Bolthole Index

Dale County, Alabama

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Ozark, Alabama

Ozark, Alabama adopts its own zoning ordinance and charges building permit fees through the City's Inspection Department12. Inside city limits, septic permits are issued by the Dale County Health Department, not the City3. Where a city sewer line runs within 150 feet of the property line, the City requires owners to connect to it4.

At a glance

Zoning
City zoning ordinance with residential, rural holding, commercial and industrial districts1
Building permit fees
No fee for $1,000 or less unless an inspection is required5
Septic
Dale County Health Department issues septic permits3
Sewer connection
Required if public sewer is within 150 feet of the property line4
Minimum lot (R-1)
14,000 square feet6
Building height (R-1)
35 feet maximum7
Owner-builder
Alabama exempts owners acting as their own contractor on their own one- or two-family home8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Ozark Inspection Department

Building permits, permit fees and inspections inside Ozark city limits

(334) 774-9190

Septic permits

Dale County Health Department, Environmental Services

Onsite sewage (septic tank) applications and permits, including for addresses inside Ozark city limits

334-774-5146

532 W. Roy Parker Road, Ozark, Alabama 36360

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Ozark, AL?

Ozark runs building permits through its Inspection Department, which publishes a building permit fee schedule9. Work of $1,000 or less carries no fee unless an inspection is required, in which case each inspection costs $10.005.

For larger work the City values dwelling units at $50.00 per square foot of heated area and bases the permit fee on $2.00 per thousand of that valuation2. Starting work before getting the permit doubles the fee, according to the City's schedule2.

We could not confirm a list of which construction activities require a permit, or which building code edition Ozark enforces; ask the Inspection Department at (334) 774-91905.

Who issues building permits in Ozark, and how do you reach them?

The City of Ozark Inspection Department issues building permits inside city limits and can be reached at (334) 774-91905. The department is headed by the city's Building Official and Inspector9.

This is a city office. Dale County does not issue building permits for lots inside Ozark. Septic permits are separate and come from the Dale County Health Department at 334-774-514610.

Does Ozark have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and height?

Yes. Ozark has an adopted zoning ordinance, Appendix A of the city code, with residential, rural holding, commercial and industrial districts1. Standards differ by district, so look up the parcel's district before planning.

In the R-1 low density residential district, the minimum lot area is 14,000 square feet6, buildings may cover at most 25 percent of the lot11, and structures may be at most 35 feet tall7. In the RH rural holding district, the minimum lot area is 15,000 square feet, with the same 25 percent coverage cap1213.

Subdividing land inside the city follows the City of Ozark Subdivision Regulations14.

In contrast, unincorporated Dale County has no county zoning ordinance, so these city standards stop at the city limits15.

How do septic permits work in Ozark?

Septic permits for property inside Ozark are handled by the Dale County Health Department and the Alabama Department of Public Health, which accept applications and permits for septic tanks, grease traps and holding tanks3. A permit is required for onsite sewage systems where public sewer is not used16.

But sewer comes first. The City requires owners of property abutting a street or right-of-way with a public sanitary sewer to connect within 90 days of official notice, provided the sewer is within 150 feet of the property line4. A septic system is realistic mainly where no city sewer is that close.

An onsite system may not be covered or used until the health department inspects it and issues an Approval for Use17. Call 334-774-5146 and ask for the environmental office10. About 34.9 percent of Dale County soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field18.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Ozark?

We could not confirm Ozark rules on RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy or accessory dwelling units, because the zoning materials we reviewed did not state them. Ask the Inspection Department at (334) 774-9190 before you buy or park anything5.

Alabama law lets a HUD-labeled manufactured home serve as a place of residence19, but zoning districts still decide where one can be placed inside Ozark1.

Building a home in Ozark: the steps, in order

  1. Find the parcel's zoning district and check its lot area, coverage and height limits1.
  2. Ask the City whether public sewer is within 150 feet of the property line4.
  3. If no sewer is available, apply to the Dale County Health Department for a septic permit1610.
  4. Choose who builds. Alabama exempts owners who act as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home for their own use8.
  5. Get the building permit from the Inspection Department and pay the published fee52.
  6. Schedule inspections and, for septic, wait for the Approval for Use17.

What stays with Dale County, and what to check before you buy in Ozark?

Septic permits for every address in Dale County, city or not, come from the Dale County Health Department3.

For a driveway onto a state highway, Alabama requires a state permit for turnouts and access points20. Floodplain development permits are required in mapped flood zones21.

We could not confirm Ozark rules on private wells, agricultural exemptions, or short-term rentals; ask the Inspection Department5.

Watch-outs

  • The City's well fee of $10.00 appears on its fee schedule, but we could not confirm whether a well permit is required or who issues it5.
  • We could not confirm Ozark's adopted building code edition or certificate of occupancy rules; ask the Inspection Department at (334) 774-91905.

Sources

  1. Ozark Code, Appendix A, Article IV, Section 3, Categories of uses (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  2. Inspection Department | City of Ozark (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  3. Services | Dale County Health Department (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  4. ozarkal.gov (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  5. City of Ozark Inspection Department (ozarkal.gov)
  6. Ozark Code, Appendix A, Article IV, Section 3, Categories of uses (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  7. Ozark Code, Appendix A, Article IV, Section 3, Categories of uses (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  8. Exemptions (Alabama statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Inspection Department | City of Ozark (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  10. Dale County Health Department, Environmental Services (alabamapublichealth.gov)
  11. Ozark Code, Appendix A, Article IV, Section 3, Categories of uses (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  12. Ozark Code, Appendix A, Article IV, Section 3, Categories of uses (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  13. Ozark Code, Appendix A, Article IV, Section 3, Categories of uses (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  14. Ozark Code, Appendix A, Article IV, Section 3, Categories of uses (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  15. Alabama law on county zoning and building authority
  16. alabamapublichealth.gov (Ozark), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 420-3-1 Onsite Sewage Treatment And Disposal, quoted and re-checked
  18. 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
  19. What is a manufactured home? (Alabama statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. ALDOT Permit Manual, quoted and re-checked
  21. Dale County, Alabama Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 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 Ozark

Ozark’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Ozark city limits; Ozark has an adopted Appendix A zoning ordinance with residential, rural holding, commercial, and industrial districts.

    “Table 4-1 Dimensional Regulations for Residential Districts ZONING DISTRICTS R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 R-6 RH”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family residential development in Ozark R-1 Low density residential district.

    • The table also provides minimum lot width and other dimensional controls.

    minimum lot area: 14000 square feet

    “Minimum lot area (square feet) 14,000 8,400 8,400 for one 10,400 for two dwelling units”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Single-family residential development in Ozark R-1 district.

    maximum building area: 25 percent of lot

    “Maximum building area (percent of lot) 25% 35% 35% 35% 50% 45% 25%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Single-family residential development in Ozark R-1 district.

    maximum structure height: 35 feet

    “Maximum height of structure 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. 45 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Onsite sewage regulation inside Ozark city limits is administered through the Dale County Health Department and Alabama Department of Public Health county-health-department program.

    “The Dale County Health Department provides the following services to the public. [...] Onsite Sewage - Applications and Permits [...] Septic Tank, Grease Trap, and Holding Tank - Applications and Permits”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems serving property inside Ozark city limits where public sewer is not used.

    • The county-health-department onsite sewage program establishes and enforces permitting requirements; public sewer connection is separately required when the city sewer is within 150 feet of the property line.
    “Onsite Sewage - Applications and Permits”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation arrangements for property inside Ozark city limits.

    • A property within the quoted sewer-service condition cannot use an alternative sanitation arrangement instead of connecting to the public sewer.
    • The source does not establish what sanitation systems are allowed where the sewer is more than 150 feet from the property line.

    sewer-distance threshold: 150 feet (30.6 meters)

    “is hereby required at owners expense to install suitable toilets facilities thereon, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance, within 90 days after the official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within 150 feet (30.6 meters) of the property line.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Houses, buildings, and properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes inside Ozark city limits that abut a street, alley, or right-of-way containing a city public sanitary or combined sewer.

    • Connection is required within 90 days after official notice.
    • The public sewer must be within 150 feet (30.6 meters) of the property line.
    • The owner pays applicable connection and tapping fees before connection.

    connection deadline after official notice: 90 days · maximum sewer distance from property line: 150 feet (30.6 meters) · connection/tapping fees: applicable USD (paid by property owner prior to connection)

    “connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance, within 90 days after the official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within 150 feet (30.6 meters) of the property line. The property owner shall be responsible for the payment of applicable connection/tapping fees to The Utilities Board prior to connection.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Ozark city limits.

    • The code defines subdivision by reference to City of Ozark Subdivision Regulations.
    “Subdivision. The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land, into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land by means of platting of boundaries in accordance with the City of Ozark Subdivision Regulations.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    City permits and building-related permits inside Ozark city limits.

    • For work valued at $1,000.00 or less, no fee applies unless inspection is required; then $10.00 is charged for each inspection.
    • Commercial and industrial permit valuation is based on contract cost at $2.00 per thousand or fraction thereof.
    • Dwelling-unit valuation is $50.00 per square foot of heated area, with permit fee at $2.00 per thousand or fraction thereof.
    • Starting work before obtaining a required permit doubles the fees and does not relieve compliance or other penalties.

    inspection fee for work valued at $1000 or less: 10 USD per inspection (only if inspection required) · commercial and industrial permit fee: 2 USD per thousand dollars or fraction (valuation based on contract cost) · dwelling valuation: 50 USD per square foot of heated area · pre-permit penalty: 2 times listed fee (does not relieve compliance or other penalties)

    “The valuation for commercial & industrial work shall be based on contract cost and the permit fee shall be based on $2.00 per thousand or a fraction thereof. The valuation for dwelling units shall be $50.00 per square foot times the square footage of the heated area and the permit fee shall be based on $2.00 per thousand or a fraction thereof.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Permit processing through the City of Ozark Inspection Department.

    • The city identifies a Building Official and Inspector.
    • The opened official page publishes fees and a pre-permit-work penalty, but does not publish the complete application, plan-review, inspection, or approval sequence.
    “INSPECTION DEPARTMENT Building Official & Inspector - Brett Head (334) 774-9190 BUILDING PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Ozark or Dale County directly.

  • Building permit — Residential construction and improvements inside Ozark city limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from building permits, licensing, or inspections inside Ozark city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code edition or adopted local building code for construction inside Ozark city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Ozark city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Ozark city limits.
8 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • 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 Ozark publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Dale County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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