BUILDING INSPECTIONS
Our primary mission is to safeguard the public, promote the health, safety and welfare of the City of Bessemer through enforcement of the International Building Code. We believe in equitable treatment for all individuals regardless of circumstances and strive to enforce all building codes in a fair and considerate manner.
We feel that through education and cooperation, we will build positive working relationships within the building community, consumers and citizens alike.
We are located on the first floor of Bessemer City Hall.
Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Mondays thru Fridays (except on City Holidays).
CONTACT
Tom Harmon
Building Official
1700 Third Avenue North
Bessemer, Alabama 35020
tel: 205 424-4060 phone
tel: 205 481-4539 fax
Building Permit Requirements
Before a Building permit can be issued for construction, plans must be submitted and reviewed. Minimum requirements can be found at the links below:
- Three (3) hard copies and one (1) digital copy of the plans should be delivered to the building department and plans should be reviewed within ten (10) business days.
- The minimum fee for all permits is $26.00. All contractors must obtain a current City of Bessemer business license before a permit is issued. The City of Bessemer currently enforces the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) suite of codes as well as the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC).
Building Permit costs are calculated by 1% of the job cost plus $1.00 issuance fee. Any Commercial job costs over $50,000 will require a copy of the contractor’s state license.
Building Day Labor Permit Homeowners may purchase a Building Day Labor Permit allowing them to operate as their own general contractor, holding themselves liable for all structural work being performed A hold harmless form is required prior to purchasing a Day Labor Permit. However, all electrical, mechanical, plumbing, & gas work must be performed by a licensed contractor and inspected by the Building & Inspections Department.
Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Permit costs are calculated according to the work being done in reference to the fee schedule listed on the application. As of January 2020, the State of Alabama Electrical Contractors Board ruled that cities no longer require a Municipal Master Electrical Card to be purchased through the City in order to obtain a permit for electrical work as their State issued Master Electrician’s License is sufficient. Electrical contractors must be bonded and obtain a license with the City of Bessemer. Costs are calculated according to the work being done in reference to the fee schedule listed on the application. Any plumbing work that includes adding additional fixtures to a structure on sewer will require the pink copy of the sewer impact permit issued by Jefferson County before the plumbing permit can be issued. according to the work being done in reference to the fee schedule listed on the application.
AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF ALABAMA, A FEE OF $1.00 PER $1,000.00 IS ADDITIONALLY ASSESSED OF ALL COMMERCIAL PERMIT FEES IN REGARDS TO THE ALABAMA BUILDING COMMISSION TO FUND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CRAFT TRAINING PROGRAM (CICTP)*.
Zoning Maps and Applications
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Information