Inspection & Permit FAQ's | City of Montgomery, AL

General FAQ's

When is a permit required?

What do I do first to get a permit?

How long does it take to get a permit issued?

What methods of payment can be used to purchase a permit?

Do permits expire?

Why are permits required?

Is a fence required around a residential pool?

Yes, the top of the fence shall not be less than 48” above grade and shall exist around the perimeter. The bottom of the fence shall not exceed 2” from grade surfaces that are not solid (like grass and gravel) and 4” above grade surfaces that are solid like concrete.

Openings in the fence shall not allow passage of a 4” diameter sphere. The gate shall open outward (away from the pool), shall be self-closing, have a self-latching device, and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device.

Do I need a permit to build or replace a fence?

Do I need a permit for a shed?

Do I need a permit to replace windows?

Yes, window replacement does require a permit.

Sleeping Room Windows
The following requirements apply to sleeping room windows only. Only one window in each sleeping room must meet these requirements. These requirements are not necessary where there is a door from the sleeping room directly to the outside.

Open area or the window must be:Minimum 20 inches wide

Minimum 24 inches high
Minimum 5.0 square ft. on the ground floor
Minimum 5.7 square ft. on the upper floors

Note: The minimum width & height requirement will not meet the minimum sq. ft. requirements.

The width of the open area multiplied by the height of the open area must be:

720 square inches for downstairs or 821 square inches for upper floors

Example: Downstairs Upper Floors

Width – 26 inches Width – 27 inches
Height – 28 inches Height – 31 inches
Total = 720 square inches Total = 821 square inches

The height of the windowsill from the floor of a sleeping room cannot exceed 44 inches.

Replacement windows in bedrooms must be the same size or larger (not) smaller.

Do I need a permit to put up a business sign?

Do I need a permit to set up a tent for an event?

Do I need to get a permit to replace a roof?

It depends. When a roof is being replaced with like-for-like materials a permit is not required. Roof work being performed with changes to the initial installation including roofing material, roof slope and/or support and bracing; will require a submittal indicating the changes and approval from a structural engineer.

The plans review coordinator will review the submittal for final approval before the issuance of a permit.

Can I act as a contractor to build my own home?

Yes. However, you must physically occupy your home for no less than one year from the date the house was issued a Certificate of Occupancy. You will also be required at the time of permit issuance to sign an affidavit stating that you plan to occupy the residence. All work may be performed by the owner/builder except for gas pipe installations.

If the owner/builder hires someone else to do certain work such as plumbing or heating and air conditioning, then Alabama-licensed contractors must be acquired, and they must have a valid City of Montgomery license.

Do multi-family dwellings require architect-stamped submittals for alterations, additions and new construction?

Are digital drawings accepted for commercial permitting?

How do I obtain information about property zoning requirements?

How do I get an electrical service-connected or re-connected after a disruption in services?

Commercial Service Re-Connect (C10)

Visit the City of Montgomery Online Permitting Portal
Log in with your Login ID and Password, then select "SIGN IN"
Choose "ELECTRICAL SERVICE RECONNECT"
- When entering the ADDRESS TO BE INSPECTED, start typing the address. Select the correct address from the dropdown list.

Select "COMMERCIAL"
- Enter unit/suite number in Additional Information if applicable.

Complete the application
Click "ADD TO CARD"
On the PAYMENT screen, enter payment details, then select "MAKE PAYMENT"

After submitting your application, the Inspection Department will contact you to schedule an inspection. Please ensure the contact phone number you provide is reliable for scheduling purposes.

Residential Service Re-Connect (R10)

Visit the City of Montgomery Online Permitting Portal

Log in with your Login ID and Password, then select "SIGN IN"
Choose "ELECTRICAL SERVICE RECONNECT"
- When entering ADDRESS TO BE INSPECTED (Start entering the address, a dropdown box will select the correct address from the dropdown)
- Select “RESIDENTIAL”
- Add unit/suite number in “Additional Information” (when applicable)
- Complete application
- Read and check the box indicating the information is accurate
- Select “ADD TO CART”

Select "PAY" at the top of the page
Now you will be in the “PAYMENT” screen. Provide payment information.
Then Select “MAKE PAYMENT”

Once application has been received, you will receive a call from the Inspection Department to setup the times for an inspection. Make sure to provide a good phone number.

How do I file a complaint on a property in the city?

Online Permitting Portal FAQ’s

What is the Online Permitting Portal?

How do I create an account?

Register for the Online Permitting Portal

Select either “Not Contractor” (for citizen use) or “Contractor” (for licensed contractors)
Fill in all required fields
Use PHYSICAL ADDRESS 2 for room or suite numbers
If your mailing address is the same as your physical address, check the “SAME AS PHYSICAL ADDRESS” box, otherwise, provide your mailing address
For INSPECTION EMAIL ADDRESS 1, use the email address that will receive inspection reports. If this email is the same as another, check “SAME AS EMAIL ADDRESS”
Complete the “IF YOU FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD” section
Review the terms and select the “I AGREE” box
Click “REGISTER” to complete your registration

How do I log in?

I forgot my password; can the password be reset?

Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) FAQ’s

What is a Certificate of Occupancy? (C.O.)

A certificate of occupancy (C.O.) is a document issued by the building department which allows for lawful occupancy or use of a building or tenant space and permits the applicant to obtain a business license.

The C.O. contains information concerning the owner or tenant, address of the building or space, a description of the portions of the building, the use intended, the building code verifications for the group and classification of the building or structure, and the approval of the Building Official.

When is a C.O. required?

When a new building is constructed and is to be occupied; Before a business or liquor license is can be issued; If an existing building or lease space is remodeled, enlarged, or altered; When any new use, tenant, or occupant is established; When any use, tenant, or occupant of any tenant or lease space is changed; If there is a change in use which would place the building or lease space in a different occupancy classification (group and/or division) as referenced in the International Building code.
No building or structure shall be erected, altered, converted, arranged, or used in a manor contrary to the allowances of the zoning ordinance. If an intended use is not allowed by current zoning regulations, there are processes set up for possible appeals and or changes to the current zoning of such properties. Therefore, if a re-zoning or appeal is needed, it follows that a certificate of occupancy cannot be issued until such time as the re-zoning or appeal is granted.

Why is a C.O. needed?

It is the final step in building construction regulations and is required by law prior to occupying and/or use of a building or space within a building. When a building is existing and undergoes a change of use/occupancy, a new C.O. is required by those same laws. Its intent is to complete the process of providing a reasonable level of safety, public health and general welfare of the built environment.

How is a C.O. obtained?

For new or remodel construction, a C.O. is typically issued at the completion of the final inspections and is generally your contractor’s responsibility to obtain. However, no one has the right to occupy the building without a C.O. and to occupy without is illegal. For an existing building, the owner or tenant must complete the C.O. Application, pay the associated fee and make arrangements for access to the building for our inspectors for inspection.

Please note, spaces containing building equipment (mechanical equipment, water heaters, electrical rooms…) must be accessible (ladder, keys, general access provided). Inspectors will provide information pertaining to the trade they represent in order for owner/tenant to make or have made the repairs if any and inform as to whether a permit is required for the work related to the trade. If no changes are needed or at the conclusion of work, a final inspection is conducted at the request of permittee and a C.O. is issued.

What do I do after a Certificate of Occupancy Permit has been submitted?

A Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) application will be sent automatically to the Land Use Dept. for approval. Once approved, the Building Dept and Montgomery Fire Dept. (MFR) will be notified. MFR and the Building Dept will contact you (2 calls) to schedule the C.O. inspections.

Please be prepared to provide access to all rooms and spaces within the facility. A ladder is to be readily accessible for inspection. We do not provide ladders.

When can I get the Certificate of Occupancy?