Bolthole Index

Shelby County, Alabama

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Montevallo, Alabama

Montevallo, Alabama has its own zoning ordinance with published districts12. The city outsources building inspections to Shelby County Development Services3, and the county's checklist routes Montevallo zoning approval through county Planning Services4. Septic permits come from the Shelby County Health Department when a lot is not on public sewer5.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, the city has its own zoning districts12
Building inspections
Outsourced to Shelby County Development Services3
Zoning approval for a permit
Shelby County Planning Services provides it for Montevallo projects4
Septic
Permit to Install from the county health department if not on public sewer5
RV living
Not allowed on a residential lot; temporary parking up to three days6
Flood zones
Lowest floor at least five feet above base flood elevation7
Owner-builder
State exemption for your own one- or two-family home; Montevallo's own rule unconfirmed8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Montevallo, City Clerk's Office

City hall contact for zoning questions and permits; the city refers building inspections to Shelby County

205-665-2555

541 Main Street Montevallo, AL 35115

Planning & zoning

Shelby County Permits and Inspections ("What to Bring" checklist)

County building permit checklist, including zoning approval for Montevallo projects

(205) 620-6650

Septic permits

Shelby County Health Department

Sewer/septic tank authorization for building permit applications

(205) 685-4178

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Montevallo, Alabama have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs and lot size?

Yes. Montevallo has an adopted zoning ordinance with area and dimensional regulations1. Its table covers A-O, R-1, NC-1 through NC-4, D-1, D-2, UM, AV, GTC, UC, HC/GC and M-1 districts2. Exceptions in Articles XV and XVII can change a given lot's numbers, so confirm your parcel's district before you buy.

In the A-O district, single-family lots need 3 acres, with 40-foot front and rear yards and a 20-foot side yard9. In R-1, the minimum lot is 1 acre with the same yard figures10. Both districts cap height at 2.5 stories and 35 feet1112. In A-O, barns and other structures housing animals must sit at least 100 feet from any property line11.

You cannot live in an RV on a residential lot in Montevallo: the city code bars using one for living, sleeping or housekeeping there6. Temporary parking is limited to three days, and no RV may sit on a vacant lot6. We could not confirm a rule on tiny homes or accessory dwelling units; ask the City Clerk at 205-665-25553.

Do you need a building permit in Montevallo, and who issues it?

Montevallo outsources building inspections to Shelby County Development Services3. The county's permit checklist lists zoning approval as a step before applying for a county building permit and names Montevallo among the places where county Planning Services provides that approval4. Shelby County says any new construction in its jurisdiction needs a building permit13.

We could not confirm which office takes the building permit application inside Montevallo city limits, the adopted building-code edition, or when a certificate of occupancy is required. Call the City Clerk at 205-665-2555 and Shelby County Permits and Inspections at (205) 620-6650 before you pour a foundation34.

When a project needs site-plan review, no building permit issues until the site plan is certified and on file with the building department14. The county will also require a flood plain development permit when a project sits in a FEMA flood plain4.

Who handles septic permits for a lot in Montevallo?

Septic permits are a county health matter, not a city one. Before building an onsite sewage system, you must apply to your local county health department for a Permit to Install, and construction may start only after it is issued5. In Shelby County the contact is the Shelby County Health Department at (205) 685-417815.

Most lots inside a city are on public sewer, and the county's checklist accepts a paid impact fee letter in place of a septic authorization when a property is on sewer15. We could not confirm Montevallo's sewer connection rule for individual new homes; ask the City Clerk whether sewer reaches your lot3.

Soils matter on outlying lots: across Shelby County, about 19% of soils rate "not limited" for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system16.

Building a home in Montevallo: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm your parcel's zoning district and setbacks in the city's zoning ordinance2.
  2. Get zoning approval; the county's checklist says Planning Services provides it for Montevallo projects4.
  3. If the lot is not on public sewer, get a septic authorization from the Shelby County Health Department15.
  4. If the lot is in a flood hazard area, plan the lowest floor at least five feet above base flood elevation7.
  5. Apply for the building permit and schedule inspections through Shelby County Permits and Inspections34.

Alabama exempts an owner who acts as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home for personal occupancy from home builder licensing8. Whether Montevallo adds its own owner-builder rule is unconfirmed.

What stays with Shelby County, and what to check before you buy in Montevallo

Land outside Montevallo city limits falls under Shelby County's rules; see the Shelby County page for unincorporated land. City limits matter because the county's zoning map applies only outside municipal limits17.

Before buying, check four things. First, whether the lot sits in a flood hazard area; manufactured homes there need their lowest floor at least five feet above base flood elevation and a securely anchored foundation18. Second, the lot's zoning district and its minimum lot size. Third, sewer or septic access. Fourth, a driveway onto a state highway needs a permit from the Alabama Department of Transportation19.

Shelby County's typical home value is about $362,04920, and its effective property tax rate is 0.4%21. These are county-level figures, not Montevallo-specific.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Montevallo's fee schedule for building or zoning permits; ask the City Clerk at 205-665-25553.
  • A recreational vehicle may not be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping on a residential lot in Montevallo, and temporary parking is capped at three days6.
  • Montevallo's building-code edition, inspection schedule and certificate-of-occupancy rules were not confirmed; Shelby County Development Services handles building inspections3.

Sources

  1. Code of Ordinances: Article VII, Area and Dimensional Regulations, Sec. 1 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  2. Code of Ordinances: Article VII, Area and Dimensional Regulations, Sec. 1 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  3. City of Montevallo, City Clerk's Office (cityofmontevallo.com)
  4. Shelby County Permits and Inspections ("What to Bring" checklist) (shelbyal.com)
  5. Can I Live On This Lot?, quoted and re-checked
  6. Code of Ordinances: Article V, General Regulations, Sec. 13 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  7. Code of Ordinances: Article XXIV, Floods, Sec. 11-330 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  8. Exemptions (2026 county census)
  9. Code of Ordinances: Article VII, Area and Dimensional Regulations, Sec. 1 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  10. Code of Ordinances: Article VII, Area and Dimensional Regulations, Sec. 1 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  11. Code of Ordinances: Article VII, Area and Dimensional Regulations, Sec. 1 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  12. Code of Ordinances: Article VII, Area and Dimensional Regulations, Sec. 1 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  13. Permits and Inspections (2026 county census)
  14. Code of Ordinances: Article XVII, Administration, Sec. 12 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  15. Shelby County Health Department (shelbyal.com)
  16. 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
  17. Zoning Regulations of Shelby County, Alabama (2026 county census)
  18. Code of Ordinances: Article XXIV, Floods, Sec. 11-342 (Montevallo), quoted and re-checked
  19. ALDOT Permit Manual (Alabama statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  21. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 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 Montevallo

Montevallo’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Montevallo city limits; the city has an adopted zoning ordinance with zoning districts and dimensional regulations.

    “except as provided by article xv, and xvii, the area and dimensional regulations set forth in the following table shall be observed.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and dimensional schedule inside Montevallo city limits.

    • The published table identifies A-O, R-1, NC-1, NC-2, NC-3, NC-4, D-1, D-2, UM, AV, GTC, UC, HC/GC, and M-1 districts.
    • District-specific requirements vary, and Article XV and Article XVII exceptions apply.
    “nc-1 2.5 35 40 40 12 25 15,000 100 nc-2 2.5 35 25 25 6 14 c 70 nc-3 2.5 35 25 25 6 14 6,000 50 nc-4 2.5 35 25 25 6 14 6,000 50 d-1, d-2 2.5 35 e e e e e e um 2.5 35 25 25 6 14 6,000 50 av;sup\sup; 2.5 35 200/80 (f) 40 20 50 - - gtc 2.5 35 40 0 0 0 - - uc 2.5 35 0 20 0 0 2,500 25 hc/gc 2.5 35 10 0 0 0 - 0 m-1 3.5 50 10 0 10 30 - 0”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family residential development in the A-O district inside Montevallo city limits.

    • The table states front yard 40 feet, rear yard 40 feet, one side yard 20 feet, and total side yards 50 feet.
    • Article XV and Article XVII exceptions may apply.

    front yard: >= 40 feet (A-O district) · rear yard: >= 40 feet (A-O district) · one side yard: >= 20 feet (A-O district) · total side yards: >= 50 feet (A-O district)

    “a-o;sup\sup; 2.5 35 40 40 20 50 3 acres 100”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Structures in the A-O district inside Montevallo city limits.

    • Maximum height is 2.5 stories and 35 feet.
    • The table footnote states the maximum height does not apply to barns, silos, or steeples; no structure housing animals may be located closer than 100 feet from any property line.
    • Article XV and Article XVII exceptions may apply.

    maximum height: <= 35 feet (A-O district) · maximum height: <= 2.5 stories (A-O district)

    “maximum height does not apply to barns, silos or steeples; no structure housing animals (kennels, barns, henhouses and the like) shall be located closer than 100 feet from any property line.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Major recreational vehicles parked or stored on residential lots inside Montevallo city limits.

    • Storage or parking on a residential lot must be in an enclosed building or carport, or positioned so no portion extends in front of the principal dwelling and required side and rear distances are maintained.
    • On corner lots, the vehicle must be behind the principal dwelling or on the side away from the street.
    • No recreational vehicle may be parked in a vacant lot or on a lot with an unoccupied principal dwelling.
    • Temporary parking may not exceed three days.
    • The vehicle may not be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping on a residential lot or at any location not approved for that use.

    temporary parking duration: <= 3 days (Temporary parking only)

    “temporary parking of recreational vehicles may be permitted for a period not to exceed three days. no such equipment shall be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot or in any location not approved for such use.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes placed or substantially improved in specified flood-hazard locations inside Montevallo city limits.

    • Where base flood elevation data are available, the lowest floor including basement must be elevated at least five feet above base flood elevation.
    • Manufactured homes must be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system.
    • The rule applies to individual lots or parcels, new or substantially improved manufactured-home parks or subdivisions, expansions, and substantially flood-damaged sites as specified in the section.

    minimum elevation above base flood elevation: >= 5 feet (Where base flood elevation data are available)

    “where base flood elevation data are available: (a) all manufactured homes placed or substantially improved on: (i) individual lots or parcels, (ii) in new or substantially improved manufactured home parks or subdivisions, (iii) in expansions to existing manufactured home parks or subdivisions, or (iv) on a site in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision where a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage" as the result of a flood, must have the lowest floor including basement elevated no lower than five feet above the base flood elevation.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction and substantial improvements in areas of special flood hazard inside Montevallo city limits.

    • Structures must be anchored against flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.
    • Materials and utility equipment must resist flood damage.
    • Construction methods must minimize flood damage.
    • Additional requirements apply to enclosed areas below the lowest floor, utilities, manufactured homes, water systems, sanitary sewage systems, on-site waste disposal systems, and fill in the floodway fringe.
    • Where base flood elevation data are available, the lowest floor of new construction or substantial improvements must be at least five feet above base flood elevation.

    minimum elevation above base flood elevation: >= 5 feet (Where base flood elevation data are available)

    “In all areas of special flood hazard the following provisions are required: (1) New construction and substantial improvements of existing structures shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure;”
  • Permit processPartial

    Site-plan review and building-permit sequencing for regulated development inside Montevallo city limits.

    • The city clerk receives compliant applications and schedules them for planning-commission consideration.
    • The planning commission may approve, approve with conditions, deny, or continue consideration.
    • No building permit may issue for a project requiring site-plan review until the site plan is certified and on file with the building department.
    • The cited process applies only to developments subject to site-plan review.
    “in such instances, no building permit will be issued until the site plan has been certified and is on file with the building department.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from local building-permit or contractor requirements inside Montevallo city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Residential and other building-code adoption inside Montevallo city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Montevallo city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Montevallo city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area inside Montevallo city limits.
14 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Montevallo publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Shelby County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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