Bolthole Index

Jefferson County, Alabama

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Center Point, Alabama

Center Point, Alabama requires a building permit from the city before construction, alteration, repair or demolition inside city limits1. The city runs its own zoning through its Planning & Zoning Board2. Septic permits for new onsite systems come from the Jefferson County Department of Health, not the city3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside Center Point city limits, issued by the city1
Zoning
Yes, the city administers its own zoning ordinance and zoning board2
Septic
Jefferson County Department of Health permit, issued before the building permit3
Mobile homes
Prohibited in all zoning districts, except personal or family use in A-1 Agricultural districts4
Guesthouse or garage apartment
Only on appeal to the Board of Zoning Adjustment, family use only5
Building code
IBC 2015 and the 2017 NEC6
Owner-builder
State licensing exemption exists; city-level exemption not confirmed7

Who to call

Building permits

Center Point Inspection Services

Building permits, trade permits and inspections inside Center Point city limits; zoning applications and Board of Zoning Adjustment cases

205-854-4617

2209 Center Point Parkway, Center Point, AL 35215

Septic permits

Jefferson County Department of Health - Community Environmental Protection Division

Onsite sewage disposal (septic) permits for Jefferson County, including addresses inside Center Point

205-930-1230

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 15, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Center Point, Alabama?

Yes. Inside Center Point city limits, an owner or the owner's agent must apply to the building official and obtain a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing a building, or changing its occupancy1. Separate permits cover electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing work1.

Small exceptions exist. A one-story detached tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar structure is exempt when its floor area is 120 square feet or less1. A driveway is exempt only when it sits no more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, is not over a basement or story below, and is not part of an accessible route8.

The city's fees are published: a building permit costs 1.5% of the actual work plus a $20 issuance fee, with a $50 minimum, and fees double if work starts before the permit is issued9. Center Point enforces a no-permit, no-inspection policy10.

Who issues building permits in Center Point, and how do you reach them?

Center Point Inspection Services at City Hall issues building permits and schedules inspections inside the city11. The office is at 2209 Center Point Parkway, Center Point, AL 35215, and the phone number is 205-854-461711. The city states that every contractor is responsible for obtaining a permit before beginning work and for making sure the project is inspected for code compliance11.

Inspections are scheduled 24 hours in advance on a first-come, first-served basis10. The city has adopted the IBC 2015 building code and the 2017 NEC for electrical work6.

Jefferson County Development Services handles permits for unincorporated land, not for addresses inside Center Point. For land outside the city, see the Jefferson County page.

Does Center Point have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and home size?

Yes. Center Point administers its own zoning ordinance through a Planning & Zoning Board2, and district rules are published in Appendix B of the city's code12. The rules differ by district, so confirm your parcel's district with Inspection Services before you buy11.

In the R-1 Single-Family District, the minimum lot is 15,000 square feet, or 12,500 square feet where all plumbing drains connect to a live sanitary sewer line13. In R-2, the minimum is 15,000 square feet, or 10,000 square feet with live sewer14. In the A-1 Agricultural District, new subdivision lots need five acres, and nonsubdivision lots need 15,000 square feet15.

Minimum floor area for a one-story home is 1,000 square feet in R-116 and 900 square feet in R-217. We could not confirm city limits on building height or lot coverage; ask Inspection Services.

How do septic permits work inside Center Point?

Septic permits for new onsite sewage disposal systems inside Center Point come from the Jefferson County Department of Health, not the city3. The homeowner submits an onsite sewage disposal permit application and plot plan, and the Department of Health reviews the data and performs a soils examination before deciding whether the site is feasible3.

The order matters: the building permit follows issuance of the onsite sewage disposal construction permit3. Call the Community Environmental Protection Division at 205-930-1230 with questions about septic fees, maintenance and repairs18.

Center Point's smaller minimum lot sizes apply only where plumbing connects to a live sanitary sewer line13, so a lot without sewer service generally needs the larger minimum. We could not confirm whether a new home must connect to public sewer or water when it is available, or whether private wells need a permit; ask Inspection Services and the Jefferson County Department of Health.

Can you live in an RV, mobile home or tiny home in Center Point?

RVs: Center Point prohibits parking or keeping motor homes, oversized recreational vehicles, travel trailers and similar vehicles on city streets, alleys and rights-of-way19. That rule covers public streets and does not by itself answer whether you can live in an RV on private property in the city19. We could not confirm a rule for that, so ask Inspection Services before you plan on it.

Mobile homes are prohibited in all zoning districts in Center Point, with one exception: mobile homes for personal or family use, not rental, are allowed in A-1 Agricultural districts when every requirement of the ordinance is met4.

Garage apartments and guesthouses are allowed only on appeal to, and with approval of, the Board of Zoning Adjustment5. Tiny-home occupancy is not separately defined in the city code sections we reviewed, so confirm with Inspection Services how a tiny home would be classified.

Building a home in Center Point: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm your parcel's zoning district and minimum lot and floor area with Center Point Inspection Services at 205-854-461711.
  2. If the lot has no sanitary sewer, hire a local engineer, land surveyor or soil scientist for the soils work and apply to the Jefferson County Department of Health for a septic construction permit3.
  3. Apply to the city's building official for the building permit after the septic permit is issued3.
  4. If the parcel is in a mapped flood zone, expect elevation requirements: in approximate A zones without base flood data, the lowest floor must be at least 3 feet above the highest adjacent grade20.
  5. Schedule inspections 24 hours ahead10.

If you plan to act as your own builder, the state's owner-builder exemption applies to a one-family or two-family home you will occupy and not offer for sale7. We could not confirm any separate city-level owner-builder exemption.

What stays with Jefferson County, and what to check before you buy?

Septic permits stay with the Jefferson County Department of Health for every address in Center Point3. Driveway connections are the other piece to check: new access connections to roads maintained by Jefferson County, including roads within municipalities, need an application to the Jefferson County Department of Roads and Transportation21. Ask Inspection Services whether a given street is county-maintained.

Costs are county-level figures. Jefferson County's effective property tax rate is 0.6%22, and the median property tax bill is $1,340 per year23. The typical home insurance premium is $1,925 per year24.

The city also has its own flood-damage prevention rules for designated special flood-hazard areas, including a limit of fewer than 180 consecutive days for an RV on a site unless it meets new-construction standards20. Rules for land outside Center Point are on the Jefferson County page.

Watch-outs

  • A building permit comes only after the Jefferson County Department of Health issues the septic construction permit, so start the soils evaluation first3.
  • Starting work without a permit doubles the city's permit fees9.
  • Mobile homes are prohibited in every Center Point zoning district except personal or family use in A-1 Agricultural districts4.
  • We could not confirm certificate-of-occupancy requirements, building height limits, lot coverage limits or short-term rental rules inside Center Point; ask Inspection Services at 205-854-461711.

Sources

  1. Inspection Services — adopted building-code provisions (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  2. cityofcenterpoint.org (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite Sewage Disposal (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sec. 1114. Regulations governing mobile homes in A-1 zoning (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  5. library.municode.com (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  6. Inspection Services (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  7. Exemptions (Alabama statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Inspection Services — adopted building-code provisions (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  9. Inspection Services — fees (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  10. Inspection Services (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  11. Center Point Inspection Services (cityofcenterpoint.org)
  12. Sec. 601. R-1 Single-Family District (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  13. Sec. 601. R-1 Single-Family District (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  14. Sec. 602. R-2 Single-Family District (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  15. Sec. 701. A-1 Agricultural District (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  16. Sec. 601. R-1 Single-Family District (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  17. Sec. 602. R-2 Single-Family District (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  18. Jefferson County Department of Health - Community Environmental Protection Division (jcdh.org)
  19. Sec. 46-104. Parking on city streets for certain vehicles (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  20. Sec. 30-62. Specific standards (Center Point), quoted and re-checked
  21. Jefferson County Subdivision & Construction Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Typical home insurance premium: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 15, 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 Center Point

Center Point’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, occupancy changes, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work inside Center Point city limits.

    • Application must be made to the building official before the work.
    • One-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses are exempt when the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet.
    • Other listed exemptions include certain fences, retaining walls, tanks, driveways, finish work, temporary sets, and above-ground pools.

    accessory shed exemption: <= 120 square feet (one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses)

    “Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building work inside Center Point city limits.

    • The city inspection page identifies the IBC 2015 building code book and states that the 2017 NEC applies to electrical work.

    building code: IBC 2015 · electrical code: 2017 NEC

    “IBC 2015 building code book Section 105”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction and remodeling work inside Center Point city limits.

    • The city states that contractors must ensure the project is inspected for code compliance.
    • Inspections are scheduled 24 hours in advance on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • A no-permit/no-inspection policy applies.

    inspection scheduling notice: 24 hours (first come first serve)

    “It is the responsibility of every contractor to obtain a permit before beginning work in the City and to ensure that your project will be inspected for code compliance.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Center Point city limits; Center Point administers its own zoning ordinance and zoning board.

    • The city page identifies a Planning & Zoning Board and the adopted Municode ordinance contains district-specific zoning regulations.
    “The Planning & Zoning Board is responsible for guiding and regulating long and short-term local developments for the benefit of present and future generations.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Center Point city limits, including R-1, R-2, R-3, and A-1 districts.

    • District-specific use and dimensional rules are published in Appendix B of the city's adopted code.
    “Within an R-1 Single Family District, a building or land shall be used only for the following purposes: a. Single-family dwelling.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    One-family dwellings in the R-1 Single-Family District.

    • The area and dimensional regulations apply to permitted uses except accessory buildings.

    minimum floor area one story: 1000 square feet · minimum floor area two story: 1,100 square feet; 800 first floor

    “Minimum floor area: One thousand square feet (one story) One thousand-one hundred square feet (two story; 800 first floor)”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — One-family dwellings in the R-2 Single-Family District.
      “Minimum floor area: Nine hundred square feet (one story) One thousand square feet (two story; 800 first floor)”
    • Specified — Two-family dwelling units in the R-3 Two-Family District.
      “Minimum floor area: One thousand square feet (one story) One thousand square feet (two story; 500 first floor)”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    A-1 Agricultural District.

    • For new subdivision lots, the minimum is five acres.
    • For nonsubdivision lots, the minimum is 15,000 square feet.

    new subdivision lot minimum: 5 acres (217,800 square feet) · nonsubdivision lot minimum: 15000 square feet

    “Minimum lot area: 1. For new subdivision lots: five acres (217,800 square feet). 2. For nonsubdivision lots: 15,000 square feet.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 Single-Family District.
      “Minimum lot area: 15,000 square feet, or 12,500 square feet for lots on which all plumbing drains are connected to and served by live sanitary sewer lines.”
    • Specified — R-2 Single-Family District.
      “Minimum lot area: 15,000 square feet, or 10,000 square feet on lots on which all plumbing drains are connected to and served by live sanitary sewer lines.”
    • Specified — R-3 Two-Family District.
      “Minimum lot area: 10,000 square feet on lots which all plumbing drains are connected to and served by live sanitary sewer lines.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Parking or keeping motor homes, oversized recreational vehicles, travel trailers, and similar vehicles on streets, alleys, or rights-of-way inside Center Point city limits.

    • The prohibition concerns public streets, alleys, and rights-of-way; it does not by itself resolve private-property residential occupancy.
    • A separate conditional exception applies to legally operable everyday-travel motor vehicles when adequate private parking is unavailable, subject to no-parking zones, traffic hazards, obstruction, and steep-grade conditions.
    “No person owning, leasing, occupying, possessing and/or having charge of any premises or business within the city shall park, keep or maintain any motor home, oversized recreational vehicle, travel trailer, boat, job or storage trailer, flatbed trailer, car hauling trailer, lowboy trailer, enclosed van-type trailer, or any similar type of vehicle upon the streets, alley or rights-of-way within the city.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile/manufactured-home occupancy inside Center Point city limits.

    • Mobile homes are prohibited in all zoning districts.
    • An exception allows personal or family use only, not rental use, in A-1 Agricultural Districts if all Sec. 1114 requirements are met.
    • A separate security-purpose provision may allow mobile homes under conditions stated in Sec. 1116.

    permit validity: <= 1 year (Sec. 1114 permit)

    “Mobile homes are prohibited in all zoning districts within the jurisdiction of the City. However, mobile homes limited to personal or family use only (i.e., not for rental purposes) shall be allowed in A-1 (Agriculture) zoning districts upon compliance with all of the requirements of this Section.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Garage apartments and guesthouses inside Center Point city limits.

    • Approval on appeal by the Board of Zoning Adjustment is required.
    • The unit may not be used as rental property.
    • Occupancy is limited to family members as defined in the ordinance.
    “Garage apartments and guesthouses will be permitted only on appeal to, and upon approval of, the Board of Zoning Adjustment.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveways inside Center Point city limits for purposes of the municipal building-permit exemption.

    • A driveway is exempt from a building permit only when it is not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, is not over a basement or story below, and is not part of an accessible route.

    maximum elevation above adjacent grade: <= 30 inches (not over a basement or story below and not part of an accessible route)

    “Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction, substantial improvements, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles in designated special flood-hazard areas inside Center Point city limits.

    • In A1-30, AE, AH, and A areas with engineered or estimated base flood elevations, residential and nonresidential structures and manufactured homes must meet elevation and flood-resistant-enclosure standards.
    • Recreational vehicles must either remain on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be fully licensed and highway-ready when licensed, remain on wheels or jacking system, use quick-disconnect utilities and security devices, and have no permanently attached structures or additions, or meet new-construction anchoring and elevation requirements.
    • In approximate A zones without base flood data, new construction and substantial improvements must elevate the lowest floor at least three feet above highest adjacent grade.

    residential lowest-floor elevation: >= 1 foot above base flood elevation (where base flood elevation data is available) · RV temporary-site duration: < 180 consecutive days (otherwise the RV must meet new-construction anchoring and elevation requirements) · approximate-A-zone lowest-floor elevation: >= 3 feet above highest adjacent grade (where no base flood elevation data exists)

    “In all areas of special flood hazard designated as A1-30, AE, AH, A (with engineered or estimated base flood elevation), the following provisions are required:”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Center Point municipal building, demolition, trade, preliminary-inspection, and re-inspection permits.

    • Permit fees are doubled if work begins before permitting.
    • Building permits are based on actual work with a minimum fee of $50.
    • Re-inspection fees increase by $25 for each subsequent re-inspection after the first.

    building permit: 1.5% of actual work + $20 issuance fee USD/formula · demolition permit: 120 USD (flat fee) · electrical/plumbing/gas/HVAC: 2% of actual work + $20 issuance fee USD/formula · preliminary inspection: 50 USD · first re-inspection: 25 USD (rejected or no-show; subsequent re-inspections increase by $25)

    “Building Permit: 1.5 % of actual work + $20 issuance fee Demolition: $120 (Flat Fee) Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, and HVAC: 2% of actual work + $20 issuance fee Preliminary Inspection fee: $50 Re-inspection Fee: $25 (rejected or no show) for the first one, then goes up by $25 for each subsequent re-inspection”

Rules another office applies inside Center Point

Center Point does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Septic permitRequired

    New onsite sewage disposal systems inside Center Point city limits.

    • A homeowner submits an onsite sewage disposal permit application and plot plan.
    • The Department of Health reviews submitted data and performs a soils examination before determining feasibility.
    • The building permit follows issuance of the onsite sewage disposal construction permit.
    “After the Jefferson County Department of Health issues a permit to construct an onsite sewage disposal system, a building permit is issued.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Center Point or Jefferson County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from Center Point building-permit or contractor requirements.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for buildings inside Center Point city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Center Point city limits.
  • Building height — Building height inside Center Point city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Center Point city limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Center Point publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Jefferson County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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