Bolthole Index

Morgan County, Alabama

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Decatur, Alabama

Decatur, Alabama requires city construction permits for new construction, additions, repairs, remodeling, demolition and related work.1 The city administers zoning and building-code review, while the Morgan County Health Department handles onsite sewage and septic applications for Morgan County addresses.234

At a glance

Building permit
Required for construction, additions, repairs, remodeling, demolition and related work1
Zoning
Administered by the City of Decatur inside city limits2
Septic
Morgan County Health Department handles onsite sewage applications for Morgan County addresses4
RV living
Private-land residential occupancy was not confirmed; ask Decatur Planning before relying on an RV5
Tiny home
No separate occupancy rule confirmed; city zoning and building review still apply21
Manufactured home
Prohibited in the R Residential District except for the stated modular-home exception6
Owner-builder
A qualifying Alabama owner may act as contractor, but city approvals still apply71

Who to call

Building permits

City of Decatur Building Department

City construction permits, plan review, inspections, certificates of occupancy and floodplain regulation

(256) 341-4570

[email protected]

402 Lee Street NE Fourth Floor Decatur, AL 35601

Online permits →

Zoning

City of Decatur Planning Department

City zoning, rezoning, parcel zoning, subdivisions, variances, setbacks and land-use questions

(256) 341-4720

[email protected]

402 Lee Street NE Fourth Floor Decatur, AL 35601

Septic permits

Morgan County Health Department – Environmental Office

Onsite sewage and septic-tank inquiries for Morgan County addresses

256-340-6563

3821 Hwy. 31 South Decatur, Alabama 35603

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Decatur, Alabama?

Yes. Decatur requires city construction permits for new construction, additions, repairs, remodeling, demolition and related work inside city limits.1 New residential construction requires a complete digital plan set covering the floor, footing, framing, elevation and building height, plus a stamped or sealed survey before permit issuance.1 Residential plan review checks the currently adopted code for one- and two-family dwellings.3

Decatur also requires inspections during the project, and a final building inspection is required before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.8 Commercial permit charges use total contract value, with a $10 issuance charge plus applicable plan-review fees; residential fees use the city code schedule.9 Contact the Building Department before starting work if the scope is unclear.10

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

The City of Decatur Building Department issues city construction permits and handles plan review, inspections, certificates of occupancy and city floodplain enforcement.10 The office is at 402 Lee Street NE, Fourth Floor, Decatur, AL 35601; call (256) 341-4570 or email [email protected].10 Building-permit registration and applications are available through the CityView portal.10

Begin with a parcel survey and construction plans suitable for the proposed work because new-home review uses both before permit issuance.1 A project in a special flood hazard area must document that its lowest floor is elevated 1 foot above the mapped Base Flood elevation.11 For commercial or industrial work, a Certificate of Occupancy follows a passed final inspection and submission of the final survey.12

Does Decatur have zoning, and what does it mean for land use?

Decatur administers its own zoning ordinance, zoning map, rezoning process and Board of Zoning Adjustment inside city limits.2 The Planning Department is the office to ask about parcel use, subdivision or consolidation, variances, home occupations, setbacks and building height.5 The office is at 402 Lee Street NE, Fourth Floor, Decatur, AL 35601; call (256) 341-4720 or email [email protected].5

Dimensional rules depend on the mapped district. A single-family dwelling in R-2 needs at least 10,000 square feet of lot area, while one in R-3 needs at least 7,000 square feet.1314 Manufactured homes are prohibited in the R Residential District, subject to the ordinance's modular-home exception.6 Confirm the current parcel zoning on the city's map before relying on any district standard.15

How do septic permits work inside Decatur?

For a Decatur property in Morgan County that is not connected to public sewer, the Morgan County Health Department handles onsite sewage and septic applications.4 Alabama requires an Application for a Permit to Install before a new onsite sewage system is built or an existing system is repaired, and construction may begin only after the Permit to Install is issued.16 The health department must inspect the installation and issue Approval for Use before the building can be occupied.17

Call the Morgan County Health Department Environmental Office at 256-340-6563; its office is at 3821 Hwy. 31 South, Decatur, Alabama 35603.18 Only 18.7% of mapped Morgan County soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make soil and system feasibility a purchase contingency.19 For a Decatur address in Limestone County, ask Decatur Building which county health office has jurisdiction before applying.10

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Decatur?

We could not confirm a Decatur rule that generally allows long-term RV occupancy on private land, so ask the Planning Department for a written parcel-specific answer covering duration, utilities and the proposed zoning use.5 The city's confirmed camping restriction concerns specified public property and designated park camping areas, not residential occupancy on private land.20

We also could not confirm a separate Decatur tiny-home category or a citywide minimum dwelling floor area. A tiny home proposed as a residence still needs to fit the parcel's zoning district and pass the applicable building-permit review.21 Alabama treats a park model of no more than 400 square feet as temporary living quarters rather than a permanent dwelling, so that classification is not a shortcut to permanent residential approval.21

Building a home in Decatur: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Decatur Planning to confirm city limits, the parcel's zoning district, residential use, lot area, setbacks and any rezoning or variance path.25
  2. Resolve sewer availability or septic feasibility; a Morgan County onsite system needs health-department approval before installation.16
  3. Obtain a stamped or sealed survey and prepare the complete digital residential plan set required for city review.1
  4. Submit the city building-permit application through the Building Department and pay the applicable construction-permit fees.109
  5. Complete required inspections, including floodplain documentation when the site lies in a special flood hazard area.811
  6. Pass the final building inspection and secure every required occupancy approval before moving in.817

What should you check before buying land in Decatur and Morgan County?

Confirm city and county jurisdiction first because Decatur zoning and building review apply inside city limits, while septic administration depends on the county health office serving the address.24 Obtain the zoning designation and written answers for any proposed RV, tiny home, accessory dwelling, manufactured home or agricultural use before closing.5 Check mapped flood hazards because Decatur requires added elevation documentation for proposed construction in a special flood hazard area.11

Treat wastewater feasibility as an early contingency because only 18.7% of mapped Morgan County soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional drain field.19 Morgan County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.3%, and its median annual property-tax bill is about $674.2223 For access directly onto an Alabama state highway, an ALDOT access permit is required.24

Watch-outs

  • Do not begin a new onsite sewage system or repair before the health department issues the Permit to Install.16
  • Only 18.7% of mapped Morgan County soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so verify a workable system before fixing the house site.19
  • Decatur's private-land RV occupancy and separate tiny-home rules could not be confirmed; ask Planning for a written parcel-specific determination.5
  • A Decatur address may be associated with Morgan or Limestone County, so confirm the correct county health office before filing a septic application.10

Sources

  1. Building Department (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning & Development (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  3. Building permits and fees (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  4. Services | Morgan County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  5. City of Decatur Planning Department (decatur-al.gov)
  6. Residential district requirements (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  7. Exemptions (Alabama statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Building Department (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  9. Building permits and fees (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  10. City of Decatur Building Department (decatur-al.gov)
  11. decatur-al.gov (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  12. Certificate of Occupancy (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  13. R-2 Residential District requirements (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  14. R-3 Residential District requirements (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  15. Planning & Development (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  16. Can I Live On This Lot?, quoted and re-checked
  17. Environmental Services — Onsite Sewage Disposal, quoted and re-checked
  18. Morgan County Health Department – Environmental Office (alabamapublichealth.gov)
  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. Camping on public property (Decatur), quoted and re-checked
  21. amhc.alabama.gov, quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  24. ALDOT Permit Manual (Alabama statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 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 Decatur

Decatur’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, additions, repairs, remodeling, demolition, and related work inside Decatur city limits.

    • The Building Department issues city construction permits.
    • New residential construction requires a digital plan set for review and approval.
    • A stamped/sealed survey is required before permit issuance.
    “For new residential construction: One complete digital plan set including floor, footing, framing and elevation plan with building height are required to be submitted for review and approval.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building-code plan review for construction inside Decatur city limits.

    • Residential plan reviews verify compliance with the currently adopted IRC One- and Two-family Dwelling Code.
    • Commercial plan reviews verify compliance with the currently adopted International Building Code.
    “Residential plan reviews are performed to verify compliance with the currently adopted IRC One- and Two-family Dwelling Code.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building-code inspections for construction inside Decatur city limits.

    • The city fire marshal coordinates with the Building Department on plan review and inspection functions.
    • A final building inspection is required before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
    “A final building inspection is required before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Commercial and industrial construction, re-occupancy, ownership changes, business licensing, and new utility accounts inside Decatur city limits.

    • A completed and signed CO application is required in the listed circumstances.
    • A final building inspection must pass.
    • A final survey must be submitted for new commercial/industrial construction.
    “A Certificate of Occupancy will be granted on all new commercial/industrial construction after the final building inspection has passed and a final survey is submitted to the Building Department.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Zoning administered by the City of Decatur inside city limits.

    • The city maintains a zoning ordinance, zoning map, zoning and rezoning process, and Board of Zoning Adjustment.
    “The Planning Department is responsible for administering the Zoning Ordinance”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and parcel zoning inside Decatur city limits.

    • The city publishes a zoning ordinance and zoning map.
    • The cited residential district provisions apply only where the parcel is designated in that district by the zoning chapter and zoning map.
    “View current zoning and property details on an interactive map”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the R-2 Residential District inside Decatur city limits.

    • The R-2 district must be designated for the parcel by the zoning chapter and zoning map.

    minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet

    “Minimum lot area: Ten thousand (10,000) square feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family dwellings in the R-3 Residential District inside Decatur city limits.
      “Minimum lot area: Seven thousand (7,000) square feet.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping and camping shelters on specified public property inside Decatur city limits.

    • The prohibition covers city hall property, all public rights-of-way within the corporate limits, city library properties, and parks and playgrounds.
    • Camping is allowed in established or designated camping areas set aside by the director of parks and recreation, subject to applicable rules.
    • County courthouse and public-office grounds are covered except where authorized by constituted authority.
    “All parks and playgrounds except that such shall be allowed in established or designated camping areas set aside by the director of parks and recreation for such purpose, and subject to all rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith.”
  • Manufactured homesProhibited

    Manufactured homes in the R Residential District inside Decatur city limits.

    • The prohibition is subject to the listed exception for modular homes under section 25-2.
    “All buildings, structures and units constructed off-site (except for modular homes as in section 25-2 ) without regard to whether or not such building, structures or units are designed and built in compliance with state or federal standards, including without limitation, mobile homes, manufactured homes, house trailers, and trailer coaches”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Proposed construction in a special flood hazard area inside Decatur city limits.

    • A stamped/sealed survey must document compliance with the city floodplain-management ordinance.
    • The lowest floor of proposed construction in a special flood hazard area must be elevated 1 foot above the Base Flood elevation shown on the August 16, 2018 Flood Insurance Rate Map.

    minimum elevation above Base Flood elevation: >= 1 foot (proposed construction lying in a special flood hazard area)

    “Compliance with the City of Decatur’s floodplain management ordinance is documented by having the lowest floor of any proposed construction lying in a special flood hazard area elevated 1 foot above the Base Flood elevation shown on the August 16th, 2018 Flood Insurance Rate Map.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Construction permit fees for work inside Decatur city limits.

    • Residential one- and two-family dwelling fees are calculated under cited Code of Decatur sections.
    • Commercial fees are based on total contract value and include a $10 permit issuance fee plus applicable plan-review fees.

    commercial permit issuance fee: 10 USD (plus applicable plan review fees)

    “A $10 permit issuance fee is added, as well as any plan review fees applicable (see table).”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from construction permitting or contractor requirements inside Decatur city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Decatur residential districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Decatur residential districts.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy on private land inside Decatur city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Decatur city limits.
10 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Decatur publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Morgan County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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