Montgomery permits run through the Inspection Department, 25 Washington Ave., 334-625-2073. Zoning: Land Use Division, 334-625-2722. Hearings and rules.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Montgomery’s Inspections, inspection and permit FAQ, Planning, Land Use Division, Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment pages.
Building, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits in Montgomery come from the city’s Inspection Department, 25 Washington Ave., open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 334-625-2073. Zoning, rezoning, variances and historic district approvals go through the Land Use Division of the Planning Department, 334-625-2722. Start with the city’s Permitting: All the Basics brochure (PDF).
Who to call
- Inspection Department (permits, inspections): 334-625-2073, 25 Washington Ave.
- Land Use Division (zoning, rezoning, variances, plats): 334-625-2722, landuse@montgomeryal.gov
- Planning Department: 334-625-2713
- Historic preservation coordinator: 334-625-2041
- Tent permits (Montgomery Fire Rescue): 334-625-3916
- Outside the city limits: Montgomery County Engineering, 334-832-1310
How to apply
- Building permits: the city’s online building permit application.
- Electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits: register on the online permitting portal, choose the permit type and complete every required field.
- Sign permits: the sign permit application, once the Land Use Division approves the sign (334-625-2731).
- In person: call 334-625-2073 for an appointment, and bring completed forms and any other approvals.
The department takes checks and credit or debit cards, not cash. Residential plans are typically approved within five working days and commercial plans within 10, longer when another department such as Land Use must sign off.
Inspections
- Morning inspections must be requested before 8:30 a.m. the same day.
- Afternoon inspections must be requested before 1 p.m. the same day.
- Later requests roll to the next available time.
Since Oct. 1, 2024, the city enforces the 2024 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Property Maintenance and Swimming Pool and Spa codes, the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code (ordinance).
Do I need a permit?
| Project | Permit? |
|---|---|
| Fence over 3 feet, new or replacement | Yes, with a site plan |
| Shed, portable or storage building | Yes, with a drawing of the lot |
| Replacement windows | Yes |
| Roof, like-for-like materials | No |
| Roof with new material, slope or bracing | Yes, with a structural engineer’s approval |
| Business sign | Yes, after Land Use approval |
| Event tent | Yes, from Montgomery Fire Rescue |
Pools need a fence at least 48 inches high, no more than 2 inches off grass or gravel (4 inches off concrete), with openings that will not pass a 4-inch ball and a self-closing, self-latching gate that opens outward.
Building your own home? You can act as your own contractor if you live in the house for at least a year after the certificate of occupancy and sign an affidavit saying so. Gas piping must be done by a licensed contractor, and anyone you hire needs an Alabama license and a valid City of Montgomery license.
Permits expire if work does not start within 180 days, or stops for 180 days.
Zoning, rezoning and variances
The Land Use Division runs the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations and Historic Ordinance, and staffs four boards that hold monthly public hearings:
| Board | What it hears | When and where | Next hearings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planning Commission | Development plans, plats, street renaming, rezoning recommendations to the City Council | 5 p.m., fourth Thursday (second Thursday in November and December), Council Chambers, City Hall, 103 N. Perry St. | Thursday, Oct. 22; Thursday, Nov. 12; Thursday, Dec. 10 |
| Board of Adjustment | Variances and special exceptions | 5 p.m., third Thursday, Council Auditorium, City Hall | Thursday, Nov. 19; Thursday, Dec. 17 |
| Historic Preservation Commission | Changes to properties in historic districts | Monthly | See the city calendar |
| Architectural Review Board | Design review | Monthly | See the city calendar |
Both the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment have nine members appointed by the City Council. Agendas go on the city calendar, usually a week ahead, and meetings are recorded on the city’s MontgomeryCCC YouTube channel. Rezonings are recommended by the Planning Commission and decided by the City Council.
Check how a lot is zoned on the city’s GIS mapping tool, or ask for an official zoning verification letter.
What this means for you
- Fence, shed or windows? Pull a permit first; the city says each one needs it.
- Want to speak on a rezoning? The Planning Commission meets Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m.
- Outside the city limits or in Pike Road, the county or the town issues permits, not the city.
More guides: property taxes, who to call at City Hall and moving to Montgomery.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get a building permit in Montgomery, Alabama?
From the city’s Inspection Department, 25 Washington Ave., open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 334-625-2073. Building and sign permits are applied for online; electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits go through the online permitting portal.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Montgomery?
Yes. New and replacement fences over 3 feet high need a permit, with a site plan showing distances from buildings and property lines.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Montgomery?
Not for a like-for-like replacement. If the roofing material, slope, support or bracing changes, you need a permit and a structural engineer’s approval.
When does the Montgomery Planning Commission meet?
At 5 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month, and the second Thursday in November and December, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 103 N. Perry St. The next hearings are Oct. 22, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10.
How long does a building permit take in Montgomery?
The city says residential plans are typically approved within five working days and commercial plans within 10, though some take longer when other departments must sign off.
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