Perry County, AL Building Permits, Zoning & Septic

Unincorporated Perry County, Alabama does not require a residential building permit, and the county has no zoning ordinance covering minimum lot size, setbacks, or where you can put an RV, tiny home or manufactured home¹². Septic systems go through the Perry County Health Department, the county's office of the Alabama Department of Public Health³. This is a wooded, affordable, low-density county: farmland runs about $2,354 an acre, and only 2.9% of its soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field⁴⁵.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required in unincorporated Perry County; no county building department¹
Zoning: None countywide; no county zoning ordinance in unincorporated Perry County²
Septic permits: Perry County Health Department, the local office of Alabama's ADPH³
Owner-builder exemption: Yes, statewide: owners can act as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home built for their own occupancy⁶
RV, tiny home & manufactured home living: Unrestricted at the county level (no zoning); manufactured homes must still meet Alabama's statewide size and hookup standards⁷⁸
Septic soil suitability: Only 2.9% of county soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field⁵
Property tax: Effective rate around 0.4%, median bill near $325/year⁹¹⁰

Who to call

Also useful

Perry County Commission

County governance and administration for Perry County; the county's department list carries no building, planning, codes or zoning office, so the Commission is the starting point for any question about how a piece of unincorporated land is handled

(334) 683-2200

300 Washington St, Marion, AL 36756

Septic permits

Perry County Health Department

Onsite sewage (septic) system applications and permits for Perry County, as the county office of the Alabama Department of Public Health

334-683-6153

1748 South Washington St., Marion, Alabama 36756

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 24, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Perry County, Alabama?

Unincorporated Perry County, Alabama does not require a residential building permit: the county's official site lists no building, codes or inspection department among its departments¹. That's what the county's own site shows today, not a state law that forbids a future permit program, so if you're unsure, confirm directly with the Perry County Commission at (334) 683-2200 before you build¹¹. Alabama law authorizes, but does not require, county commissions to adopt building laws and codes by ordinance for unincorporated areas, and Perry County does not appear to have exercised that authority¹². That's set to change either way: starting January 1, 2027, a residential home builder anywhere in Alabama must follow the Alabama Residential Building Code, or the local jurisdiction's own code where one has been adopted before that date¹³. Separately, Alabama's home-builder licensing law lets an owner act as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home built for their own occupancy, without hiring a licensed home builder⁶.

Who handles building and zoning matters in Perry County?

Perry County has no building, planning, zoning or codes department: the county's own site lists County Administration, the Revenue Commissioner, the Probate Judge, the Sheriff's Office, the Health Department and similar offices, but nothing for building permits or land-use review¹². For any general question about county rules or where a specific issue should go, start with the Perry County Commission at 300 Washington St, Marion, Alabama 36756, (334) 683-2200¹¹. Property records, appraisals and assessment mapping run through the Probate Judge's office and the Revenue Commissioner's office, both reachable through the county's main line¹¹.

Does Perry County have zoning?

No: Perry County has no countywide zoning ordinance, and Alabama law does not give counties broad, general land-use authority the way some states do, since it takes a specific local act of the Legislature to grant a county zoning power²¹⁴. Because Perry County has no zoning ordinance, there is no county-level rule on minimum lot size, setbacks, building height, or where you can place an RV, tiny home, manufactured home or accessory dwelling: state law simply doesn't hand this county the power to set those rules⁷. That's not a guarantee that nothing governs your parcel: a municipality inside the county can zone its own limits, and Perry County's official site lists Marion and Uniontown among its municipalities, so land inside those city limits follows the city's own rules instead of this county-level answer². Outside those cities, in unincorporated Perry County, Alabama's subdivision law lets a county regulate new subdivisions if it chooses to, but no source found here shows Perry County has adopted subdivision regulations¹⁵.

How do septic permits work in Perry County?

Septic systems in Perry County go through the Perry County Health Department, the county office of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), which lists onsite sewage applications and permits among its services³¹⁶. Alabama law requires anyone not connected to a public sanitary sewer system to get a permit from the local health department before installing a new onsite sewage system or repairing an existing one¹⁷. You apply by submitting an Application for a Permit to Install an Onsite Sewage Disposal System to the county health department; if it's complete and meets the rules, the department issues a Permit to Install, and only then can construction begin¹⁸. Soil is the real constraint here: only 2.9% of Perry County's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so budget for a site evaluation, and expect that a registered engineer may need to design your system if the soil doesn't percolate well or the water table sits too shallow⁵¹⁷. Reach the Perry County Health Department at 334-683-6153, 1748 South Washington St., Marion, Alabama 36756¹⁶.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Perry County?

Because Perry County has no zoning ordinance, there's no county-level rule against living in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home on your own unincorporated land, keeping a second small dwelling, or camping temporarily while you build⁷. Manufactured homes still have to clear Alabama's statewide bar to count as one: built on a permanent chassis, at least 8 body feet wide and 40 body feet long in traveling mode (or at least 320 square feet once erected on site), connected to required plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems, and installed by a certified installer⁸. None of this is a blanket promise: it means unincorporated Perry County itself doesn't restrict these uses, not that no rule anywhere touches your situation, since a deed restriction, a lender, an insurer, or a city ordinance near Marion or Uniontown can still apply⁷².

Building on land in Perry County: what to expect, in order

First, confirm there's no local wrinkle for your specific plans by calling the Perry County Commission at (334) 683-2200; the county's lack of a building department means no permit is required for ordinary construction, but that's not the same as every question being settled¹¹¹. Second, apply for your septic permit before you dig: contact the Perry County Health Department at 334-683-6153 and submit an Application for a Permit to Install an Onsite Sewage Disposal System, budgeting for a site evaluation given how limited the county's soils are¹⁶⁵. Third, if you plan to act as your own contractor on a one- or two-family home for your own occupancy, use Alabama's owner-builder exemption from home-builder licensing, as long as you supervise the work yourself, don't hire a paid supervisor, and don't sell the home within a year of finishing it⁶¹⁹. Fourth, if your driveway will connect to a state highway rather than a county or private road, apply for an ALDOT turnout permit (Form BM-111) before you cut in an entrance²⁰. Fifth, keep an eye on the calendar: starting January 1, 2027, Alabama's statewide Residential Building Code becomes mandatory for residential builders even here, unless Perry County has adopted its own local code by then¹³.

What to check before you buy land in Perry County

Perry County is affordable and rural: farmland runs around $2,354 an acre and a typical home is valued near $132,367, with a low effective property tax rate around 0.4% and a median annual bill of just $325⁴²¹⁹¹⁰. Soil is the biggest practical hurdle: only 2.9% of the county's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, even though the terrain itself is gentle, with 73.1% of land at 15% slope or less⁵²². It's also heavily wooded, at 73.5% forest cover, and gets a healthy 53.8 inches of rain a year with severe drought in only about 3.8% of years, so water usually isn't the limiting factor the way soil is²³²⁴²⁵. It's quiet and low-density too, at about 10.8 people per square mile and roughly 48 miles from the nearest metro area²⁶²⁷. Get a septic site evaluation early, and don't assume the absence of a building department means no rule ever applies to your parcel: confirm with the Perry County Commission, and if your land is inside or near Marion or Uniontown, check that city's own rules too¹¹².

Watch-outs

Perry County's lack of a building or zoning department reflects what the county's own site shows today, not a permanent guarantee; confirm with the Perry County Commission before you build, especially near the Marion or Uniontown city limits, where municipal rules can apply instead¹¹².
Starting January 1, 2027, Alabama's statewide Residential Building Code becomes mandatory for residential builders even in counties without their own local code, so factor that date into any construction timeline¹³.

Sources

Written September 24, 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.

How Perry County scores

Seclusion76100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency60100% ev.

Admin Boringness86100% ev.

Durability65100% ev.

Property Autonomy39100% ev.

Carry Cost89100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$132kTypical home

0.4%Property tax

$2,354Land / acre

53.8"Annual rain

3.8% of yrsSevere drought

14.9 / yr (+13.5)Mid-century 100°F days

16.7 daysMid-century dry spell

2.5" (+5.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.34×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,876Home insurance / yr

-0.7% / yrInsurance growth

1.63%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

6,164People within 30 min

1,747,769People within 2 hr

13,208Radius comparison (15 mi)

10.8People / sq mi

7.1%Federal land

73.1%Land at 15% slope or less

2.9%Septic soil without severe limits

13,302 acWorkable land screen

73.5%Wooded land

44.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac

64°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Perry County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Perry County rules

Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Who permits septicCounty
Onsite sewage and septic permitting and related environmental services in Perry County.
- The Perry County Health Department is the county-level office identified as providing onsite sewage applications and permits.
- The county health department operates within Alabama's statewide ADPH onsite sewage program.
“The Perry County Health Department provides the following services to the public. [...] Onsite Sewage - Applications and Permits”
Services — Perry County Health Department ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit processPartial
Onsite sewage disposal permit process administered for Perry County through the Perry County Health Department.
- Before construction, submit an Application for a Permit to Install an Onsite Sewage Disposal System to the local county health department.
- If the application and plans are complete and meet all rule requirements, the Permit to Install is issued; construction may begin only after issuance.
- The installer must be licensed by the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board.
- The Perry County Health Department page lists onsite sewage applications and permits as an environmental service.
“Before the construction of an onsite sewage disposal system, you must submit an Application for a Permit to Install an Onsite Sewage Disposal System to your local county health department. If the application and plans are complete and meet all the requirements of the rules, a 'Permit to Install' will be issued. Then and only then can you begin the construction of your system. Make sure that your system installer is licensed by the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board (AOWB).”
Services | Perry County Health Department ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
County-wide zoningAbsent
No county planning or zoning department is listed on the county's official site; Alabama counties generally lack county-wide zoning authority in unincorporated areas absent a specific enabling local act.
Perry County, AL (official county government site) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Alabama rules that apply here

Building permitLimited
Residential construction undertakings in Alabama for which the Home Builders Licensure Law requires a residential home builders license and a local incorporated municipality, municipal subdivision, or county authority issues the building or similar permit.
- The issuing building official must refuse the permit unless the applicant provides evidence of the required license or an exemption.
- The cited provision addresses undertakings requiring a license; it does not establish that every residential project statewide requires a building permit.
- Local building-permit rules and local building codes remain applicable.
“to refuse to issue a permit for any undertaking which would require a license hereunder unless the applicant has furnished evidence”
Home Builders Licensure Law ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Owner-builder exemptionConditional
Owners building or improving one-family or two-family residences in Alabama for their own occupancy or use.
- The owner must act as the owner's own contractor.
- The owner must provide all material supervision personally.
- The residence must be a one-family or two-family residence on the owner's property.
- The residence must be for the occupancy or use of the owners and must not be offered for sale.
- The exemption is nontransferable.
- A homeowner who hires or compensates anyone to supervise the building or improvement is not acting as the owner's own contractor.
- Subcontractors hired by an exempt homeowner must be licensed if the cost of the subcontractor's portion exceeds $10,000.
- Offering the residence for sale within one year after substantial completion is presumptive evidence that construction was undertaken for sale.
subcontractor portion cost threshold: > 10000 USD (subcontractor must be licensed when the threshold is exceeded) · sale-offer period: 1 year after substantial completion (sale or offer for sale is presumptive evidence of construction for sale)
“Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing all material supervision themselves, when building or improving one-family or two-family residences”
Exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Available — Owners acting as their own contractor for building or improving one-family or two-family residences in Alabama, including Perry County, for the owners' own occupancy or use.
  “Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing all material supervision themselves, when building or improving one-family or two-family residences on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners and not offered for sale. This exemption is a nontransferable privilege.”
  Exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
- Available (with conditions) — Alabama Home Builders Licensure Law licensing exemption for an owner acting as the owner’s own residential contractor when building or improving a one-family or two-family residence for the owner’s own occupancy or use.
  “Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing all material supervision themselves, when building or improving one-family or two-family residences on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners and not offered for sale. This exemption is a nontransferable privilege.”
  Exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Building code adoptedPartial
Residential construction and improvements governed by Alabama's Home Builders Licensure Law, including construction in local jurisdictions without an already adopted residential building code.
- The Home Builders Licensure Board has sole authority to adopt the Alabama Residential Building Code and Alabama Residential Energy Code.
- The statewide residential building code is stated by the official HBLB Spring 2026 newsletter to go into effect January 1, 2027.
- The statewide code establishes minimum standards in local jurisdictions that do not already have an adopted residential building code.
- Local jurisdictions with an adopted code and enforcement do not need to make a change under the described transition framework.
- The 2025 statute provides that the Alabama Residential Building Code does not supersede a local residential building code adopted by a county or municipality in effect on January 1, 2027.
- A local building code adopted after January 1, 2027, must meet the minimum standards of the Alabama Residential Building Code and Alabama Residential Energy Code in effect when adopted; local conditions may support amendments, subject to the statutory limits.
- The Alabama Residential Building Code does not apply to an agricultural building except for a residence contained therein.
statewide residential building code effective date: 2027-01-01 · post-2027 local-code minimum: must meet the Alabama Residential Building Code and Alabama Residential Energy Code minimum standards (Local conditions may require amendments subject to statutory limits.)
“Beginning January 1, 2027, a residential home builder within this state who constructs, renovates, or repairs a residence or structure shall do so”
Home Builders Licensure Law and 2025 legislative changes ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
9 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted (with conditions) — State Building Code requirements administered and enforced by the Alabama Division of Construction Management for state-owned or state-funded construction, K-12 schools, public postsecondary schools, hotels and motels, movie theaters, and other work within DCM jurisdiction.
  “The State Building Code is limited to any new construction, addition, renovation, modification of mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems, sitework and generally any and all work on state-owned property and/or using state funds, on all public and private kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) schools, on public postsecondary schools, on hotels/motels and on movie theaters. DCM's code jurisdiction over plans and specifications of all municipal and county-owned projects is limited to such projects meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards. DCM does not have jurisdiction over residential property or commercial property except for hotels/motels and movie theaters.”
  State Building Code ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
- Partial — Residential construction and improvements governed by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Law, including ordinary residential construction beginning January 1, 2027.
  “The Alabama Residential Building Code shall be enforced by local jurisdictions that have permitting and inspection programs for residential construction and improvements that are adhered to by residential home builders. The Alabama Residential Building Code shall not supersede any local residential building code adopted by any county or municipality in effect on January 1, 2027. [...] Beginning January 1, 2027, a residential home builder within this state who constructs, renovates, or repairs a residence or structure shall do so in accordance with applicable residential building code adopted pursuant to Section 34-14A-12 or, if applicable, the local jurisdiction’s residential building code.”
  Home Builders Licensure Law, Effective October 1, 2025 ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
- Partial — Construction within the Alabama Division of Construction Management jurisdiction, including state-owned or state-funded work, public and private K-12 schools, public higher-education institutions, hotels, motels, and movie theaters.
  “The 2021 International Building Code [...] DCM does not have jurisdiction over residential property or commercial property except for hotels/motels and movie theaters.”
  Division of Construction Management — State Building Code ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
- Partial — Construction within the Alabama Division of Construction Management jurisdiction, including state-owned or state-funded property, public and private K-12 schools, public higher-education institutions subject to the stated ACCS limitation, hotels/motels, and movie theaters.
  “The State Building Code is limited to any new construction, addition, renovation, modification of mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems, sitework”
  State Building Code ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
- Partial — Residential building-code investigations by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board involving contracts entered into on or after February 13, 2022, in Alabama cities and counties that have not adopted a residential building code.
  “In cities and counties that have not adopted a residential building code, the Board will apply the 2015 International Residential building Code (IRC)”
  Administrative Rules and Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
- Partial — Alabama's statutory framework authorizing county commissions to adopt building laws and codes for unincorporated areas and recognizing municipal building laws or codes within municipal police jurisdictions.
  “The county commissions of the several counties are authorized and empowered to adopt building laws and codes by ordinance”
  Home Builders Licensure Law ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
- Partial — Residential construction and improvements statewide under the Alabama Residential Building Code framework.
  “The Alabama Residential Building Code shall not supersede any local residential building code adopted by any county or municipality in effect on January 1, 2027.”
  Home Builders Licensure Board Law Effective October 1, 2025 ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
- Partial — Projects within the Alabama Division of Construction Management's State Building Code jurisdiction, including state construction and specified school, hotel/motel, and movie-theater projects; not ordinary residential property.
  “DCM does not have jurisdiction over residential property or commercial property except for hotels/motels and movie theaters.”
  Division of Construction Management Building Code Jurisdiction ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Partial — Residential construction in Alabama where a county or municipality has a permitting and inspection program or has adopted a local residential building code; this is not a uniform DCM residential-code jurisdiction.
  “The Alabama Residential Building Code shall be enforced by local jurisdictions”
  Home Builders Licensure Board Law, Effective October 1, 2025 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
InspectionsLimited
Required DCM construction inspections, pre-construction conferences, and substantial-completion determinations for projects within the narrower DCM inspection jurisdiction.
- DCM-required inspections are limited to state-funded construction, any project on state-owned property, public K-12 schools including charter schools, public universities, and ACCS projects with Notices-to-Proceed issued before August 1, 2021.
- DCM's broader plan-review/code jurisdiction also includes private K-12 schools, hotels/motels, and movie theaters, but the official DCM jurisdiction page does not include those categories in its stated required-inspection list.
- Inspections must be requested by the contractor in writing or by email to the design professional, who coordinates with the DCM inspector.
- A permit fee must be paid before scheduling the required DCM pre-construction conference; inspection benchmarks, including periodic, special, final, and year-end inspections when applicable, must then be met.
- Fully locally-funded public K-12 projects require DCM pre-construction conferences and inspections regardless of estimated construction cost.
“Conducts required pre-construction conferences, inspections and substantial completions limited to state-funded construction, any project on state-owned property, public K-12 (including charter) schools, on public universities, and on ACCS projects with Notices-to-Proceed issued prior to August 1, 2021.”
About DCM — Jurisdiction and Divisions ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Residential construction and improvements in Alabama local jurisdictions that have permitting and inspection programs.
  “The Alabama Residential Building Code shall be enforced by local jurisdictions that have permitting and inspection programs for residential construction and improvements”
  Home Builders Licensure Law, effective October 1, 2024 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Residential projects in Alabama municipalities that issue a certificate of occupancy and for which the builder is subject to the Home Builders Licensure Law.
- An updated list of subcontractors must be furnished before issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the municipality.
- The provision does not establish a statewide requirement that every residential project obtain a certificate of occupancy.
- The builder must provide the subcontractor list within three working days after hiring an added subcontractor; the initial list is due within 15 days after issuance of the building permit if requested by the issuing municipality.
- No license fee for subcontractors is required as a condition of issuing a building permit or certificate of occupancy.
initial subcontractor list deadline: 15 days after building permit issuance (only if requested by the issuing municipality) · added subcontractor list deadline: 3 working days after hiring
“An updated list of subcontractors shall be furnished by the builder before the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the municipality.”
§ 34-14A-13 Issuance of permits ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Septic permitRequired
New onsite sewage disposal systems and repairs to existing systems in Perry County when the property is not connected to a public sanitary sewer system.
- A permit from the local health department is required before installing a new system or making repairs to an existing onsite sewage disposal system.
- A registered engineer must perform required tests for designed systems where soil will not percolate well, where average seasonal high extended saturation is shallower than allowed for conventional systems, or for large systems.
- The permit application must include professional soils information, a legal description, a plot plan, a vicinity map, and in some instances a construction plan.
- The owner or agent must submit the application with the applicable fee for review.
- The permit is issued if the application is approved after health-department review of the application and soil-test results.
- The health department must be contacted before installation begins.
“Alabama State Law requires homeowners and businesses not connected to a public sanitary sewer system to obtain a permit from the local health department”
Onsite Sewage — Alabama Department of Public Health ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Homeowners and businesses statewide that are not connected to a public sanitary sewer and intend to install a new onsite sewage system or repair an existing one.
  “Alabama State Law requires homeowners and businesses not connected to a public sanitary sewer to obtain a permit from the local health department”
  Onsite Sewage Disposal ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)
Use of an onsite septic/onsite sewage treatment and disposal system instead of connection to a municipal sewer where municipal sewers are unavailable or impractical.
- The system must comply with ADPH onsite sewage rules.
- A Permit to Install is required before construction.
- Inspection and an Approval for Use are required before occupancy.
- Site and soil suitability, professional design, and local health-department review may be required.
“Septic tank systems are used where municipal sewers are not available or are impractical.”
Septic Tank Systems ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Use of an onsite sewage disposal system instead of a public sanitary sewer in Perry County.
  “requirements for the design, permitting, installation, approval, and use of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems.”
  Onsite Sewage — Alabama Department of Public Health ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Well permitLimited
Water-well drilling in Perry County, including private-well drilling.
- The person proposing to drill must file an application for a water-well driller's license and pay the stated annual fee.
- A Notification of Intent to drill must be filed before work begins.
- A Certification of Completion must be filed within 30 days after completion.
- The rule states that the board shall notify local health authorities within 7 days after receiving the completion certification.
- The cited rule addresses drilling licensure and notifications; it does not establish that an individual private-well owner must obtain a separate permit.
annual water-well driller license fee: 200 USD (payable with the annual application on or before September 30)
“Every person who proposes to drill a water well in the State of Alabama shall file [...] an application for a water well driller’s license”
ADEM Water Well Standards Program, Division 335-9 ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — New groundwater wells and alterations to existing groundwater wells extracting at least 50 gallons per minute when the well is in Alabama's coastal area or its 50-year capture zone extends into the coastal area.
  “The installation of a new well, or alteration of an existing well, for the purposes of extracting groundwater”
  Coastal Permitting Information ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupConditional
Residential or mobile/modular-home development statewide where wastewater service is being planned.
- The property should be checked with the city sewer authority or local health department for availability of city sewage disposal.
- If public sanitary sewer is unavailable or the property is not connected to it, an onsite sewage system may be used only under the applicable ADPH permit and approval requirements.
- The source does not establish a statewide mandatory connection-to-sewer rule.
“If it is not, you will be required to have the soil tested to see if the soil is suitable”
Can I Live On This Lot? ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Alabama residential-home-builder licensing requirements, including work in Perry County, for qualifying agricultural buildings.
- The exemption applies to agricultural buildings as defined in Ala. Admin. Code r. 465-X-1-.01(3).
- The exemption does not apply to any residence contained in the agricultural building.
- The rule also separately exempts qualifying owner-builders constructing one-family or two-family residences for their own occupancy or use, subject to the stated conditions that the residence is not offered for sale to the public and that the owner provides all material supervision.
- The rule history states an amendment effective October 12, 2018.
covered structure: agricultural building (residence contained therein)
“465-X-3-.03 Exemptions. The licensing requirements of the Act shall not apply to: [...] (7) Agricultural buildings, as defined in Ala. Admin. Code r. 465-X-1-.01(3), except for any residence contained therein.”
Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board Rules and Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Available (with conditions) — Agricultural buildings under the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board residential home-builder licensing rules.
  “Agricultural buildings, as defined in Ala. Admin. Code r. 465-X-1-.01(3), except for any residence contained therein.”
  Alabama Administrative Code, Home Builders Licensure Board Rules and Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision development in Alabama, including county authority in unincorporated areas and applicable municipal-planning-commission territorial jurisdictions.
- Alabama does not require every county commission to adopt subdivision regulations.
- A county may regulate subdivision development under Ala. Code § 11-24-1 et seq. if it adopts regulations and complies with statutory procedures and enforcement requirements.
- For municipal planning commission extraterritorial areas, a county that has adopted subdivision regulations is responsible unless the statutory agreement or municipal override exceptions apply.
- The cited handbook describes infrastructure controls for new development in unincorporated county areas but does not establish statewide minimum lot dimensions.
“While there is no requirement in Alabama that the county commission adopt regulations regarding subdivision development, Ala. Code § 11-24-1 et seq. provides strong statutory authority for each county to regulate subdivision development within its territorial jurisdiction.”
Handbook for Alabama County Commissioners ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
Driveway or turnout access from private, publicly owned, or commercial facilities to Alabama state highways, including such access in Perry County.
- A permit is required for a turnout on State right-of-way.
- Applicants must submit Permit Form BM-111 to the District Administrator.
- The rule regulates entrance width, radii, placement, intersecting streets and crossovers, angle of entry, vertical alignment, drainage, and the number of entrances to a single property.
- Grading, landscaping, or drainage not associated with the drive requires Permit Form MB-05.
“Individuals or businesses which require access to State highways must apply for a permit by submitting a completed BM-111 application to the District Administrator.”
ALDOT Permit Manual ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Constructing a driveway, turnout, or other access from private, publicly owned, or commercial property to an Alabama state highway.
  “Individuals or businesses which require access to State highways must apply for a permit by submitting a completed BM-111 application to the District Administrator.”
  ALDOT Permit Manual ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Development in a Special Flood Hazard Area within an Alabama community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.
- The actual development permit is administered by the local building or floodplain official.
- More stringent local requirements may apply.
- Additions or improvements valued at 50% or more of the existing structure's market value are substantial improvements and generally trigger bringing the entire structure into compliance with mapped elevations.
substantial-improvement threshold: >= 50 percent of existing structure market value
“When a community chooses to participate in the NFIP, it must require permits for all development in the SFHA”
My house is in a floodplain. What do I do if I want to build an addition or otherwise improve it? ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Alabama construction sites requiring ADEM Construction Stormwater permit coverage.
- Coverage is generally required for land disturbance of one or more acres, qualifying common plans of development, or discharges with reasonable potential to cause or contribute to a water-quality concern.
- Certain listed minor land-disturbing activities are exempt.
- Lake Martin has a special designation requiring coverage for non-exempt projects even when disturbance is less than one acre.
application fee: 1385 USD
“An application fee of $1,385.00 will be required upon submission of an application.”
Do I Need Permit Coverage? ↗Re-checked Sep 8, 2026
county zoning authorityLimited
Alabama county authority to adopt zoning for unincorporated land.
- Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law.
- Limited authority may arise through county-specific local laws, including examples identified by the handbook for Baldwin, Russell, Shelby, and Jefferson Counties.
- Counties may regulate land use in flood-prone areas under Ala. Code § 11-19-1 et seq.; flood-prone areas are areas with a frequency of inundation of once in 100 years as defined by qualified hydrologists or engineers using generally accepted methods.
- Counties may adopt airport zoning regulations under Ala. Code § 4-6-4 to prevent airport hazards within airport hazard areas.
- For airport zoning, the county zoning jurisdiction is unincorporated county land except within a municipality's police jurisdiction and within two miles of a municipal airport when the municipality exercises or declares its intention to exercise zoning control, unless local law provides otherwise.
- The handbook notes an exception to the airport-zoning provision for counties with a population of not less than 54,500 nor more than 56,000 according to the 1970 federal decennial census.
“Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law, although several counties have created some form of planning and zoning authority by local law. However, as set out below, the Legislature has granted limited authority to county governing bodies to address certain special circumstances related to use of land within the territorial jurisdiction of the county.”
Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — County authority over land use and zoning in unincorporated Alabama; general Alabama law does not grant counties broad general zoning authority, but limited authority exists through special local laws and specified statutory circumstances.
  “Counties in Alabama do not have broad and general land use regulatory authority under general Alabama law”
  Handbook for Alabama County Commissioners, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
county building authorityGeneral
Alabama county commissions adopting and administering residential building laws and codes in unincorporated areas.
- A county commission must act by resolution to adopt building laws or codes.
- The resolution must be provided to the Home Builders Licensure Board within 10 business days.
- A local building law or code generally may not take effect until 120 days after adoption; for insurance claims requiring licensed work, the effective date is the date of adoption.
- County building laws and codes may be enforced in a municipality's police jurisdiction outside municipal corporate limits as provided by Section 11-40-10(b)(2).
- Application within municipal corporate limits requires express consent of the municipal governing body.
- The county commission may employ building inspectors and exact fees from owners of inspected property.
- A county may discontinue administration and enforcement by resolution, but discontinuation generally does not take effect until 120 days after adoption and the resolution must be sent to the Board within 10 business days.
- Counties and municipalities may enter mutual agreements, compacts, and contracts for administration and enforcement, with a copy due to the Board within 10 business days.
- Beginning January 1, 2027, residential builders must follow the applicable state or local residential building code.
resolution transmission deadline: 10 business days (Copy must be provided to the Home Builders Licensure Board.) · local-code delayed effective period: 120 days (Insurance-claim work requiring a license is effective on the local adoption date.)
“A county commission, by resolution, may adopt building laws and codes”
Home Builders Licensure Board Law, Effective October 1, 2025 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- General — Alabama county authority to adopt and enforce residential building laws and codes in unincorporated areas.
  “There are two general statutory provisions authorizing counties to adopt building codes: the Home Builders Licensure Law found at Ala. Code § 34-14A-1 et seq. and the law on the state minimum building standards code found at Ala. Code § 41-9-160 et seq.”
  Alabama County Commissioners Handbook, 13th Edition ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

Septic inspection — Inspection of onsite sewage systems in Perry County.
Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Perry County, including unincorporated areas and excluding any separately enacted municipal rules unless independently established.

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.

Living off-grid in Perry County, Alabama

Is Perry County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Perry County scores 79/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

Do you need a building permit in Perry County, Alabama?

Perry County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Perry County Health Department (Environmental Health) under Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Perry County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Perry County is allowed: Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Alabama law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Perry County has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing perrycountyal.gov. Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits. Alabama counties lack broad, general land-use regulatory authority under general Alabama law. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Perry County, Alabama?

Land in Perry County runs about $2,354 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Perry County?

Perry County gets about 53.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3.8% of years.

How remote is Perry County?

A representative private-land location has about 6,164 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,747,769 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Perry County, Alabama

At a glance

Who to call

Do you need a building permit in Perry County, Alabama?

Who handles building and zoning matters in Perry County?

Does Perry County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Perry County?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Perry County?

Building on land in Perry County: what to expect, in order

What to check before you buy land in Perry County

Watch-outs

Sources

Perry County in Alabama

How Perry County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Perry County

Perry County rules

Alabama rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Perry County, Alabama

Is Perry County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Do you need a building permit in Perry County, Alabama?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Perry County?

How much does land cost in Perry County, Alabama?

What is the water situation in Perry County?

How remote is Perry County?

How Perry compares in Alabama