Bolthole Index

Baldwin County, Alabama

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in the Town of Elberta, Alabama

The Town of Elberta, Alabama has its own zoning ordinance, and a Land Use Certificate from the town's Planning Department comes before any building permit12. Building permits themselves are issued by the Baldwin County Building Department, which covers Elberta3. Septic permits come from the Baldwin County Health Department4.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, the Town of Elberta has its own zoning ordinance and districts15
Building permit
Required; issued by Baldwin County after the town's Land Use Certificate26
Septic permit
Required; Baldwin County Health Department74
Owner-builder
Available when the owner does the work personally; permits and town approval still apply8
Manufactured homes
Allowed in certain residential zones if HUD-compliant9
Lots without public water or sewer
40,000 square feet and 120 feet wide for subdivision lots10

Who to call

Zoning

Town of Elberta Planning Department

Zoning, Land Use Certificates and site-plan approval for property inside Elberta town limits

251-986-5995

[email protected]

13052 Main Street

Building permits

Baldwin County Building Department

Building permits and inspections for construction inside the Town of Elberta and unincorporated Baldwin County

Online permits →

Septic permits

Baldwin County Health Department (Environmental and Vital Statistics)

Onsite sewage (septic) permits and inspections, including inside Elberta

251-947-3618

22251 Palmer Street, P.O. Box 369, Robertsdale, Alabama 36567

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 15, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Elberta means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Elberta, Alabama have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and lot size?

Yes. The Town of Elberta adopts and enforces its own zoning ordinance for land inside town limits1. The town publishes a district table covering R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, GB, B, NB, B-1, M-1 and PUD districts, and setbacks and other standards depend on the district your lot falls in5. Confirm your parcel's district with the Town of Elberta Planning Department before you buy11.

Manufactured homes are allowed in certain residential zones when they carry a HUD certification, the Zoning Enforcement Officer reviews compatibility, and a building permit is issued9. We could not confirm the town's rules for tiny homes, accessory dwelling units, minimum house size, or camping and RV living outside an RV park, so ask the Planning Department directly. Where a lot has neither public water nor sewer, a subdivision lot must be at least 40,000 square feet and 120 feet wide10.

Do you need a building permit in Elberta, and who issues it?

Yes. Building, repair, demolition, relocation and enlargement work inside Elberta town limits needs a building permit, and the Town of Elberta needs to approve a Land Use Certificate or administrative site plan first2. The permit itself comes from the Baldwin County Building Department, not from a town building office312.

For Elberta properties, apply for the Land Use Certificate and receive approval from the town's Planning & Zoning Department before submitting a building permit application6. County permit applications are filed online through the Baldwin County CitizenServe Portal, and most types can also be filed in person at county permitting offices13. Fee schedules for building and planning permits are published on the Baldwin County site14.

Can you build your own house in Elberta, and what inspections follow?

An owner can act as their own builder inside Elberta by entering "Property Owner" in the contractor section and, where it applies, submitting the State of Alabama Home Builders Licensure Law exemption form8. The exemption covers licensing only; the building permit, code compliance and the town's land-use approval all still apply8.

Inspections depend on the project, and work started before an inspection is approved is at the permit holder's and property owner's risk15. New one- and two-family dwellings receive a certificate of occupancy after final inspection, and the building may not be occupied until it is issued16.

How do septic permits work inside Elberta?

Septic permits for Elberta addresses come from the Baldwin County Health Department, under Alabama state law, not from the town417. Alabama law requires a permit before installing a new onsite sewage system or repairing an existing one7.

A registered soils professional performs the soil test, an engineer designs the system if the soil shows site restrictions, and a licensed installer does the work after the permit is issued7. The installer must call the health department for an inspection before covering the system18. Across Baldwin County, only about 9% of soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system19.

Building a home in Elberta: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and what it allows with the town Planning Department11.
  2. If the lot has no public sewer, start a soil test and septic application with the Baldwin County Health Department7.
  3. Get a Land Use Certificate or site-plan approval from the town6.
  4. Register in the Baldwin County CitizenServe Portal and submit the building permit application6.
  5. If the lot is in a FEMA flood zone, expect a separate flood permit and habitable space above base flood elevation plus 1 foot20.
  6. Pass the required inspections, then the final inspection for your certificate of occupancy16.

What stays with Baldwin County, and what to check before you buy in Elberta?

Septic permits, the county building permit and inspections stay with Baldwin County even though the lot is inside town limits43. The county's unincorporated-area rules do not apply inside the town; for land outside town limits see the Baldwin County page.

Check flood status first: land in a Floodway District may not be platted for residential building sites20. Confirm road frontage, since a principal use needs frontage on a public street with a right-of-way of at least 60 feet unless an existing right-of-way is narrower21. Baldwin County's effective property tax rate is 0.3%, with a median bill of $881 a year2223.

Watch-outs

  • Do not apply for a building permit before the town's Land Use Certificate is approved, because the county requires it first6.
  • We could not confirm Elberta's rules on private wells, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, short-term rentals or minimum house size; call the Town of Elberta Planning Department before you buy11.
  • Manufactured homes, modular buildings and accessory structures do not receive certificates of occupancy16.

Sources

  1. Elberta Code of Ordinances, Appendix B Zoning, Section 7.2 Manufactured homes (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  2. Baldwin County Permit Application Checklists (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  3. Baldwin County Building Codes and Regulations (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  4. Alabama Department of Public Health, Baldwin County Onsite Sewage Disposal (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  5. Elberta Code of Ordinances, Section 9.5 Minimum setbacks (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  6. Baldwin County Permit Application Checklists (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  7. Alabama Department of Public Health, Baldwin County Onsite Sewage Disposal (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  8. Baldwin County Permit Application Checklists (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  9. Elberta Code of Ordinances, Appendix B Zoning, Section 7.2 Manufactured homes (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  10. Elberta Code of Ordinances, Section 5.6 Lots (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  11. Town of Elberta Planning Department (townofelberta.com)
  12. Baldwin County Building Department (baldwincountyal.gov)
  13. Permitting FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  14. Baldwin County Permit Fee Schedules (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  15. Baldwin County Inspection FAQs (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  16. Baldwin County Permitting FAQs (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  17. Baldwin County Health Department (Environmental and Vital Statistics) (alabamapublichealth.gov)
  18. Alabama Department of Public Health, Baldwin County Onsite Sewage Disposal (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Elberta Code of Ordinances, Section 5.2 General requirements (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  21. Elberta Code of Ordinances, Section 5.6 Lots (Town of Elberta), quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 15, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Elberta

Town of Elberta’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Elberta town limits.

    • The Town of Elberta zoning ordinance contains district requirements and special provisions.
    “the following front, rear and side yard setbacks shall apply in districts as listed:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Elberta town limits.

    • The official district-requirements table identifies R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, GB, B, NB, B-1, M-1, and PUD districts.
    • District-specific standards and special provisions apply by district.
    “r-a 40 30 30 15 40 30 r-1 35 35 30 10 30 25 r-2 35 35 35 10 35 35 r-3* 35 35 35 10 35 35 gb 20 20 20 b 20 20 nb”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential subdivision lots inside Elberta town limits.

    • Where neither public water nor sewer is provided, the minimum is 40,000 square feet and 120-foot minimum width.
    • Where either public water or centralized wastewater collection and treatment is provided, the minimum is 15,000 square feet unless health requirements require more.
    • Where public water and sewer are provided, the minimum is 8,000 square feet unless zoning or mobile-home-park subdivision requirements require more or less.
    • Additional lot area may be required by the County Health Department.

    minimum lot area without public water and sewer: >= 40000 square feet (minimum lot width 120 feet) · minimum lot area with either public water or centralized wastewater: >= 15000 square feet (unless additional area is required by Health Department) · minimum lot area with public water and sewer: >= 8000 square feet (unless zoning or mobile-home-park subdivision requirements require more or less)

    “where public water and sewer is not provided, said lot shall be a minimum of forty thousand (40,000) square feet in area with a minimum lot width of 120 feet.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    HUD-compliant manufactured homes in residential zones inside Elberta town limits.

    • Homes lacking HUD standards and a permanently attached HUD Stamp Certification may not be installed, erected, or permitted.
    • The Zoning Enforcement Officer must review compatibility.
    • Contractors must be licensed by Alabama and by the Town of Elberta.
    • A building permit is required.
    • Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission or other listed construction standards apply.
    “A manufactured home which otherwise qualifies as a single-family dwelling unit under Section 6.2 hereof, shall be allowed to be placed or erected in certain residential zones upon compliance with the following requirements:”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal for mobile-home spaces inside Elberta mobile-home parks.

    • The private sewer or septic tank system must comply with county health department requirements and present no health hazard.
    • Public sewer is an alternative where used.
    “the sewer in each space shall be connected to discharge the mobile home waste into a public sewer system in compliance with any applicable ordinance or into a private sewer and disposal plant or septic tank system of such construction and in such a manner as will comply with the county health department requirements and present no health hazard.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and development inside Elberta town limits.

    • The Town Planning Commission may impose requirements concerning natural features, unsuitable land, wetlands, floodways, access, and watercourses.
    • Residential lots must satisfy the applicable zoning requirements where zoning applies.
    “the subdivision plat shall provide each lot with satisfactory access to an existing street as provided in section 5.3.10.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Residential subdivision lots and principal uses inside Elberta town limits.

    • Each residential subdivision lot must have satisfactory access to an existing street.
    • Each principal use must be on a lot or parcel with frontage on a public street having a right-of-way of at least 60 feet, except where an existing right-of-way is narrower.
    • Additional driveway permitting may apply.

    public-street right-of-way for principal use: >= 60 feet (existing public rights-of-way narrower than 60 feet may qualify)

    “the subdivision plat shall provide each lot with satisfactory access to an existing street as provided in section 5.3.10.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Elberta

Town of Elberta does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, repair, demolition, conversion, change of use, structural alteration, relocation, removal, or enlargement of buildings or structures inside Elberta town limits.

    • A Town of Elberta Land Use Certificate or administrative site-plan approval must be obtained before submitting the building permit application.
    • Permit requirements may vary by project type.
    “Zoning - Administrative Site Plan Approvals or Land Use Certificates are required for any property located in a ZONED AREA of the County or within the municipal limits of Elberta, Magnolia Springs, or Perdido Beach for the construction, reconstruction, repair, demolition, conversion / change of use, structural alteration, relocation, removal, or enlargement of any building or structure to verify that the structure will comply with the applicable Zoning Ordinance.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A property owner performing construction personally inside Elberta town limits.

    • The owner must be doing the work themselves rather than hiring a contractor.
    • The applicant must enter Property Owner in the contractor section and, if applicable, submit the State of Alabama Home Builders Licensure Law Exemption or General Contractors Licensure Law Exemption form.
    • Other permit, code, and town land-use requirements remain applicable.
    “If the property owner will be doing the work themselves (not hiring a contractor), enter "Property Owner" in the contractor section and, if applicable, submit one of the following forms: (1) State of Alabama Home Builders Licensure Law Exemption or (2) State of Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors Licensure Law Exemption.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building-code enforcement for construction inside Elberta town limits through the Baldwin County building-permit process.

    • The listed model codes include local amendments and modifications.
    • Elberta applicants must obtain town land-use approval before submitting a building permit application.
    “2024 international building code (ibc) - with local amendments 2024 international residential code (irc) - with local amendments”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Elberta town limits.

    • Required inspections depend on the project and adopted code.
    • Work started before inspection approval is at the permit holder's and property owner's risk.
    • Final inspection is required for certificate-of-occupancy projects.
    “Any work started before this inspection is approved is done at the permit holder’s and property owner’s risk.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, and changes in residential use inside Elberta town limits.

    • The certificate is issued after final inspection.
    • Certificates are not issued for accessory structures, manufactured homes, modular buildings, or park model units.
    • A building or structure may not be used or occupied until the certificate is issued.
    “For projects regulated under the International Residential Code, a Certificate of Occupancy is issued after final inspection for all new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage systems inside Elberta town limits.

    • Alabama state law supplies the permit requirement.
    • The local health department reviews applications, visits sites, issues permits, and performs inspections.
    • Baldwin County residents submit soil-test materials to the health department.
    “Alabama state law requires owners of property to obtain a permit from the local health department prior to installing a new onsite sewage disposal system or making repairs to an existing system.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New onsite sewage systems and repairs to existing systems inside Elberta town limits.

    • A registered soils professional must perform the soil test.
    • A registered engineer must design the system if soil results indicate site restrictions.
    • An application and appropriate fee are submitted to the health department.
    • A licensed installer performs the work after permit issuance.
    “a permit will be issued to the owner when all requirements have been met.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Onsite sewage systems installed or repaired inside Elberta town limits.

    • The installer must contact the health department before covering the system.
    “the installer must contact the health department for an inspection before covering the system.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development and subdivision in flood-prone areas inside Elberta town limits.

    • Land within a Floodway District may not be platted for residential occupancy or building sites.
    • Special Flood Hazard Area construction requires a flood permit in addition to applicable building permits.
    • Floodplain construction must comply with Baldwin County-adopted codes and floodplain ordinance.
    • Habitable area must be above base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard.
    • Additional elevation certificates and design-professional requirements may apply.

    freeboard above base flood elevation: >= 1 foot

    “land within any floodway district shall not be platted for residential occupancy or building sites.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building, planning, and driveway permitting associated with property inside Elberta town limits.

    • The official county page publishes links to Building Department and Planning and Zoning fee schedules.
    • Minor residential and agricultural driveway permits have no fees.
    • Commercial and major residential driveway permits are processed through Planning and Zoning.
    “there are no fees required for minor residential and agricultural driveway permits. commercial and major residential driveway permits are processed through the planning and zoning department.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building-permit process for construction inside Elberta town limits.

    • Register in the Baldwin County CitizenServe Portal.
    • Obtain the Elberta Land Use Certificate before submitting the building permit application.
    • Submit project scope, property, contractor, valuation, and required code documents.
    • Additional sewer or septic releases may be required for applicable projects.
    “For the municipal limits of Elberta, Magnolia Springs, or Perdido Beach, you should apply for the Land Use Certificate and receive approval from the town's Planning & Zoning Department BEFORE submitting a building permit application.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Elberta or Baldwin County directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Elberta town limits.
  • Lot coverage — Principal residential buildings inside Elberta town limits.
  • Building height — Principal residential buildings inside Elberta town limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping outside a regulated recreational-vehicle park inside Elberta town limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Elberta town limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Elberta publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Baldwin County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Baldwin County: county rules, score and offices