FAQ’s
The Building Department’s area of jurisdiction, in accordance with Section 11-40-10 of the Code of Alabama, includes the corporate limits and its Planning Jurisdiction which extends 3 miles beyond the corporate limits of Florence, with some exceptions. The Tennessee River serves as the boundary on the east and south sides of the City. Another exception would be the jurisdiction belonging to St. Florian.
The Building Department assigns street addresses within the City of Florence. 911 assigns addresses outside the city.
Building permits are required not only for new construction, additions and renovations, but also for the demolition or moving of structures, electrical changeovers, electrical upgrades, construction of parking lots, garages, carports, swimming pools, most storage buildings, and signs. When in doubt about whether a permit is required for a specific project, please contact the Building Department.
Building permits are required for new construction, additions, renovations to dwelling, storage buildings (over 200 square foot), swimming pools, demolitions or moving of structures, electrical changeovers, electrical upgrades, garages, carports, signs, replacement of windows, construction or repair of decks & roof replacement. Fences do not require a building permit. You may put the fence on your property line but you may not cross over your property line. It is best to have the property surveyed. When in doubt about whether a permit is required for a specific project, please contact the Building Department @ 256-760-6325.
Any electrical residential or commercial work within the city limits must be performed by a qualified licensed electrician. You must have a State of Alabama & City of Florence license. Persons doing any wiring in their own home must first past the qualification test set up by the Electrical Inspector. The fee is $5.00 with a 3 hour test time. All cell phones must be left in the Building Department while testing. If you own rental property the test is not applicable. It is only for your home. Please call the Building Department @ 256-760-6325 to reserve a time. Any residential plumbing can be performed by the homeowner, however it must comply with International Plumbing code. Any commercial plumbing must be done by a State of Alabama & City of Florence licensed contractor. Gas work must be performed by a State of Alabama & City of Florence licensed contractor.
Permit applications may be picked up in the Building Department, or if requested, received by fax or mail. Some types of permits can be issued at the time the application is filed. Other types require review of detailed drawings, which must be submitted and approved; these include, new residential construction (excluding most accessory structures), commercial and industrial jobs, and signs. New residential construction drawings can usually be reviewed, and a permit issued within two or three working days.
In addition to Building Department review, drawings for commercial and industrial jobs are also examined by other departments. Depending upon the complexity of the drawings, a permit for a commercial/industrial job can normally be issued within ten to fifteen working days.
The work for which a permit has been issued must be started within six months of the issue date. As long as work has started within the six month period and reasonable work progress is made on the job, the permit is valid.
Permit fees for new residential construction are based on the square footage. Permit fees for commercial and industrial jobs are based on the cost of construction. Sign permits are based upon the valuation plus installation cost of signage. A contractor license fee is applied to permits, for work performed inside the City Limits. See Building Department Fee Schedule for more information.
A permit is required within the three (3) mile planning jurisdiction; however a City contractor’s license or license fee is not required. State Licensing regulations still apply within the Planning Jurisdiction. Zoning regulations do not apply within the jurisdiction outside the city limits with the exception of property that has been “zoned” and designated as “extra-territorial”, in accordance with Legislative Act No. 2135.
For residential jobs (1) set of drawings are needed. The drawings must have a framing lay out if not engineered trusses. The building department keeps the set of drawings. For commercial and industrial jobs, a minimum of (6) sets complete sets of drawings are required, along with two additional site plans including landscape drawings, plus an additional set of electrical drawings.
In addition to a permit application, a drawing of all proposed signage is required. A site plan is also required for ground supported signs. Sign permits are issued separately from building permits. For more information contact Derek Poole (256) 760-6336 or dpoole@florenceal.org
Please see attached document.
It is the contractor’s responsibility to call the Building Department (256-760-6325), and request an inspection. Depending upon the volume of inspection requests, an inspection called in during the morning can normally be made in the afternoon. Inspections called in during the afternoon will normally be made the following week day morning. The first inspection begins at 9:00am and the last inspection is 3:30pm.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
- (256) 760-6325
- Building Department Municipal Building Room 216 110 West College Street Florence, AL 35630
- Email us
Building Department Contact Details
Phone Number:
(256) 760-6325
Address:
110 West College St.
Suite 216
Florence, AL 35630
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: Closed