Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Smiths Station, Alabama
Smiths Station is a city in Lee County, Alabama. Smiths Station adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Smiths Station’s rules apply, not the county’s. 4 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 1, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Lee County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Smiths Station
Smiths Station’s own rules
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Smiths Station city limits (Lee County, AL). The city's planning and zoning department administers zoning permits and a zoning map inside the city.
The city's own page states its planning and zoning staff administers zoning permits and that new construction requires a city site plan (zoning certificate) approval.
The zoning ordinance text itself was not located or opened; district-level standards are not established by this claim.
“the planning and zoning staff conducts the administrative review of development plans, subdivision proposals, and zoning permits.”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision proposals of land inside Smiths Station city limits.
The city planning and zoning staff conducts administrative review of subdivision proposals.
Subdivision standards (lot, road, and plat requirements) were not opened.
“the planning and zoning staff conducts the administrative review of development plans, subdivision proposals, and zoning permits.”
Permit processPartial
New construction inside Smiths Station city limits.
Process is city approvals first (site plan/zoning certificate, land disturbance, stormwater), then the Lee County Building Inspections building permit.
Fee schedule, application forms and timelines were not found.
“lee county building inspections administers building permits for the city.”
Rules another office applies inside Smiths Station
Smiths Station 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
New construction inside Smiths Station city limits; building permits are issued by Lee County Building Inspections for the city, after city approvals.
Before a building permit is approved, the city requires a city site plan (zoning certificate) approval, a city land disturbance permit, and an initial storm water runoff control (best management practices) approval.
Construction may proceed only after the permit, so status is conditional.
“all new construction requires a city site plan (zoning certificate) approval, city land disturbance permit, and an initial storm water runoff control (best management practices) approval before approval for a building permit from lee county building inspections.”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Smiths Station or Lee County directly.
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Smiths Station city limits
Building code adopted — Building code adopted for construction inside Smiths Station city limits
Inspections — Inspections of new construction inside Smiths Station city limits
Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Smiths Station city limits
Zoning districts — Zoning districts of Smiths Station city
18 more unanswered
Minimum dwelling size
Minimum lot size
Setbacks
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
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 Smiths Station publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Lee County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Smiths Station means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
