Bolthole Index

Franklin County, Alabama

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Russellville, Alabama

Most construction projects inside Russellville, Alabama city limits require a building permit from the city's Building, Licensing and Zoning Department1. Russellville sets its own zoning, with districts from R-1 to M-2 and AG-123. Septic permits for every address in Franklin County, city or not, come from the Franklin County Health Department's environmental office45.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for most construction projects inside city limits1
Inspections
New construction and many remodels, at several phases6
Zoning
City zoning with R-1, R-2, R-3, MH-1, B, M and AG-1 districts23
Septic
Permit to Install from the Franklin County Health Department4
Minimum lot (R-1)
20,000 square feet and 100 feet wide, more if the health authority requires7
Maximum height
35 feet or 2.5 stories in R-1, R-2 and R-38910
Owner-builder
Alabama exempts owners building their own home from contractor licensing; Russellville's own rule is unconfirmed11

Who to call

Building permits

City of Russellville Building, Licensing and Zoning Department

Building permits, inspections and zoning inside Russellville city limits (phone is the City Hall main line shown on the page)

256-332-6060

304 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, AL 35653

Septic permits

Franklin County Health Department, Environmental Office (Alabama Department of Public Health)

Onsite sewage disposal system permits (Permit to Install), inspections and approval for use in Franklin County

256-332-2700

801 Highway 48, Russellville, AL 35654

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 Russellville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Russellville, Alabama?

Yes, for most projects. The city says most construction projects inside Russellville city limits require building permits, though requirements may vary by project type112. New construction and many remodeling projects also need inspections at several phases, such as electrical and plumbing work6. The city does not publish a fee amount or a full application checklist, so call before you start13. We could not confirm which building code the city has adopted, whether a certificate of occupancy is required, or an owner-builder exemption from city permits, so ask the department12.

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

The City of Russellville Building, Licensing and Zoning Department issues building permits and handles zoning questions inside city limits; start with Russellville City Hall at 304 N. Jackson Ave. or the main line, 256-332-60601312. Septic is a different office: the Franklin County Health Department's environmental office at 256-332-2700 handles septic permits for Russellville addresses as well as the rest of the county145. Driveway questions for county roads go to the Franklin County Highway Department, and the city page does not describe a driveway permit13.

Does Russellville have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Russellville has zoning inside city limits, and certain areas of the city are zoned for specific types of structures and uses212. The ordinance lists R-1, R-2, R-3, MH-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2 and AG-1 districts3. Minimum lot area is 20,000 square feet in R-1, 12,000 square feet in R-2, and 9,000 square feet for a single-family detached home in R-3, with more required where the Public Health Authority says so in R-1 and R-271516. In R-1, the front and rear yards are 50 feet and the interior side yard is 20 feet17. In R-2, those yards are 40, 35 and 12 feet18. In R-3, they are 30, 35 and 10 feet19. Height is capped at 35 feet or 2.5 stories in all three residential districts8910. We could not confirm a minimum dwelling size or lot-coverage limit; ask the department12.

How do septic permits work in Russellville?

Septic permits do not come from the City of Russellville. Before building an onsite sewage disposal system in Franklin County, you submit an Application for a Permit to Install to the county health department, and construction may begin only after the permit is issued4. Where municipal sewer is unavailable, a professional engineer, surveyor, geologist or soil classifier may need to evaluate the soil, and the installer must be licensed by the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board4. Alabama also requires an inspection before any part of the installation is covered, and the system may not be used until the health department issues an Approval for Use20. Only 3.5% of Franklin County soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so expect soil evaluation to matter21. In R-1 and R-2, lot size may also be increased by the Public Health Authority715.

Can you live in an RV, manufactured home or tiny home in Russellville?

We could not confirm a Russellville rule on living in an RV on private property, temporary camping or tiny homes, so ask the Building, Licensing and Zoning Department before you place one12. In special-flood-hazard areas, an RV may remain fewer than 180 consecutive days only if it is fully licensed, ready for highway use and attached only by quick-disconnect utilities; otherwise it must meet new-construction anchoring and elevation rules22. The city's zoning includes an MH-1 manufactured-home district, and planned manufactured-home communities must connect to public water and sanitary sewer and have plans approved by the Water and Sewer Board of the City of Russellville323.

Building a home in Russellville: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot is inside Russellville city limits and which district it is in23.
  2. Ask the department whether your subdivision has covenants and restrictions, which the city says are common in neighborhoods such as Woodridge and Briarleigh12.
  3. Check lot size, setbacks and height for the district1518.
  4. If there is no city sewer, apply to the Franklin County Health Department for a Permit to Install before construction414.
  5. Get your building permit from the city before construction1.
  6. Book inspections at each phase and obtain the health department's Approval for Use for any septic system620.

What should you check before buying land in Russellville?

Check for covenants and restrictions first: the city names Woodridge, Briarleigh, Hester Heights and Woodland Hills as neighborhoods that have them, and the department can provide details12. Ask about sewer, because Franklin County soils rarely suit conventional septic fields21. Confirm the district for lot size, setbacks and height3. Franklin County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.3%, and its median annual property-tax bill is about $4322425.

Watch-outs

  • Septic permits for Russellville addresses come from the Franklin County Health Department, not the city414.
  • Many Russellville subdivisions have private covenants and restrictions on top of city zoning; ask the Building, Licensing and Zoning Department12.
  • We could not confirm Russellville rules for RV living, tiny homes, driveway permits or short-term rentals; call the department before you commit12.

Sources

  1. Building, Licensing, and Zoning (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Building, Licensing, and Zoning (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Section 40.0 - Establishment of districts (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  4. Can I Live On This Lot?, quoted and re-checked
  5. Soil and Onsite Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  6. Building, Licensing, and Zoning (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Section 41.0 - R-1 Low Density Residential District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  8. Section 41.0 - R-1 Low Density Residential District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  9. Section 42.0 - R-2 Residential District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  10. Section 43.0 - R-3 Residential District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  11. Exemptions — Home Builders Licensure Board (2026 county census)
  12. City of Russellville Building, Licensing and Zoning Department (russellvilleal.org)
  13. Building, Licensing, and Zoning (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  14. Franklin County Health Department, Environmental Office (Alabama Department of Public Health) (alabamapublichealth.gov)
  15. Section 42.0 - R-2 Residential District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  16. Section 43.0 - R-3 Residential District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  17. Section 41.0 - R-1 Low Density Residential District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  18. Section 42.0 - R-2 Residential District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  19. Section 43.0 - R-3 Residential District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  20. Rule 420-3-1-.08 OSS/EDS Installation, quoted and re-checked
  21. 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
  22. Sec. 30-82 - Specific standards (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  23. Section 44.0 - MH-1 Manufactured Home District (Russellville), quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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 Russellville

Russellville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Most construction projects inside Russellville city limits.

    • The city page says most construction projects require permits; it does not state that every project requires one.
    • Permit requirements may vary by project type.
    “Most construction projects require building permits.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New construction and many remodeling projects inside Russellville city limits.

    • Inspections occur at many phases and may cover electrical and plumbing work.
    • The city page does not specify every inspection type or phase.
    “New construction and many types of remodeling require inspections at many phases for different areas, such as electrical work and plumbing.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Russellville city limits.

    • The city webpage states that certain city areas are zoned for specific structures and uses.
    • The adopted code contains an Appendix A Zoning Ordinance.
    “Certain areas of the city are zoned for specific types of structures and uses.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Russellville city zoning districts.

    • The ordinance lists R-1, R-2, R-3, MH-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2, and AG-1.
    “For the purpose of this Ordinance, the City of Russellville is hereby divided into the types of districts designed as follows:”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-3 Residential District inside Russellville city limits.

    • Different dwelling types have different minimum lot-area rules.

    single-family detached minimum lot area: 9000 square feet · two-family minimum lot area: 10500 square feet · first multifamily unit lot area: 9000 square feet · each additional multifamily unit lot area: per 1500 square feet

    “Single family detached dwellings—9,000 square feet.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 Low Density Residential District inside Russellville city limits.
      “Minimum required lot area—20,000 square feet, unless a greater area is required by the Public Health Authority. Minimum required lot width at building line—100 feet.”
    • Specified — R-2 Residential District inside Russellville city limits.
      “Minimum required lot area—12,000 square feet, unless a greater area is required by the Public Health Authority. Minimum required lot width at building line—90 feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 Low Density Residential District inside Russellville city limits.

    • Accessory structures have separate setbacks.
    • Pet housing must be at least 25 feet from any property line or non-agricultural district line.

    front yard: 50 feet · rear yard: 50 feet · interior side yard: 20 feet · street side yard: 35 feet · accessory side yard: 10 feet · accessory rear yard: 10 feet · accessory front yard: 70 feet

    “Front, 50 feet; rear, 50 feet; interior side yard, 20 feet; street side yard, 35 feet.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — R-2 Residential District inside Russellville city limits.
      “Front, 40 feet; rear, 35 feet; interior side yard, 12 feet; street side yard, 35 feet.”
    • Specified — R-3 Residential District inside Russellville city limits.
      “Front, 30 feet; rear, 35 feet; interior side yard, 10 feet; street side yard, 35 feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 Low Density Residential District inside Russellville city limits.

    maximum height: 35 feet or 2.5 stories

    “Maximum Height: Thirty-five (35) feet or two and a half (2½) stories.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles placed in Russellville special-flood-hazard areas covered by Section 30-82.

    • An RV may remain fewer than 180 consecutive days only if fully licensed and ready for highway use, on wheels or a jacking system, attached only by quick-disconnect utilities and security devices, and without permanent structures or additions.
    • Otherwise it must meet new-construction anchoring and elevation requirements.

    maximum temporary placement: < 180 days (The RV must also satisfy the listed licensing, mobility, utility, and attachment conditions.)

    “Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, fully licensed and ready for highway use, on its wheels or jacking system”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Planned manufactured-home communities inside Russellville city limits.

    • Design plans must connect the community to public water and sanitary sewer facilities.
    • Plans must also be submitted to and approved by the Water and Sewer Board of the City of Russellville.
    “Design plans for connecting the Planned Manufactured Home Community to the public water supply and sanitary sewer facilities.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building-permit process inside Russellville city limits.

    • Applicants are directed to contact the Russellville Building, Licensing, and Zoning Department.
    • The opened page does not provide a complete application checklist or approval timeline.
    “Before you pick up that hammer or call your contractor, you may need to get in touch with the Russellville Building, Licensing, and Zoning Department.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Russellville city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption inside Russellville city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Russellville city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Russellville city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Russellville city limits.
11 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Russellville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Franklin County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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