Bolthole Index

Morgan County, Alabama

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Priceville, Alabama

Priceville, Alabama issues its own building permits and requires inspections, and the city zones land inside its limits under a 17-district ordinance12. Septic permits for Priceville addresses are a Morgan County Health Department matter, not a city one34. Priceville is in Morgan County, and these rules apply only inside the city and its planning jurisdiction.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the city; applications are submitted in person at the Municipal Building1
Zoning
City ordinance with 17 districts, including agricultural and agricultural-residential2
Septic
Permit from the Morgan County Health Department when not on public sewer34
RV living
Occupied RVs only in approved RV spaces in RV parks and campgrounds5
Accessory dwelling
Allowed with an accessory dwelling permit renewed annually6
Manufactured home
Placement permit required; park placement in R-MHP, conditional use on a lot in A-17
Short-term rental
Allowed in the A-1 district, subject to the ordinance's short-term rental section8
Residential permit fee
$7 per $1,000 of market value9

Who to call

Building permits

City of Priceville Building Department (Building Inspector / Zoning Officer)

Building, gas and sewer permit applications, zoning approval and inspections inside Priceville city limits

(256) 355-5476

Also useful

City of Priceville Municipal Building

Where building permit applications are picked up and submitted in person

(256) 355-5476

242 Marco Drive, Priceville, AL 35603

Septic permits

Morgan County Health Department - Environmental Services

Onsite sewage (septic) permit applications and septic tank complaints for Morgan County

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 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Priceville, Alabama?

Yes. Priceville requires a city building permit and inspections for construction inside its limits, and the city's building department must approve every application and set of blueprints before work begins19. A residential permit costs $7 per $1,000 of market value, with a $12.50 blueprint review fee9. Starting without a permit doubles the fee9. The city applies the 2015 International Codes and the 2014 National Electrical Code, including revisions10. Inspections need 24 hours of notice, one re-inspection is free, and later ones carry a minimum $50 fee that must be paid before a certificate of occupancy is issued11. Alabama lets an owner act as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home for personal occupancy, but the city's own pages do not say whether that changes the permit steps, so ask the building department12.

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

The City of Priceville Building Department issues building, gas and sewer permits from the Municipal Building at 242 Marco Drive, Priceville, AL 3560313. Applications must be submitted in person; the number is (256) 355-5476, extension 09. Applications are available at the Municipal Building Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.9. Zoning approval comes from the same building inspector and zoning officer, and no zoning permit, building permit or certificate of occupancy is issued without that written approval9. Septic permits are separate: they come from the Morgan County Health Department, not the city3.

Does Priceville have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and lot size?

Yes. Priceville divides the city into 17 zoning districts, including agricultural, agricultural-residential, residential, commercial and planned-development districts2. Rules differ by district. In the A-1 and A-1-R agricultural districts, agricultural structures not meant for people to live in are exempt from the height limit1415. An accessory dwelling needs an accessory dwelling permit renewed every year, and in A-1, R-1 and R-2 the owner of the main house must live on the property6. Manufactured homes need a city placement permit, and on its own lot in A-1 a manufactured home is a conditional use7. Short-term rentals are allowed in A-1 under the ordinance's short-term rental section8. We could not confirm a Priceville rule on tiny homes or a general minimum dwelling size, so ask the zoning officer before buying a lot9.

How do septic permits work inside Priceville?

The city does not issue septic permits. Alabama law requires a property that is not on public sanitary sewer to get a permit from the local health department before a new septic system is installed or an existing one repaired16. Priceville's own subdivision rules name the Morgan County Health Department as the health authority3. Call the Health Department before installing to schedule an inspection, and it issues an Approval for Use before the building can be occupied16. The Environmental Services office is at 3821 Hwy. 31 South, Decatur, AL 35603, phone 256-340-656317. Priceville also runs a municipal sewer, with a separate sewer tap permit through the city, so ask the building department whether sewer reaches your lot before you plan a septic system9. Across Morgan County, about 18.7% of soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so a soil evaluation matters off sewer18.

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

Priceville allows an occupied RV only in an approved RV space, and only one RV per space5. RV parks and campgrounds are the places the ordinance contemplates, and they carry extra standards for setbacks, sanitation, parking, access and storm shelters5. We could not confirm a general rule for temporary camping on a private lot, so ask the zoning officer before parking an RV on land you own9. We also could not confirm a Priceville rule on tiny-home occupancy9. For a manufactured home in a park, the city requires connection to municipal water and sewer where available19.

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

  1. Confirm the parcel is inside Priceville's limits and find its zoning district with the zoning officer92.
  2. If you are dividing land, get Planning Commission approval before filing a plat or selling lots20.
  3. Ask whether city sewer reaches the lot; if not, apply to the Morgan County Health Department for a septic permit9417.
  4. Submit the building permit application in person at the Municipal Building, with a site plan if the district requires one1.
  5. Call 24 hours ahead for each inspection11.
  6. Pay any re-inspection fees, make sure contractors hold a city business license, and obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving in21.

What should you check before buying land in Priceville?

Ask the zoning officer which of the 17 districts covers the parcel, since accessory dwellings, manufactured homes and short-term rentals each depend on it26. Confirm sewer availability before counting on septic9. Check the lot's flood status, because Morgan County requires a floodplain determination before it will issue a sewage disposal permit22. A transfer of five acres or more to an immediate family member is exempt from the subdivision rules, but later transfers and sales to others are not20. Property taxes are a county-level figure: Morgan County's effective rate is about 0.3%, with a median bill of $674 a year2324.

Watch-outs

  • Building permit applications must be submitted in person at the Municipal Building, and starting work before the permit is issued doubles the permit fee9.
  • Priceville's zoning rules apply only inside the city limits; unincorporated Morgan County land outside them follows different rules, so confirm the parcel is in the city2.
  • We could not confirm a Priceville rule on tiny homes or on temporary camping on private land; ask the zoning officer5.

Sources

  1. Planning Commission - Priceville Alabama (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Priceville Zoning Ordinance – Adopted May 27, 2025 (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Priceville Subdivision Regulations – Amended April 21, 2025 (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  4. Can I Live On This Lot?, quoted and re-checked
  5. Priceville Code of Ordinances, §7.16 Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  6. Priceville Code of Ordinances, §7.01 Accessory Dwellings (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Priceville Code of Ordinances, §7.12 Manufactured Home Parks (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  8. Priceville Zoning Ordinance – Adopted May 27, 2025 (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Priceville Building Department (Building Inspector / Zoning Officer) (cityofpriceville.com)
  10. Building Department - Priceville Alabama (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Department - Priceville Alabama (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  12. Exemptions - Home Builders Licensure Board, quoted and re-checked
  13. City of Priceville Municipal Building (cityofpriceville.com)
  14. Priceville Zoning Ordinance – Adopted May 27, 2025 (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  15. Priceville Zoning Ordinance – Adopted May 27, 2025 (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  16. Environmental Services | Madison County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  17. Morgan County Health Department - Environmental Services (alabamapublichealth.gov)
  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. Priceville Code of Ordinances, §7.12 Manufactured Home Parks (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  20. Priceville Subdivision Regulations – Amended April 21, 2025 (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  21. Building Department - Priceville Alabama (Priceville), quoted and re-checked
  22. Development in Morgan County, quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. 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 Priceville

Priceville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Subdivision development and improvements inside Priceville city limits and planning jurisdiction.

    • Preliminary approval is required before grading or other subdivision improvements.
    • Excavation, building, and other required permits must be obtained before construction begins.
    “The Developer may not begin construction without obtaining excavation, building, and other required permits.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction inside Priceville city limits.

    • The City page states that the listed codes apply, including revisions.

    ICC code edition: 2015 · NEC code edition: 2014

    “2015 I.C.C. and 2014 N.EC. Codes apply, including any revisions.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Inspections for permitted construction inside Priceville city limits.

    • Inspection scheduling requires 24-hour notice.
    • One re-inspection is free; later re-inspections have a minimum $50 fee.
    • Re-inspection fees must be paid before issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

    inspection notice: 24 hours · subsequent re-inspection fee: >= 50 USD minimum (One re-inspection is allowed at no charge.)

    “24-hour notice must be given for any inspection.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Permitted construction and manufactured homes inside Priceville city limits where the City requires a certificate of occupancy.

    • Manufactured homes must be inspected and approved before issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
    • Re-inspection fees must be paid before issuance of any certificate of occupancy.
    “All re-inspection fees must be paid prior to the issuance of any certificate of occupancy.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Priceville city limits.

    • The ordinance identifies 17 districts, including agricultural, agricultural-residential, residential, planned-development, commercial, institutional, research/technology, and overlay districts.
    “The City of Priceville is divided into the following districts:”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupied recreational vehicles in Priceville recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds.

    • An occupied RV may be located only in an approved RV space.
    • Only one recreational vehicle may be located in each RV space.
    • RV parks and campgrounds are subject to additional tract, setback, sanitation, parking, access, and storm-shelter standards.

    minimum RV space area: >= 500 sf

    “No occupied RV may be located anywhere but in an approved RV space and only one recreational vehicle may be located in each RV space.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home occupancy inside Priceville city limits.

    • Manufactured home parks are regulated in the R-MHP district and under §7.12.
    • A placement permit is required before placement in a manufactured home park.
    • Each home must have applicable permits and a valid Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission set-up inspection sticker.
    • In the A-1 district, a manufactured home on its own lot is a conditional use.
    “A Placement Permit must be obtained from the City prior to the placement of any manufactured home.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwellings serving permitted single-family detached dwellings inside Priceville city limits.

    • An accessory dwelling permit is required and must be renewed annually.
    • In A-1, R-1, and R-2, the principal-dwelling owner must reside on the premises.
    • The lot must be at least 10,000 sf or the district minimum if greater.
    • The dwelling must comply with parking, building-code, permanent-foundation, access, and dimensional requirements.

    minimum lot area: >= 10000 sf (The district minimum applies if greater.) · minimum habitable floor area: >= 200 sf · maximum habitable floor area: 50% of principal dwelling gross floor area or 1,000 sf, whichever is more restrictive (Subject to the §4.01.02(4) exception.)

    “An Accessory Dwelling Permit is required for all accessory dwellings and must be renewed annually.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Septic and health-department standards applicable inside Priceville city limits.

    • The City subdivision regulations define the Health Department as the County Health Department of Morgan County, Alabama.
    “HEALTH DEPARTMENT. County Health Department of Morgan County, Alabama.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Manufactured homes in manufactured home parks inside Priceville city limits.

    • Each manufactured home must connect to municipal water and sewage disposal systems if available.
    • If unavailable, a private central system is required until municipal systems become available.
    • Private central systems must meet Health Department and Alabama Department of Environmental Management specifications and be installed under City Engineer inspection.
    “Each manufactured home must be connected to the municipal water and sewage disposal systems if available.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    All land subdivision within Priceville corporate limits and planning jurisdiction.

    • A plat must conform to the regulations.
    • A subdivision plat may not be filed or recorded until Planning Commission approval is entered in writing.
    • Sale of subdivision lots may not proceed before approval.
    • A five-acre-or-more transfer to an immediate family member is exempt, but later transfers and transfers to non-family members are subject to the regulations.
    “these regulations govern all land subdivision within the corporate limits and planning jurisdiction of the City of Priceville.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Preliminary plat applications inside Priceville city limits.

    • The fee is set from time to time by the City Council and is payable when the application is filed.

    preliminary plat fee: set from time to time by the Council

    “a fee, as set from time to time by the Council, must be paid to the City by the Subdivider”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Planning, zoning, building-permit, and inspection processes inside Priceville city limits.

    • Planning Commission materials must be submitted 21 days before the TRC meeting.
    • Building applications are submitted in person at the Municipal Building.
    • Inspections require 24-hour notice.

    TRC submittal lead time: 21 days · inspection notice: 24 hours

    “Applications must be submitted in-person at the Municipal Building.”

Rules another office applies inside Priceville

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

  • SetbacksSpecified

    A-1-R Agricultural Residential District inside Priceville city limits.

    front setback: >= 150 ft · rear setback: >= 100 ft · side setback: >= 30 ft

    “A-1-R 150 100 30 65,000 1 150 2.5 35 10%”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    A-1-R Agricultural Residential District inside Priceville city limits.

    maximum building coverage: <= 10 percent

    “A-1-R 150 100 30 65,000 1 150 2.5 35 10%”
  • Building heightSpecified

    A-1 Agricultural District inside Priceville city limits.

    • Agricultural structures not intended for human occupancy are exempt from the height requirement.

    maximum height: <= 35 ft (Agricultural structures not intended for human occupancy are exempt.) · maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories (Agricultural structures not intended for human occupancy are exempt.)

    “Agricultural structures not intended for human occupancy are exempt from the height requirement in Table 6-2.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Short-term rentalsAllowed (with conditions)

    Short-term rentals in the A-1 Agricultural District inside Priceville city limits.

    • The use is subject to §7.17 of the zoning ordinance.
    “Short-term rental, subject to §7.17 P Telecommunication Tower, subject to City Ordinance 2015-04 C”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Priceville city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Priceville city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping outside an approved recreational vehicle park or campground inside Priceville city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Priceville city limits.
  • Septic permit — Septic permits for land inside Priceville city limits.
6 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

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 Priceville 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