Baldwin County Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Does Baldwin County Issue Permits for Your Property?

County boundaries and permit jurisdiction are not always the same. Baldwin County’s Building Department serves unincorporated areas and the towns of Elberta, Magnolia Springs, and Perdido Beach.

Properties within other municipalities generally use their municipal building departments. Silverhill and Summerdale also exercise permitting authority in certain police-jurisdiction areas outside their corporate limits.

1. Find your property address, parcel number, or PIN.
2. Open the county’s official permitting guidance and review the jurisdiction instructions.
3. Confirm whether the property is inside municipal limits or another permitting jurisdiction.
4. If uncertain, call 251-972-6837 before submitting an application.

Building Permits: What Work Requires Approval?

In the county’s jurisdiction, permits are generally required for the following regulated work.

Important Shed and Deck Exemptions

Baldwin County’s adopted rules contain specific exceptions, but they do not apply to every property.

• Detached residential accessory structures: A one-story detached structure of up to 400 square feet may be exempt when there is an existing primary residential dwelling and the structure is outside a flood zone.
• Detached commercial or multifamily accessory structures: Certain one-story storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures of up to 120 square feet may be exempt outside flood zones.
• Residential decks: Outside flood zones, a deck of no more than 400 square feet may qualify for exemption if it is no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling or townhouse, and does not serve the required exit door.

Other zoning, utility, environmental, or building-code requirements can still apply. Verify your exact project before treating any work as permit-exempt.

How to Apply for a Baldwin County Building Permit

Most applicants can complete the process online without visiting an office. Use these steps to avoid incomplete submissions.

1. Confirm your property and project. Check the permitting jurisdiction, applicable zoning, floodplain conditions, and required permit category.
2. Prepare your application documents. Collect plans, site information, required releases, contractor licensing information, and other project-specific documents. Use the official permit checklists.
3. Open CitizenServe. Visit Baldwin County’s official CitizenServe access page. Register or sign in as a property owner or contractor.
4. Choose the correct application. Select the Building Department permit application appropriate for residential, commercial/multifamily, trade work, or another service.
5. Enter the project details. Provide the property location, proposed work, owner and contractor details, and other required fields. Upload the supporting PDFs or documents.
6. Submit and monitor review. Check the portal’s review messages. Correct missing information and upload any additional documents requested by the department.
7. Pay and obtain the issued permit. Most building permit fees become payable after review and approval. When the status changes to “Approved/Payment Required,” complete payment and verify that the permit status changes to “Issued” before starting permitted work.

Documents Commonly Needed for a New Home

For new residential construction, prepare the following, subject to your property’s circumstances:

• Completed residential building permit application.
• Address request, verification, or correction letter through Baldwin County 911.
• Digital construction plans, drawn to scale and signed and sealed by an Alabama-licensed architect or engineer.
• Scaled site plan showing structures, dimensions, and distances from property lines.
• Driveway or culvert approval information from the responsible road authority.
• Sewer utility release or Health Department septic approval.
• Proof of ownership if the deed or ownership information is not yet reflected in applicable county records.
• Floodplain, zoning, and other supporting approvals when applicable.

Commercial construction: The county generally requires plans signed and sealed by both an Alabama-licensed architect and engineer. Smaller residential alterations and accessory projects may qualify for reduced plan requirements.

For septic questions, contact the Baldwin County Health Department at 251-947-3618.

Permit Fees and Processing Times

Baldwin County calculates permit fees based on project type, valuation, size, and applicable charges. There is no single flat fee covering every building project.

These published charges come from the county’s fee schedule; the actual total may include construction valuation, trade permits, plan review, zoning, coastal, or other applicable charges.

Payment: After the application reaches the payment-required stage, select My Account → View My Requests → View My Bldg Dept → Permit Number → Make a Payment in CitizenServe. Card payments are available online; cash or checks may be paid at permitting offices.

Check the official current fee schedule before budgeting or making payment.

How to Schedule a Building Inspection

The permit holder is responsible for arranging required inspections. Baldwin County does not offer same-day inspections; requests must be made at least one day in advance.

1. Open CitizenServe and sign in.
2. Select View My Requests and then View My Bldg Dept.
3. Find your permit number. If it is missing, select the All tab and expand the date range.
4. Open the permit and select Request an Inspection.
5. Choose the inspection type and requested date, add any useful notes, and select Submit.
6. Confirm that the inspection request was submitted. After the inspection, review the report in the portal or the email sent to the permit holder.

Common Inspection Stages

• Site and foundation: Relevant site controls, underground utilities, footings, reinforcement, and slab preparation.
• Rough-in / 4-Way: Framing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and applicable gas or fire protection work before concealment.
• Energy and insulation: Required building envelope and insulation checks.
• Final: Completed work, building safety features, trade systems, and applicable site/zoning compliance.

Required inspections depend on the permit and work involved. Do not cover concealed work before its required inspection is approved. A requested 4-Way inspection may be cancelled if necessary trade permits have not been issued.

See the county’s inspection preparation requirements for detailed inspection types.

Office Locations, Contact Details & Hours

Baldwin County provides permitting assistance at four office locations. Office schedules and temporary closures may change, so verify before traveling.

Offices may close for lunch, holidays, training, or staffing needs. The Bay Minette location has especially variable availability.

Phone: 251-972-6837 | Email: Permitting@BaldwinCountyAL.gov

View official office hours, directions, and closure notices.

Building Codes Adopted in Baldwin County

As listed in the county’s current adopted-code resources, the following editions took effect March 5, 2025, under Baldwin County Commission Resolution No. 2025-067.

The county also enforces applicable floodplain development and beach-and-dune protection requirements. Code editions and local amendments must be considered together; a standard national code edition alone does not show every local requirement.

Read the official adopted codes, amendments, and modification documents.

Flood Zones, Coastal Construction & Additional Approvals

Baldwin County’s coastal location makes flood and wind-related requirements especially important for many properties. Projects within Special Flood Hazard Areas may require additional engineering, elevation documentation, and floodplain permits.

• Flood zones: Review the property’s FEMA designation and the county’s applicable floodplain-development rules.
• Coastal construction: Beach and dune regulations may affect structures, access, and site work.
• Driveways: County or state highway access approvals may be necessary.
• Septic systems: Properties without public sewer may require Health Department approval.
• Zoning and setbacks: Confirm land use, building placement, lot restrictions, and related approvals before purchasing materials.

Start with the FEMA Flood Map Service Center for flood-zone information. Then confirm the project’s specific obligations with Baldwin County. Online map results are useful screening tools, not substitutes for formal approvals.

Check Permit Status, Records & Certificates of Occupancy

You can monitor an active application through CitizenServe:

1. Sign in and open My Account → View My Requests.
2. Select View My Bldg Dept, then your permit number.
3. Review its status, review comments, issue date, and expiration date.
4. Use the Documents tab to find approved construction plans and other available files.

A permit is not valid merely because an application exists or has been approved for payment. Fees must be paid and an issue date posted; verify that the permit remains active.

Searching Older Permits

• On or after November 1, 2020: Use the CitizenServe permit search.
• Before November 1, 2020: Use the county’s older Building Permits Link system.
• Certificates of Occupancy: Search the Certificate of Occupancy option in CitizenServe.
• Elevation Certificates: Search the county’s elevation-certificate records, beginning with the street number if necessary.

Access official permit searches and record instructions.

When Is a Certificate of Occupancy Issued?

For projects requiring a Certificate of Occupancy, the county issues it after necessary permits and documents are on file and the applicable Building Department Final and Planning and Zoning Site Final inspections are approved.

The county advises allowing up to two business days after final approval. The certificate is emailed to the permit holder and made available in CitizenServe. Certificates are not issued for every type of structure; the county identifies exclusions including accessory structures and manufactured homes.

Permit Expiration, Extensions & Common Problems

Under the county’s adopted building-code requirements, permits generally become invalid when authorized work does not begin within 180 days, or when qualifying work or inspection progress stops for 180 days. For residential permits, more than 180 days between inspections may result in expiration.

If construction is progressing, arrange a required or qualifying progress inspection before expiration. If work has not progressed, request an extension before the permit expires. Expired permits may require a reactivation application, fees, and renewed approvals.

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers address the most common questions about Baldwin County, Alabama building permits and inspections.

Official Baldwin County Building Resources

These government resources provide the official applications, rules, and records referenced in this guide.

• Building Department homepage — Department services and jurisdiction.
• CitizenServe permit portal — Apply, pay, manage applications, and schedule inspections.
• Permit application checklists — Required documents by project type.
• Permit fee schedules — Official building and related fees.
• Inspection requirements — Scheduling and preparation.
• Adopted building codes — Code editions, amendments, and official documents.
• Permit records search — Issued permits, reports, and certificates.
• Department contact directory — Office locations, staff contacts, and hours.

Information reviewed: October 2026. This independent guide describes Baldwin County, Alabama government services and is not an official county website. Requirements, fees, and operating schedules may change. Verify project-specific details with the responsible agency.