Bolthole Index

Morgan County, Alabama

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Hartselle, Alabama

The City of Hartselle, in Morgan County, Alabama, issues building permits and inspections through its building office1. Hartselle's planning office maintains the city Zoning Ordinance2. Septic permits for every address, inside the city or not, come from the Morgan County Health Department, not the city3.

At a glance

Building permit
Issued by the City of Hartselle building office1
Zoning
City Zoning Ordinance, kept by the Hartselle planning office24
Septic permit
Morgan County Health Department, not the city35
Owner-builder
Alabama lets owners act as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home they will use6
RV living
Occupied-vehicle parking is restricted in the city; flood-zone RVs have a 180-day limit78
Tiny home
Not confirmed; a park model is not a permanent dwelling in Alabama9
Flood zone
City Development Permit required before development in a flood hazard area10
Private well
Driller files a Notification of Intent before drilling11

Who to call

Building permits

City of Hartselle Building Office (Engineering Department)

Building permits, plan review and inspections inside Hartselle city limits

256-773-2535

611 Chestnut Street NW, Hartselle, AL 35640

Planning & zoning

City of Hartselle Planning Office (Development Department)

Zoning, rezoning, subdivision and variance questions inside Hartselle city limits

256-773-2535

611 Chestnut Street NW, Hartselle, AL 35640

Septic permits

Morgan County Health Department - Environmental Services

Onsite sewage (septic) permit applications and inspections for Morgan County, including addresses inside Hartselle

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

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Do you need a building permit in Hartselle, Alabama?

Yes. The City of Hartselle's building office is responsible for inspections and building-permit issuance within the city1. In the city's manufactured home subdivision district, a construction permit cannot issue until the Hartselle Planning Commission approves the final subdivision plat1213. Inside a mapped flood hazard area, Hartselle also requires a Development Permit before any development begins10. Alabama law lets an owner act as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home the owner will occupy, but the owner must provide all material supervision and must hire licensed subcontractors for any subcontracted portion costing more than $10,0006. That contractor-licensing exemption does not waive local approvals such as a flood permit6.

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

The Hartselle building office is at 611 Chestnut Street NW, Hartselle, AL 35640, and the phone number is 256-773-25351. It handles new construction permit applications, plan review, building permits and inspections inside the city limits1. Hartselle's Development Guide with Fee Schedule is posted on the planning office's page, so ask for it before budgeting2. For a parcel outside the city limits, the city does not issue the building permit, so confirm the parcel's jurisdiction with the building office before applying1.

Does Hartselle have zoning, and what does it mean for homes and RVs?

Yes. Hartselle zones land inside the city, and the planning office maintains the Hartselle Zoning Ordinance24. The ordinance we could confirm covers the Manufactured Home Subdivision district (MHS) and the Manufactured Home Residential district (MHR)14. In MHS, lots must be at least 9,000 square feet and 75 feet wide, buildings may cover no more than 50 percent of the lot, setbacks are 20 feet front, 10 feet side and 20 feet rear (25 feet at the district perimeter), and height is capped at 35 feet or three stories15161718. A manufactured home in MHS must contain one dwelling unit with at least 800 square feet of finished, conditioned living space19. We could not confirm lot, setback or size rules for Hartselle's other zoning districts, so ask the planning office which district a parcel is in and what it allows2.

How do septic permits work in Hartselle?

The city does not issue septic permits. The Morgan County Health Department handles onsite sewage and septic tank applications and permits for the county, including addresses inside Hartselle3. Where public sewer is unavailable, an application for a Permit to Install must be submitted to the county health department before construction, and building may begin only after the permit is issued5. Some lots are unsuitable for a conventional system, and an engineer must design systems on soils with a percolation rate over 60 minutes or a shallow limiting zone such as groundwater, clay or bedrock20. Call the health department to schedule an inspection before installation, and expect an Approval for Use before the building can be occupied21. Across Morgan County, only 18.7% of soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so get a site evaluation before you commit to a lot22. In Hartselle's MHR districts, each development must connect to public sanitary sewer and public water lines23. The environmental office can be reached at 256-340-656324.

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

Hartselle restricts occupied vehicles: the city code makes it unlawful to park or allow an occupied vehicle in a prohibited location, which reaches public property and private property with specified notice or enforcement authorization, once the vehicle is used for sleeping, camping or lodging for more than 2 hours in a calendar day7. Exceptions apply with the private owner's permission or specified mayoral, police or city-council permission7. In a flood hazard area, an RV must be on the site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be licensed and road-ready, and have no permanent additions, or else meet the new-construction rules8. We could not confirm a Hartselle rule on long-term RV living or tiny homes, so ask the planning office before moving one onto a lot2. Alabama treats a park model as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel or seasonal use, not a permanent dwelling9.

How do you build a home in Hartselle, step by step?

  1. Ask the Hartselle planning office whether the parcel is inside city limits and which zoning district applies2.
  1. If public sewer is not available, apply to the Morgan County Health Department for a septic Permit to Install before fixing the house location524.
  1. Check the flood map; development in a flood hazard area needs a City of Hartselle Development Permit first10.
  1. For a manufactured home subdivision, get final plat approval from the Planning Commission before a construction permit can issue13.
  1. Apply for the building permit at the Hartselle building office and schedule its inspections1.
  1. For a private well, the driller files a Notification of Intent before work starts and a Certification of Completion within 30 days after finishing11.
  1. Obtain the septic Approval for Use before occupying the building21.

What stays with Morgan County, and what should you check before you buy?

Septic permits and inspections for every Hartselle address stay with the Morgan County Health Department, and private well notifications are filed with the state, not the city311. Morgan County has adopted no county zoning ordinance, so on unincorporated land outside Hartselle no county rule sets minimum lot size, setbacks or RV use25. That makes the line at the city limits important: ask the Hartselle planning office to confirm on which side of it a parcel falls2. Check the flood map, confirm sewer availability, and get soils evaluated, since only 18.7% of Morgan County soils avoid severe drain-field limits22. County-wide, the effective property tax rate is about 0.3% and the median annual tax bill is about $6742627.

Watch-outs

  • Hartselle's published zoning findings cover the manufactured home districts MHS and MHR; dimensional rules for other districts were not confirmed, so ask the planning office about the specific parcel214.
  • A construction permit in a manufactured home subdivision cannot issue until the Planning Commission approves the final plat13.
  • Septic permits come from the Morgan County Health Department, not the city, and an Approval for Use is needed before occupancy2124.
  • Occupied vehicles used for sleeping or camping for more than 2 hours a day in a prohibited location are unlawful under Hartselle's city code7.

Sources

  1. City of Hartselle Building Office (Engineering Department) (hartselle.org)
  2. City of Hartselle Planning Office (Development Department) (hartselle.org)
  3. Services | Morgan County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  4. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  5. Can I Live On This Lot?, quoted and re-checked
  6. Exemptions - Home Builders Licensure Board, quoted and re-checked
  7. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 90-113 Parking or presence of occupied vehicles for prolonged periods of time prohibited (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  8. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 46-18 Specific standards (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  9. amhc.alabama.gov, quoted and re-checked
  10. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 46-18 Specific standards (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  11. Division 9: Well Driller Licensing Program, quoted and re-checked
  12. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  13. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  14. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  15. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  16. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  17. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  18. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  19. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  20. Services | Morgan County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  21. Environmental Services | Madison County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  22. 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
  23. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.3 Manufactured home rental district (MHR) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  24. Morgan County Health Department - Environmental Services (alabamapublichealth.gov)
  25. Alabama law on county zoning and building authority
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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 Hartselle

Hartselle’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction, addition, or extension of a manufactured-home subdivision in Hartselle's MHS district.

    • A construction permit cannot issue until the final subdivision plat has been approved by the Hartselle Planning Commission.
    “Construction of, addition to, or extension of a manufactured home subdivision may not commence until a construction permit has been obtained.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within Hartselle city limits.

    • The cited municipal zoning section regulates manufactured-home subdivisions in the City of Hartselle.
    “The purpose of this chapter is to ensure a minimum standard of site development for manufactured home subdivisions in the City of Hartselle.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts inside Hartselle city limits.

    • This finding confirms publication of MHS and MHR district regulations; it does not establish a complete citywide district inventory.
    “Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS). (a) Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure a minimum standard of site development for manufactured home subdivisions in the City of Hartselle.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles placed on sites in Hartselle special-flood-hazard areas where base-flood-elevation data are available.

    • The RV must be on the site fewer than 180 consecutive days, fully licensed and ready for highway use if licensed, on its wheels or jacking system, attached only by quick-disconnect utilities and security devices, and have no permanently attached structures or additions; otherwise it must meet new-construction anchoring and elevation requirements.

    maximum temporary placement: < 180 consecutive days (Only if the additional licensing, mobility, utility, and no-addition conditions are met.)

    “All recreational vehicles placed on sites must either: (i) be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, fully licensed and ready for highway use if it is licensed, on its wheels or jacking system, attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached structures or additions; or (ii) the recreational vehicle must meet all the requirements for "New Construction," including the anchoring and elevation requirements of Division 4, Section 46-18, provisions (3)(a) and (3)(c).”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping, lodging, or sleeping in an occupied vehicle at a prohibited location inside Hartselle city limits.

    • A prohibited location is government-controlled/public property or private property with specified notice or enforcement authorization. Exceptions apply with the private owner's permission or with specified mayoral, police, or city-council permission; ordinary temporary parking is also excepted.

    occupied-vehicle duration: > 2 hours during any calendar day (The vehicle must also be used for shelter, lodging, lounging, sleeping, camping, residence, dwelling, abiding, or another unintended purpose.)

    “No person shall, and it shall be unlawful for any person to, park or allow another person to park any occupied vehicle, or cause the presence of any occupied vehicle, in any prohibited location as those terms are defined in this section.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    • The home must contain one dwelling unit with not less than 800 square feet of finished and conditioned living space, be constructed under the federal Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, and conform to applicable local, state, and federal codes.

    minimum finished and conditioned living space: >= 800 square feet

    “Manufactured home. As defined per section 39 herein, and further conforming to the following: Containing one dwelling unit of not less than 800 square feet in finished and conditioned living space; constructed in accordance with the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 as amended, 422 U.S.C. section 5401 et seq.; and conforming to all other applicable local, state and federal codes.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Each manufactured-home park development in Hartselle's MHR district.

    • The public sanitary sewer and public water lines must be of sufficient size and capacity to meet current city and utility requirements.
    “Each development shall be provided with a connection to a public sanitary sewer line and a public water line of sufficient size and capacity to meet all current city and utility requirements;”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Construction, addition, or extension of manufactured-home subdivisions in Hartselle's MHS district.

    • A construction permit may not issue until the Hartselle Planning Commission approves the final subdivision plat in accordance with the zoning title.
    “A construction permit may not be issued until the final plat of the subdivision has been approved by the Hartselle Planning Commission in accordance with this title.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in Hartselle special-flood-hazard areas designated A1-30, AE, AH, or A with engineered or estimated base-flood elevation.

    • Applicable requirements vary by structure and flood zone; the cited section includes elevation, floodproofing, enclosure, manufactured-home, recreational-vehicle, and floodway conditions.
    “A Development Permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this ordinance PRIOR to the commencement of any development activities in identified areas of special flood hazard and community flood hazard areas within the community.”

Rules another office applies inside Hartselle

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

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Manufactured homes in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    • Applies to the ordinance's defined manufactured homes in MHS.

    minimum finished and conditioned living space: >= 800 square feet

    “Manufactured home. As defined per section 39 herein, and further conforming to the following: Containing one dwelling unit of not less than 800 square feet in finished and conditioned living space;”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    minimum lot size: >= 9000 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 75 feet

    “(1) Minimum lot size: 9,000 square feet. (2) Maximum building area: 50 percent of the lot area. (3) Minimum lot width: 75 feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Lots in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    • The rear setback is 25 feet at the perimeter; otherwise it is 20 feet.

    minimum front setback: >= 20 feet · minimum rear setback: >= 20 feet (25 feet at perimeter) · minimum side setback: >= 10 feet

    “(4) Minimum front setback: 20 feet. (5) Minimum rear setback: 20 feet; unless at perimeter, then 25 feet. (6) Minimum side setback: Ten feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lots in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    maximum building area: <= 50 percent of lot area

    “(1) Minimum lot size: 9,000 square feet. (2) Maximum building area: 50 percent of the lot area. (3) Minimum lot width: 75 feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings or structures in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (Also limited to three stories.)

    “No building or structure erected or placed shall have a height greater than three stories or 35 feet;”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Manufactured homes and lots in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    • Vehicle access to an existing collector or arterial street is prohibited.
    “No manufactured home or lot within an MHS district shall have vehicle access to an existing collector or arterial street;”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Preliminary development-plan submission for a manufactured-home park development in Hartselle's MHR district.

    • The cited fee applies to the preliminary-review submission described by the MHR ordinance.

    preliminary review submittal fee: 100 USD

    “The fee for submittal shall be $100.00. Upon approval by the Hartselle Planning Commission, the preliminary development plan is valid”
  • Permit processPartial

    Construction-permit applications for manufactured-home subdivisions in Hartselle's MHS district.

    • The application must include the applicant's name and address, legal site description, final plat prepared under the chapter, and proof of ownership or legal land option.
    “The following shall be reflected on the application for a construction permit: (1) Name and address of the applicant; (2) Legal description of the site; (3) Final plat of the proposed subdivision, prepared in accordance with this chapter; (4) Proof of ownership or legal land option.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Hartselle city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Building construction inside Hartselle city limits.
  • Inspections — Building work inside Hartselle city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of construction inside Hartselle city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Hartselle city limits.
8 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • 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 Hartselle publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Morgan County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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