BuildingPermitCost Alabama permit fees at a glance
This page covers 5 cities and 2 counties in Alabama, each priced from its own official fee schedule. For the same $75,000 addition, totals run from $262.50 in Tuscaloosa to $751.00 in Bessemer, with a Alabama median of $607.00, 26% below the median of $820.58 across all 267 places on this site.
The most common pricing method here is a rate per $1,000 of project value (3 of 7), followed by a fee table based on project value (2) and a rate per square foot (1). For project value, 3 places use a local valuation table, 2 places use your contract or bid price and 1 place uses the ICC Building Valuation Data table.
1 of 7 charge a separate plan review fee. 3 add a state surcharge to the total, printed for example as "Alabama State Craft Training Fee" and "State of Alabama CICTP fee (Alabama Building Commission)".
1 of 7 schedules state an effective date. Every page shows its effective date and the date we last checked it against the official source.
| Project | Alabama median | National median | Places |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 remodel | $232.00 | $380.00 | 7 |
| $75,000 addition | $607.00 | $820.58 | 7 |
| $350,000 new home | $1,782.00 | $2,918.63 | 7 |
Calculate your own project · Compare Alabama places side by side · Fees people often miss
Cities
| Jurisdiction | $25k remodel | $75k addition | $350k new home | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $237.50 | $662.50 | $2,475.00 | Nov 5, 2026 |
| Bessemer | $251.00 | $751.00 | $3,501.00 | Nov 4, 2026 |
| Birmingham | $237.50 | $712.50 | $3,325.00 | Nov 4, 2026 |
| Huntsville | $137.50 | $412.50 | $198.00 | Nov 4, 2026 |
| Tuscaloosa | $87.50 | $262.50 | $1,225.00 | Nov 5, 2026 |
Counties
| Jurisdiction | $25k remodel | $75k addition | $350k new home | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin County | $175.00 | $325.00 | $1,337.50 | Nov 5, 2026 |
| Lee County | $232.00 | $607.00 | $1,782.00 | Nov 5, 2026 |
Alabama permit fee questions
How much is a building permit in Alabama?
It depends on the city or county, because each sets its own fees. Across the 7 places we cover in Alabama, the median for a $75,000 addition is $607.00 and for a $350,000 new home $1,782.00, including plan review and required surcharges.
Which Alabama places have the lowest and highest permit fees?
For a $75,000 addition, the lowest total we found is $262.50 in Tuscaloosa, AL and the highest is $751.00 in Bessemer, AL. The tables on this page list every place we cover.
Are Alabama state fees included?
Yes, where the local schedule adds them to the permit. 3 of the 7 Alabama schedules we cover include a state surcharge, and each city page shows it as its own line.
Totals use each jurisdiction's own formula for a 300 sq ft remodel, a 400 sq ft addition and a 2,400 sq ft wood-frame home. Trade permits and conditional fees are not included. Fees are estimates based on the official schedules; confirm with the permit office before applying.