Bolthole Index

Marshall County, Alabama

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Arab, Alabama

Inside Arab, Alabama, the city requires building permits for work that erects, enlarges, alters, demolishes or repairs a structure, and city zoning applies throughout the corporate limits.12 Properties off public sewer work with the Marshall County Health Department on septic permits, while properties close enough to available public sewer must connect under the city's rule.34 Arab is in Marshall County, but city rules—not the county's unincorporated-area rules—control zoning and building review inside city limits.2

At a glance

Building permit
Required for erecting, enlarging, altering, demolishing or repairing a structure inside Arab1
Zoning
City zoning applies throughout Arab's corporate limits2
Septic permit
Marshall County Health Department handles onsite sewage applications and permits3
Public sewer
Connection is required when an Arab property is within 200 feet of available public sewer4
RV living
Permanent occupancy was not confirmed; special flood-hazard areas impose separate placement rules56
Tiny homes
No separate tiny-home occupancy rule was confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning about the parcel and proposed dwelling2

Who to call

Building permits

City of Arab Building Department

Building-permit applications, construction inspections and certificates of occupancy inside Arab

256.586.5968

buildingdept@arabcity.org

740 North Main Street, Arab, Alabama 35016

Zoning

City of Arab Planning & Zoning Department

Zoning administration, rezoning intake and subdivision applications

256.586.5968

kjohnson@arabcity.org

740 North Main Street, Arab, Alabama 35016

Septic permits

Marshall County Health Department - Environmental Office

Septic tank requests and onsite sewage questions for Marshall County addresses, including Arab

256-582-4926

150 Judy Smith Drive, Guntersville, Alabama 35976

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Arab 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.

Do you need a building permit in Arab, Alabama?

Yes. The City of Arab says building permits are required to erect, enlarge, alter, demolish or repair a structure inside the city.1 The city's examples include garages, commercial construction, signs and additions.1 Start with the City of Arab Building Department, because the office asks owners and contractors to consult it when the scope is uncertain.1

The application checklist calls for zoning verification, a site plan, a drainage plan, building plans when required, contractor credentials and information on proposed subtrades.1 A final inspection is required before the city issues a certificate of occupancy.1 We could not confirm the controlling technical building-code edition from the available city rule record, so ask the Building Department which code and amendments it will apply to your project.

Who issues building permits in Arab, AL?

The City of Arab Building Department issues building permits and coordinates construction inspections for property inside Arab.1 The office is at Arab City Hall, 740 North Main Street, and can be reached at 256.586.5968 or buildingdept@arabcity.org.1 The city directs building applications to the Building Department and lists zoning verification among its building-permit requirements.1

Planning questions go to the City of Arab Planning & Zoning Department at the same address and phone number.7 That office administers and enforces zoning codes and processes subdivision applications for Planning Commission review.7 Septic approval does not move to the city building office: the Marshall County Health Department provides onsite sewage applications and permits for county residents, including addresses inside Arab that are not served by public sewer.3

Does Arab have zoning, and what does it mean for land use?

Arab has municipal zoning, and the zoning ordinance and map govern all land within the city limits.2 The published district list includes Agriculture, low-, medium- and high-density residential, and Manufactured Home Park districts, so a use allowed on one parcel may not be allowed on another.8 Confirm the parcel's district and any proposed use with the City of Arab Planning & Zoning Department before relying on a listing description.7

Splitting, recombining or resubdividing land inside Arab is also regulated through the city's subdivision process.9 The Planning & Zoning Department processes subdivision applications, and the Planning Commission handles subdivision review.7 We could not confirm a citywide minimum dwelling size or a separate tiny-home category; the practical answer depends on the zoning district, the proposed structure and the Building Department's review.2

How do septic permits work inside Arab?

For an Arab property that is not connected to public sanitary sewer, a permit is required before installing a new onsite sewage system or repairing an existing one.10 The Marshall County Health Department is the local office for onsite sewage applications and permits.3 Call its Environmental Office at 256-582-4926 before designing or installing the system.11

Arab's sewer rule changes the path for properties within 200 feet of available public sanitary sewer: the owner must connect within one year after the public sewer system is completed.4 For land that can use septic, Marshall County soils deserve early attention because only 21.1% of county land is rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field.12 Treat that countywide soil figure as a screening signal, not a parcel result; get the required soils information before fixing the house site.10

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Arab?

We could not confirm a general Arab rule allowing permanent RV occupancy on a private lot. Alabama treats a park model as temporary living quarters rather than a permanent dwelling, and that statewide rule does not itself authorize permanent occupancy of an ordinary RV in Arab.6 Ask the City of Arab Planning & Zoning Department about the parcel's district and the Building Department about occupancy approval before placing or connecting a unit.71

Flood-hazard land has an additional rule: an RV may remain fewer than 180 consecutive days only when it is licensed, ready for highway use and attached by quick-disconnect utilities; otherwise it must meet the floodplain standards for new construction.5 We also could not confirm a separate tiny-home occupancy category. A small dwelling still needs parcel-specific zoning review, building-permit review and an approved sewer or septic path.2110

Building a home in Arab: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm that the parcel is inside Arab and ask Planning & Zoning for its district and allowed residential use.27
  2. Determine whether public sewer is available; property within 200 feet of available sewer falls under Arab's connection rule.4
  3. If public sewer is unavailable, contact the Marshall County Health Department for the onsite sewage application and soils requirements before choosing the house location.10
  4. Submit the City of Arab building-permit package, including zoning verification, site and drainage plans, building plans when required, and contractor information.1
  5. Schedule the required construction inspections with the Building Department.1
  6. Complete the final inspection before seeking the city's certificate of occupancy.1
  7. If the parcel is in a special flood-hazard area, incorporate Arab's elevation and anchoring standards into the design before construction.5

What should you check before buying land in Arab?

Verify the city-limit status and zoning district first, because Arab's zoning ordinance governs land inside the corporate limits and district boundaries control allowed uses.28 Ask Planning & Zoning whether a split, lot combination, conditional use or rezoning would be needed.97

Next, resolve wastewater service. A nearby available public sewer can trigger Arab's connection rule, while an off-sewer site needs the Marshall County Health Department's septic process.410 Check flood status as well: Arab imposes added elevation or placement standards on new construction, manufactured homes and RVs in designated special-flood-hazard areas.5 Finally, price site constraints before closing; Marshall County's 21.1% share of soils without severe conventional drain-field limits means a parcel-level soil evaluation can materially affect the usable building area.12

Watch-outs

  • A property within 200 feet of available public sanitary sewer must connect under Arab's sewer rule, so verify service availability before budgeting for septic.4
  • Permanent RV occupancy was not confirmed; ask Arab Planning & Zoning before buying land for that use.7
  • In a designated special-flood-hazard area, Arab applies added elevation or placement rules to structures, manufactured homes and RVs.5
  • Current zoning, subdivision, site-plan and building-permit fee totals were not confirmed; request a project-specific calculation from the city offices.17

Sources

  1. City of Arab Building Department (arabcity.org)
  2. City of Arab Zoning Ordinance, updated 2024 (Arab), quoted and re-checked
  3. Marshall County Health Department Services, quoted and re-checked
  4. Arab Code of Ordinances, Article III: Use of Sewers (Arab), quoted and re-checked
  5. Arab Code of Ordinances, Sec. 4-37: Specific standards (Arab), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 535-X-11 Regulations for Manufactured Buildings (Alabama statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. City of Arab Planning & Zoning Department (arabcity.org)
  8. City of Arab Zoning Ordinance, updated 2024 (Arab), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Arab Zoning Ordinance, updated 2024 (Arab), quoted and re-checked
  10. Onsite Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  11. Marshall County Health Department - Environmental Office (alabamapublichealth.gov)
  12. 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

Written October 9, 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 Arab

Arab’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Structures erected, enlarged, altered, demolished, or repaired inside Arab city limits.

    • A permit is also required for construction valued above $500, and regardless of value when plumbing, electrical, gas, roofing, HVAC, or structural work requiring inspection is involved.

    construction-value threshold: > 500 USD (Permit requirement regardless of value if specified inspected work is involved.)

    “Building permits are required to erect, enlarge, alter, demolish, or repair a structure in the City of Arab.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building work inside Arab city limits.

    • The city identifies its applicable editions as 2014 NEC and 2012 ICC.

    National Electrical Code edition: 2014 · International Code Council edition: 2012

    “The City of Arab uses: 2014 NEC / National Electrical Codes 2012 ICC / International Code Council”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Single-family residential construction under an Arab building permit.

    • Unless deficiencies are found, the packet requires at least footing, rough-in, and final inspections; a return inspection is required to inspect corrections.
    • A 24-hour notice is required to schedule city inspections.

    minimum inspections: >= 3 inspections (Unless deficiencies are found.)

    “For single-family residential construction, unless deficiencies are found, at least three inspections are required:”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings or portions of buildings inside Arab city limits that are to be occupied.

    • The certificate cannot issue without a satisfactory final inspection.
    “A Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued without a satisfactory final inspection.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Arab city limits.

    • The city Planning & Zoning Department administers and enforces zoning codes.
    “Administration and enforcement of zoning codes”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — All land within Arab city corporate limits.
      “This Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map shall govern and regulate all land within the corporate limits of the City of Arab, Alabama.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Land and water areas inside Arab city limits.

    • The official zoning map is adopted by reference and the official copy is maintained in the Planning Office for public inspection.
    • District boundaries are controlled by the official map and City Clerk records.
    “Agriculture District (AG)................................................................................................................... III-3 Low Density Residential District (R-1).............................................................................................. III-3 Medium Density Residential District (R-2) ....................................................................................... III-3 High Density Residential District (R-3) ............................................................................................. III-3 Manufactured Home Park District (MHP)........................................................................................ III-3”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Detached enclosed accessory structures in residential districts inside Arab city limits; AG is exempt.

    • The measure applies to listed detached enclosed accessory structures, excludes swimming pools, and exempts the AG District.

    maximum building area: <= 25 percent of parcel area (Residential lots of one acre or more; applies to listed detached enclosed accessory structures.) · maximum building area: <= 35 percent of parcel area (Lots under one acre; applies to listed detached enclosed accessory structures.)

    “is a maximum building area of 25% of the parcel area. Lots under one (1) acre have a maximum building area of 35%. The Agricultural (AG) district shall be exempt from these limitations.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Users of travel-trailer parks, RV parks, camps or campgrounds with overnight camping, and other listed recreational rental dwelling uses inside Arab city limits.

    • The rule applies to the listed recreational rental facilities.

    maximum length of stay: <= 60 consecutive days

    “The maximum length of stay for any user shall be 60 consecutive days.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Property inside Arab city limits that is within 200 feet of a public sanitary sewer.

    • The property must connect within one year after completion of the public sewer system.
    • If the owner fails to connect after written notice, the city may make the connection at the owner's expense, with the cost becoming a lien.
    • The rule concerns sewer fixtures and water-wasting fixtures; it does not establish a universal public-water connection requirement.

    distance to public sanitary sewer: <= 200 feet (The sewer-connection rule applies to property available to sewers; public water and/or sewer service exempts the county-health approval requirement for onsite disposal.)

    “The owner or person in control of any property available to sewers shall, within one year after completion of the public sewer system, connect with the public sewer system all water closets, urinals, sinks, lavatories, laundry tubs, bath tubs, and other fixtures from which water is wasted on such premises.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision, resubdivision, or combining of lots inside Arab city limits.

    • The Arab Subdivision Regulations are incorporated by reference into the zoning ordinance.
    • The zoning ordinance also addresses unincorporated areas within three miles of city limits, but this claim is limited to land inside the city.
    • Preliminary applications require complete drawings and specified submission timing.

    preliminary application lead time: >= 15 days (Twenty-five calendar days applies when construction plans are submitted with the preliminary plat for simultaneous review.)

    “Attached please find an application for submittal of a PRELIMINARY plat to be submitted to the City of Arab Planning Commission in accordance with the City of Arab Subdivision Regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

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

    • In A1-30, AE, AH, and A zones with estimated base-flood elevation, new construction and substantial improvements must elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above base-flood elevation when data are available.
    • Manufactured homes require anchoring and elevation requirements.
    • Recreational vehicles must either remain on site fewer than 180 consecutive days and satisfy licensing/readiness/utility conditions, or meet new-construction anchoring and elevation requirements.
    • Nonresidential construction may be flood-proofed instead of elevated in specified zones if the detailed certification and watertightness conditions are met.

    minimum elevation above base flood elevation: >= 1 foot · RV temporary placement duration: < 180 consecutive days (RV must be fully licensed and ready for highway use, on wheels or jacking system, attached only by quick-disconnect utilities and security devices, and without permanently attached structures or additions.)

    “Where base flood elevation data are available, new construction or substantial improvement of any structure or manufactured home shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Travel-trailer parks, RV parks, camps or campgrounds with overnight camping, vacation cottages, rental cabins, and other recreational rental dwelling uses inside Arab city limits.

    • The provision treats the listed uses as short-term rental facilities and limits each user's stay.

    maximum length of stay: <= 60 consecutive days

    “These uses are all short-termrental facilities oriented toward leisure activities for the vacationer or organized activities such as summer camps. The maximum length of stay for any user shall be 60 consecutive days.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City of Arab building permits.

    • The construction-value scale applies; work started before a required permit doubles the listed fee.
    • For commercial permits, a CICT fee of $1 per $1,000 of authorized construction is added.

    permit fee for construction value $500-$2,500: 25 USD · CICT fee: per 1 USD per $1,000 of authorized construction (Commercial building permits only.)

    “$25 fee for projects within the above price range”

Rules another office applies inside Arab

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

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Each living unit in a mixed commercial/residential facility in the Historic Downtown District.

    • The unit must be on the second story or above.

    minimum floor area: >= 600 square feet (Applies to each living unit in Historic Downtown mixed commercial/residential facilities.)

    “Each living unit shall have a minimum floor area of 600 square feet, and shall be located on the second story or above.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Livestock and poultry keeping in Arab's Agricultural (AG) District.

    • The 5-acre requirement is for livestock and poultry; it is not a general minimum lot size for every AG use.

    minimum lot area: >= 5 acres (Livestock and poultry in AG District.)

    “In the Agricultural District (AG) livestock and poultry must be located on lots of 5 acres or more”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Animal enclosures for livestock and poultry in Arab's Agricultural (AG) District.

    • Setback is measured from any principal structure not on the same property.

    animal-enclosure setback: >= 75 feet (From a principal structure not on the same property.)

    “any animal enclosure (i.e., fences, paddocks barns, or other forms of animal shelters) shall be setback at least seventy-five (75) feet from any principal structure not on the same property.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Recreational vehicles used as living quarters in an MHP Manufactured Home Park district inside Arab city limits.

    • This rule is specific to manufactured home parks.
    “In manufactured home parks, recreational vehicles shall not be occupied as living quarters”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes in Arab's MHP Manufactured Home Park district.

    • Placement requires a permit from the Administrative Officer and compliance with the zoning ordinance.
    • A manufactured home without the required HUD seal is not permitted in a park.
    “Prior to the placement of a manufactured home in a manufactured home park, a permit shall be obtained from the Administrative Officer, subject to compliance with all provisions of this Ordinance.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — An owner acting as the contractor for construction inside Arab city limits.
  • Building height — Principal buildings inside Arab city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Arab city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Detached secondary residences or garage apartments inside Arab city limits.
  • Septic inspection — On-site sewage treatment and disposal systems inside Arab city limits.
3 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access

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 Arab publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Marshall County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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