Yes. At a minimum, all companies or persons who perform any work, regardless of the cost, must have both their Sylacauga Business License and Proof of Liability insurance.
Q. May I build my own residence, acting as my own home builder?
A. Yes, with certain exceptions. A property owner can act as their own bome builder and build their own residence, but, per the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Law, the property owner must fill out a sworn statement of understanding that the residence cannot be sold or offered for sale within one year of completion. For more information, please contact the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board. Plan, permit, and inspection requirements are the same whether the residence is constructed by the owner or a licensed home builder. However, strict rules apply to those superintending the work as well as contract amounts for contractors working directly for an owner. For more detailed requirements, consult Alabama General Contractors Licensure Board Rules and Regulations 230-X-1-.07.
Q. May I build my own commercial building, acting as my own general contractor?
A. Yes, with certain exceptions. A property owner can act as their own general contractor and build their own commercial building. However, strict rules apply to those superintending the work as well as contract amounts for contractors working directly for an owner. For more detailed requirements, please consult Alabama General Contractors Licensure Board Rules and Regulations 230-X-1-.07. Plan, permit, and inspection requirements are the same whether the commercial building is constructed by the owner or a licensed general contractor.
Q. Can a home builder work on commercial property or a general contractor work on a residence?
A. Possibly. A person or firm that possesses a license issued through the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board can perform work on a commercial property, but their contract amount cannot be $50,000 or greater. A person or firm with a license issued through the Alabama Contractors Licensure Board can work on residential properties, but their contract amount cannot be $10,000 or greater unless their license was issued prior to January 1, 1992, and was issued with the Building Construction category. For answers to specific questions, please contact the respective licensure boards.
Q. I have submitted a business license application to operate in Sylacauga and have been told that I will have to have the building inspected prior to the issuance of the Business License. Why?
A. The City of Sylacauga requires that both our Building Inspector and Fire Marshal perform a business license inspection on a building where business activities are proposed prior to the issuance of a business license for the on-going business. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that there are no life-safety issues within the building and that the building has been properly maintained and is safe for occupancy. If there are issues noted during the inspection that needs to be corrected, you will be given an inspection report detailing the issues. Please remember that it is the license applicant’s (business owner) responsibility to contact the person(s) that performed the inspection to notify them that the noted issues have been resolved and the building is ready for re-inspection.
Q. What building and property codes have been adopted and are enforced by the City of Sylacauga?
A. The City of Sylacauga currently applies the following codes. Please refer to Ordinance 2225-20 for details and exceptions.
2015 International Building Code
2015 International Residential Code
2015 International Plumbing Code
2015 International Mechanical Code
2015 International Fuel Gas Code
2015 International Property Maintenance Code
2015 International Fire Code
2019 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72)
2020 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
A. A building permit is required on all non-federal new construction, remodeling, and/or repair projects.
Q. How is an inspection requested from the City's Planning & Code Department?
A. To schedule an inspection, call 256-401-2425 and provide the permit number and address. All inspections must be requested 24 hours in advance.
Q. Do I need a permit to work on my own property?
A. It depends. If a residential property owner of record (as on a property’s deed) is painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, installing cabinets, countertops, or similar finish work themselves on their own residential property without hiring any of the work out to independent contractors, a permit is not required. Any work outside the limits of the above listed work will need a permit on residential projects. For commercial projects, there are no exclusions, and any work will need to be permitted, regardless if the work is being performed by a contractor or the owner.
Q. May I work on my own natural/propane gas system without hiring a licensed professional?
A. No. State laws does not allow property owners to work on their own natural/propane gas system. Work must be performed by a licensed gas fitter; however, state code does allow certain exemptions for Public Utilities and Maintenance Engineers. Permits and inspections are required.
Q. Are there any special licensing and/or permit requirements for contractors?
A. Yes. At a minimum, all companies or persons who perform any work, regardless of the cost, must have both their Sylacauga Business License and Proof of Liability insurance.
Q. May I build my own residence, acting as my own home builder?
A. Yes, with certain exceptions. A property owner can act as their own bome builder and build their own residence, but, per the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Law, the property owner must fill out a sworn statement of understanding that the residence cannot be sold or offered for sale within one year of completion. For more information, please contact the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board. Plan, permit, and inspection requirements are the same whether the residence is constructed by the owner or a licensed home builder. However, strict rules apply to those superintending the work as well as contract amounts for contractors working directly for an owner. For more detailed requirements, consult Alabama General Contractors Licensure Board Rules and Regulations 230-X-1-.07.
Q. May I build my own commercial building, acting as my own general contractor?
A. Yes, with certain exceptions. A property owner can act as their own general contractor and build their own commercial building. However, strict rules apply to those superintending the work as well as contract amounts for contractors working directly for an owner. For more detailed requirements, please consult Alabama General Contractors Licensure Board Rules and Regulations 230-X-1-.07. Plan, permit, and inspection requirements are the same whether the commercial building is constructed by the owner or a licensed general contractor.
Q. Can a home builder work on commercial property or a general contractor work on a residence?
A. Possibly. A person or firm that possesses a license issued through the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board can perform work on a commercial property, but their contract amount cannot be $50,000 or greater. A person or firm with a license issued through the Alabama Contractors Licensure Board can work on residential properties, but their contract amount cannot be $10,000 or greater unless their license was issued prior to January 1, 1992, and was issued with the Building Construction category. For answers to specific questions, please contact the respective licensure boards.
Q. I have submitted a business license application to operate in Sylacauga and have been told that I will have to have the building inspected prior to the issuance of the Business License. Why?
A. The City of Sylacauga requires that both our Building Inspector and Fire Marshal perform a business license inspection on a building where business activities are proposed prior to the issuance of a business license for the on-going business. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that there are no life-safety issues within the building and that the building has been properly maintained and is safe for occupancy. If there are issues noted during the inspection that needs to be corrected, you will be given an inspection report detailing the issues. Please remember that it is the license applicant’s (business owner) responsibility to contact the person(s) that performed the inspection to notify them that the noted issues have been resolved and the building is ready for re-inspection.
Q. What building and property codes have been adopted and are enforced by the City of Sylacauga?
A. The City of Sylacauga currently applies the following codes. Please refer to Ordinance 2225-20 for details and exceptions.
2015 International Building Code
2015 International Residential Code
2015 International Plumbing Code
2015 International Mechanical Code
2015 International Fuel Gas Code
2015 International Property Maintenance Code
2015 International Fire Code
2019 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72)
2020 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)