Birmingham Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

Birmingham’s Planning, Engineering & Permits department processes building and associated trade-permit applications within the city. The city says the permitting process begins at City Hall Room 210, where staff establish a case number and route plans to Planning, Fire, Building, and other reviewers as required.

Birmingham online permit center

The city’s Online Permit Center allows applicants to apply online for available permits, make payments, track application and inspection status, and print permits. The city directs applicants to create an account in its Accela service and notes that some permit applications are not yet available online.

Have the site address, applicant details, licensed-professional information, project-specific documents, and payment information ready. For permit types not available online, use the city’s permitting division instructions or contact the front counter.

Inspections and certificate of occupancy

The Inspection Services Division enforces adopted building codes within Birmingham and conducts inspections for issued permits, including building, electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical work. The city says inspections can be scheduled during the posted morning window and that, after all trades are complete, the signed card is returned to Planning, Engineering, and Permits for a certificate of occupancy or completion.

The permitting division lists (205) 254-2904 at City Hall, Room 210, 710 20th Street North. Use the official city pages for current permit types, fees, portal availability, and inspection instructions.