Bolthole Index

Shelby County, Alabama

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Pelham, Alabama

Pelham, Alabama (Shelby County) runs its own zoning through the city Planning Commission and City Council1, and the city Building Department issues building permits and inspects residential construction inside city limits2. Septic permits are not a city function: they come from the county health department where public sewer is not available3. RVs and tiny homes on wheels cannot be permanent homes in Pelham4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside Pelham; issued by the city Building Department through its online portal25
Zoning
Yes, administered by the city; requests go to the Planning Commission first1
Septic
Permit from the local county health department where sewer is not available; city-specific rule not confirmed3
RV living
No permanent residence; temporary stays only in RV parks, up to two consecutive weeks6
Tiny homes on wheels
Not allowed as permanent residences4
Manufactured homes
Generally limited to manufactured-home parks, with exceptions in the A-1 and planned unit development districts7
Owner-builder
Alabama licensing exemption for owners building their own one- or two-family home; city permits still apply82

Who to call

Building permits

City of Pelham Building Department

Building permits and inspections for residential and commercial construction inside Pelham city limits

205.620.6495

3162 Pelham Pkwy, Pelham, AL 35124

Planning & zoning

City of Pelham Planning & Zoning

Zoning requests, zoning map and ordinance changes, and subdivisions inside Pelham city limits

205.620.6400

3162 Pelham Pkwy, Pelham, AL 35124

Septic permits

Shelby County Health Department

Septic (onsite sewage) permits and the septic or sewer authorization form used with 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 Pelham means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Does Pelham, Alabama have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs and tiny homes?

Yes. Pelham administers its own zoning inside city limits, and every zoning request goes to the nine-member Planning Commission before the City Council19. The city's zoning map and zoning ordinance are linked from its Planning & Zoning page1.

Pelham's rules for living outside a conventional house are strict. RVs, tiny homes on wheels and similar portable structures cannot be a permanent residence in Pelham, and temporary occupancy is limited to recreational vehicle parks4. No RV may be occupied by one person or family for more than two consecutive weeks6.

Manufactured homes must meet the HUD Code and, apart from the A-1 agricultural and planned unit development districts, belong in authorized manufactured-home parks7. Accessory dwellings need their own accessory dwelling permit10. Minimum lot sizes, setbacks and lot coverage for Pelham's main residential and agricultural districts are in the zoning ordinance, and we could not confirm them here: ask Planning & Zoning at 205.620.64009.

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

Yes. The City of Pelham Building Department issues building permits and inspects all commercial and residential construction within the city limits211. Applicants create an account in the city's Citizen Access Portal, then submit permit applications, plans and related documents there5. The city also publishes a Residential Permit Procedures Handbook5.

Pelham has adopted the 2021 International Building Code and 2021 International Residential Code, among other model codes12. Inside Pelham, the Shelby County permit counter is not the office for building permits; the city Building Department is2. Alabama also exempts owners who act as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home for their own use from home-builder licensing, but that exemption does not waive city permits8. Whether Pelham has its own owner-builder rules we could not confirm; ask the Building Department.

How do septic permits work inside Pelham?

Septic permits are not issued by the City of Pelham's Building Department. Alabama law requires homeowners not connected to a public sanitary sewer to get a permit from the local health department before installing or repairing an onsite system3. For Shelby County, that is the Shelby County Health Department at (205) 685-417813.

Most lots inside a city sit on public sewer, and Pelham requires public water and sewer for its cottage developments14. We could not confirm whether any Pelham address can use a septic system or a private well, or whether Pelham adds its own septic rules, so call the health department and the Building Department before you rely on either.

Building a home in Pelham: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district and what it allows with Pelham Planning & Zoning at 205.620.64009.
  2. Confirm public sewer or get septic authorization from the Shelby County Health Department at (205) 685-417813.
  3. Check whether the lot touches a special flood hazard area; Pelham limits development there and requires an engineer's certification for encroachments near streams15.
  4. Confirm the lot fronts a public street, or has an access easement approved by the fire official or an approved private street16.
  5. Create a Citizen Access Portal account and submit plans for a building permit5.
  6. Schedule inspections with the city Building Department, which inspects residential construction inside city limits17.

What stays with Shelby County, and what should you check before you buy in Pelham?

Septic permits and the Health Department's sewer or septic authorization stay with the Shelby County Health Department13. Land outside Pelham's limits follows different rules; see the Shelby County page for unincorporated Shelby County.

Before you buy, ask Pelham Planning & Zoning for the district and its lot, setback and dwelling-size rules, which we could not confirm9. Property tax is a county figure: Shelby County's effective property tax rate is 0.4%18.

Watch-outs

  • Pelham's minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size and setbacks for ordinary residential districts could not be confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning before you buy9.
  • Search results for permits near Pelham often show Shelby County's Permits and Inspections office, which serves unincorporated land; inside Pelham, the city Building Department issues building permits2.
  • An RV is not a way to live on a Pelham lot while you build: occupancy is limited to RV parks and two consecutive weeks6.

Sources

  1. Planning & Zoning (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  2. Building Department (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite Sewage Disposal (Alabama statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  4. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 3.03 Structures (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  5. Residential Permit Requirements (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  6. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 3.03 Structures (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  7. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 3.03 Structures (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  8. Exemptions (Alabama statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Pelham Planning & Zoning (pelhamalabama.gov)
  10. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 7.03 Accessory dwellings (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  11. City of Pelham Building Department (pelhamalabama.gov)
  12. Adopted Codes (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  13. Shelby County Health Department (shelbyal.com)
  14. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 7.11 Cottage developments (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  15. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 4-61 Flood hazard reduction (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  16. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 3.03 Structures (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  17. Building Department (Pelham), quoted and re-checked
  18. 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 Pelham

Pelham’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Residential construction inside Pelham city limits.

    • Applicants submit plans through the City of Pelham Citizen Access Portal.
    “The Building Department issues building permits and is responsible for inspecting all commercial and residential construction within the city limits.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building and occupancy construction inside Pelham city limits.

    • The city lists the 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2020 National Electrical Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 International Pool and Spa Code, and 2021 International Fire Code.
    “Ordinance 067-12 is now in effect and adopts parts of the 2021 International Building Code, among others.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Commercial and residential construction inside Pelham city limits.

    • Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    • The inspector will call if there are concerns or deficiencies.
    “The Building Department issues building permits and is responsible for inspecting all commercial and residential construction within the city limits.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Pelham city limits; Pelham administers zoning and zoning requests.

    • All zoning requests are first presented to the Planning Commission.
    • The city website links to the city zoning map and zoning ordinance.
    “All zoning requests are first presented to the Planning Commission. It consists of nine members who are charged with making recommendations to the City Council on zoning map changes, zoning ordinance amendments, and the creation of subdivisions.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Structures inside Pelham city limits; the applicable zoning district controls the height limit.

    • A structure may not exceed the height limit of its applicable district.
    • Certain public, semipublic, or public-service buildings may reach 60 feet where specified, subject to additional setbacks.
    • Residential accessory structures such as towers may be limited to 25 feet above the district maximum where permitted.
    “No structure may be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered to exceed the height limit of the applicable district.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    RV occupancy inside Pelham city limits.

    • RVs may not be permanent residences.
    • Temporary occupancy may occur only in recreational vehicle parks under Sec. 7.29.
    • No RV may be occupied by a person or family for more than two consecutive weeks.

    maximum occupancy duration: 2 consecutive weeks

    “No recreational vehicle may be occupied by a person or family for more than two consecutive weeks.”
  • Tiny homesProhibited

    Tiny homes on wheels and similar portable structures used as permanent residences inside Pelham city limits.

    • Temporary occupancy may be permitted in recreational vehicle parks under Sec. 7.29.
    “Recreational vehicles, tiny homes on wheels and similar portable structures may not be used for permanent residential occupancy but may be permitted for temporary occupancy in recreational vehicle parks in accordance with section 7.29 , Recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes used for residential occupancy inside Pelham city limits.

    • Manufactured homes must conform to the HUD Code.
    • Except as provided in the A-1 agricultural district and Planned Unit Development district, manufactured homes must be in authorized manufactured-home parks or sales establishments.
    • Manufactured-home parks require site-plan approval and a certificate of occupancy before installation or utility service.

    minimum manufactured-home park acreage: >= 8 acres · minimum home-space area: >= 4500 square feet · minimum home-space width: >= 45 feet

    “Except as provided in section 6.01 , A-1 agricultural district, and section 6.02 , Planned unit development district, all manufactured homes must be parked in authorized manufactured home parks or manufactured home sales establishments.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwellings on lots inside Pelham city limits.

    • An accessory-dwelling permit is required.
    • Accessory dwellings are limited to permitted single-family detached dwellings.
    • Owner-occupancy applies in E-1, R-1A, and R-1B districts.
    • Minimum lot size is 18,000 square feet.
    • Habitable floor area must be at least 200 square feet and no more than 50 percent of the principal dwelling's gross floor area or 1,200 square feet, whichever is more restrictive.
    • One additional parking space is required.
    • Accessory dwellings must comply with the Building Code and be on a permanent foundation.

    minimum lot size: >= 18000 square feet (If principal dwelling is not connected to sanitary sewer, health-department or similar-authority minimum lot requirements apply to each dwelling.) · minimum habitable floor area: >= 200 square feet · maximum habitable floor area: 50% of principal dwelling gross floor area or 1,200 square feet (whichever is more restrictive)

    “An accessory dwelling permit is required for all accessory dwellings.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Cottage developments inside Pelham city limits.

    • The cited rule is specific to cottage developments; no general citywide distance-to-main rule was located.
    • Public water and sewer service must serve the site.
    “Cottage developments are permitted only on sites served by public water and sewer services.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision creation inside Pelham city limits.

    • The Pelham Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council on creation of subdivisions.
    • The city website publishes Subdivision Regulations as a development-regulation resource.
    “All zoning requests are first presented to the Planning Commission. It consists of nine members who are charged with making recommendations to the City Council on zoning map changes, zoning ordinance amendments, and the creation of subdivisions.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New buildings inside Pelham city limits.

    • A lot must front on a public street, have access by an access easement approved by the fire official, or have an approved private street.
    “Every building hereafter erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered must be located on a lot with frontage on a public street or having access to a public street by way of an access easement approved by the fire official or a private street approved by the planning commission.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in approximate A-zones and other special flood-hazard areas inside Pelham city limits.

    • For new subdivision proposals and other proposed development greater than 50 lots or five acres, whichever is lesser, BFE data must be provided.
    • All development in zone A must meet Sec. 4-58 and specified Sec. 4-59 provisions.
    • Without BFE data, new construction and substantial improvements must elevate the lowest floor at least three feet above highest adjacent grade, or four feet where the referenced one-foot-above-BFE rule applies.
    • No encroachment, structure, or fill may be within the greater of the stream width or 25 feet from the top of the stream bank unless a registered professional engineer certifies no increase in flood levels.

    BFE-data threshold: more than 50 lots or five acres, whichever is lesser (new subdivisions and other proposed development)

    “No encroachments, including structures or fill material, shall be located within an area equal to the width of the stream or 25 feet, whichever is greater, measured from the top of the stream bank, unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that such encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential permit applications inside Pelham city limits.

    • Create an account in the Citizen Access Portal.
    • Submit permit applications, plans, and related documents through the portal.
    • The city also provides a Residential Permit Procedures Handbook and portal setup guide.
    “Once you've enrolled, you can apply for permits, search public records, and pay invoices all in one place.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction inside Pelham city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Pelham residential districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Pelham residential and agricultural districts.
  • Setbacks — Principal residential and agricultural structures in Pelham city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lots in Pelham residential and agricultural districts.
7 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals

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

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Pelham 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