Bolthole Index

Morgan County, Alabama

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Hartselle, Alabama

The City of Hartselle, in Morgan County, Alabama, issues building permits and inspections through its building office1. Hartselle's planning office maintains the city Zoning Ordinance2. Septic permits for every address, inside the city or not, come from the Morgan County Health Department, not the city3.

At a glance

Building permit
Issued by the City of Hartselle building office1
Zoning
City Zoning Ordinance, kept by the Hartselle planning office24
Septic permit
Morgan County Health Department, not the city35
Owner-builder
Alabama lets owners act as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home they will use6
RV living
Occupied-vehicle parking is restricted in the city; flood-zone RVs have a 180-day limit78
Tiny home
Not confirmed; a park model is not a permanent dwelling in Alabama9
Flood zone
City Development Permit required before development in a flood hazard area10
Private well
Driller files a Notification of Intent before drilling11

Who to call

Building permits

City of Hartselle Building Office (Engineering Department)

Building permits, plan review and inspections inside Hartselle city limits

256-773-2535

611 Chestnut Street NW, Hartselle, AL 35640

Planning & zoning

City of Hartselle Planning Office (Development Department)

Zoning, rezoning, subdivision and variance questions inside Hartselle city limits

256-773-2535

611 Chestnut Street NW, Hartselle, AL 35640

Septic permits

Morgan County Health Department - Environmental Services

Onsite sewage (septic) permit applications and inspections for Morgan County, including addresses inside Hartselle

256-340-6563

3821 Hwy. 31 South, Decatur, Alabama 35603

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 Hartselle means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Hartselle, Alabama?

Yes. The City of Hartselle's building office is responsible for inspections and building-permit issuance within the city1. In the city's manufactured home subdivision district, a construction permit cannot issue until the Hartselle Planning Commission approves the final subdivision plat1213. Inside a mapped flood hazard area, Hartselle also requires a Development Permit before any development begins10. Alabama law lets an owner act as their own contractor on a one- or two-family home the owner will occupy, but the owner must provide all material supervision and must hire licensed subcontractors for any subcontracted portion costing more than $10,0006. That contractor-licensing exemption does not waive local approvals such as a flood permit6.

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

The Hartselle building office is at 611 Chestnut Street NW, Hartselle, AL 35640, and the phone number is 256-773-25351. It handles new construction permit applications, plan review, building permits and inspections inside the city limits1. Hartselle's Development Guide with Fee Schedule is posted on the planning office's page, so ask for it before budgeting2. For a parcel outside the city limits, the city does not issue the building permit, so confirm the parcel's jurisdiction with the building office before applying1.

Does Hartselle have zoning, and what does it mean for homes and RVs?

Yes. Hartselle zones land inside the city, and the planning office maintains the Hartselle Zoning Ordinance24. The ordinance we could confirm covers the Manufactured Home Subdivision district (MHS) and the Manufactured Home Residential district (MHR)14. In MHS, lots must be at least 9,000 square feet and 75 feet wide, buildings may cover no more than 50 percent of the lot, setbacks are 20 feet front, 10 feet side and 20 feet rear (25 feet at the district perimeter), and height is capped at 35 feet or three stories15161718. A manufactured home in MHS must contain one dwelling unit with at least 800 square feet of finished, conditioned living space19. We could not confirm lot, setback or size rules for Hartselle's other zoning districts, so ask the planning office which district a parcel is in and what it allows2.

How do septic permits work in Hartselle?

The city does not issue septic permits. The Morgan County Health Department handles onsite sewage and septic tank applications and permits for the county, including addresses inside Hartselle3. Where public sewer is unavailable, an application for a Permit to Install must be submitted to the county health department before construction, and building may begin only after the permit is issued5. Some lots are unsuitable for a conventional system, and an engineer must design systems on soils with a percolation rate over 60 minutes or a shallow limiting zone such as groundwater, clay or bedrock20. Call the health department to schedule an inspection before installation, and expect an Approval for Use before the building can be occupied21. Across Morgan County, only 18.7% of soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so get a site evaluation before you commit to a lot22. In Hartselle's MHR districts, each development must connect to public sanitary sewer and public water lines23. The environmental office can be reached at 256-340-656324.

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

Hartselle restricts occupied vehicles: the city code makes it unlawful to park or allow an occupied vehicle in a prohibited location, which reaches public property and private property with specified notice or enforcement authorization, once the vehicle is used for sleeping, camping or lodging for more than 2 hours in a calendar day7. Exceptions apply with the private owner's permission or specified mayoral, police or city-council permission7. In a flood hazard area, an RV must be on the site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be licensed and road-ready, and have no permanent additions, or else meet the new-construction rules8. We could not confirm a Hartselle rule on long-term RV living or tiny homes, so ask the planning office before moving one onto a lot2. Alabama treats a park model as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel or seasonal use, not a permanent dwelling9.

How do you build a home in Hartselle, step by step?

  1. Ask the Hartselle planning office whether the parcel is inside city limits and which zoning district applies2.
  1. If public sewer is not available, apply to the Morgan County Health Department for a septic Permit to Install before fixing the house location524.
  1. Check the flood map; development in a flood hazard area needs a City of Hartselle Development Permit first10.
  1. For a manufactured home subdivision, get final plat approval from the Planning Commission before a construction permit can issue13.
  1. Apply for the building permit at the Hartselle building office and schedule its inspections1.
  1. For a private well, the driller files a Notification of Intent before work starts and a Certification of Completion within 30 days after finishing11.
  1. Obtain the septic Approval for Use before occupying the building21.

What stays with Morgan County, and what should you check before you buy?

Septic permits and inspections for every Hartselle address stay with the Morgan County Health Department, and private well notifications are filed with the state, not the city311. Morgan County has adopted no county zoning ordinance, so on unincorporated land outside Hartselle no county rule sets minimum lot size, setbacks or RV use25. That makes the line at the city limits important: ask the Hartselle planning office to confirm on which side of it a parcel falls2. Check the flood map, confirm sewer availability, and get soils evaluated, since only 18.7% of Morgan County soils avoid severe drain-field limits22. County-wide, the effective property tax rate is about 0.3% and the median annual tax bill is about $6742627.

Watch-outs

  • Hartselle's published zoning findings cover the manufactured home districts MHS and MHR; dimensional rules for other districts were not confirmed, so ask the planning office about the specific parcel214.
  • A construction permit in a manufactured home subdivision cannot issue until the Planning Commission approves the final plat13.
  • Septic permits come from the Morgan County Health Department, not the city, and an Approval for Use is needed before occupancy2124.
  • Occupied vehicles used for sleeping or camping for more than 2 hours a day in a prohibited location are unlawful under Hartselle's city code7.

Sources

  1. City of Hartselle Building Office (Engineering Department) (hartselle.org)
  2. City of Hartselle Planning Office (Development Department) (hartselle.org)
  3. Services | Morgan County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  4. Appendix A—Zoning, Article 4—Enforcement (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  5. Can I Live On This Lot?, quoted and re-checked
  6. Exemptions - Home Builders Licensure Board, quoted and re-checked
  7. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 90-113 Parking or presence of occupied vehicles for prolonged periods of time prohibited (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  8. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 46-18 Specific standards (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  9. amhc.alabama.gov, quoted and re-checked
  10. Code of Ordinances: Sec. 46-18 Specific standards (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  11. Division 9: Well Driller Licensing Program, quoted and re-checked
  12. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  13. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  14. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  15. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  16. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  17. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  18. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  19. Code of Ordinances: Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.4 Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS) (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  20. Services | Morgan County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  21. Environmental Services | Madison County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  22. 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
  23. Appendix A—Zoning, Sec. 21.3—Manufactured home rental district (Hartselle), quoted and re-checked
  24. Morgan County Health Department - Environmental Services (alabamapublichealth.gov)
  25. Alabama law on county zoning and building authority
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: 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 Hartselle

Hartselle’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction, addition, or extension of a manufactured-home subdivision in Hartselle's MHS district.

    • A construction permit cannot issue until the final subdivision plat has been approved by the Hartselle Planning Commission.
    “Construction of, addition to, or extension of a manufactured home subdivision may not commence until a construction permit has been obtained.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Land, buildings, or structures erected, moved, or altered in use within Hartselle city limits.

    • The building inspector must find the land or structure conforms with the zoning ordinance.
    • After notice that the premises are ready, the ordinance directs final inspection within three days; a refusal must state the cause in writing.

    final-inspection timing: <= 3 days (Runs after owner or agent notifies the building inspector that the building or premises is ready for occupancy or use.)

    “No land or building or other structure or part thereof hereafter erected, moved or altered in its use shall be used until the building inspector of the city shall have issued a certificate of occupancy stating that such land or structure or part thereof is found to be in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within Hartselle city limits.

    • The municipal zoning ordinance is administered and enforced by the city building inspector.
    “The provisions of this ordinance shall be administered and enforced by the building inspector of the City of Hartselle.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts inside Hartselle city limits.

    • This finding confirms publication of MHS and MHR district regulations; it does not establish a complete citywide district inventory.
    “Manufactured home subdivision district (MHS). (a) Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure a minimum standard of site development for manufactured home subdivisions in the City of Hartselle.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy of a vehicle, including an RV, in prohibited locations within Hartselle city limits.

    • The prohibition is limited to a prohibited location and does not establish a rule for every private parcel.
    • An occupied vehicle means a vehicle present at the same location more than two total hours in a calendar day and used for shelter, lodging, sleeping, camping, residence, dwelling, abiding, or a purpose for which the location is not intended.
    • Private-property permission and specified public-property permissions are exceptions.

    occupied-vehicle time: > 2 hours per calendar day (Along with the stated shelter, lodging, sleeping, camping, residence, dwelling, abiding, or unintended-use conditions.)

    “Occupied vehicle shall mean a vehicle which is parked, located or present at or within the same location for more than two total hours during any calendar day and: a. Is utilized for shelter, lodging, lounging, sleeping, camping, residence, dwelling, abiding or any other purpose for which the location is not intended;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Recreational vehicles placed on sites in Hartselle special-flood-hazard areas where base-flood-elevation data are available.
      “All recreational vehicles placed on sites must either: (i) be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, fully licensed and ready for highway use if it is licensed, on its wheels or jacking system, attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached structures or additions; or (ii) the recreational vehicle must meet all the requirements for "New Construction," including the anchoring and elevation requirements of Division 4, Section 46-18, provisions (3)(a) and (3)(c).”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping in an occupied vehicle at prohibited locations within Hartselle city limits.

    • This rule governs occupied vehicles in prohibited locations; it is not a general authorization or prohibition of tent camping on every parcel.
    • Owner permission is an exception on private property.
    “No person shall, and it shall be unlawful for any person to, park or allow another person to park any occupied vehicle, or cause the presence of any occupied vehicle, in any prohibited location as those terms are defined in this section.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    • The home must contain one dwelling unit with not less than 800 square feet of finished and conditioned living space, be constructed under the federal Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, and conform to applicable local, state, and federal codes.

    minimum finished and conditioned living space: >= 800 square feet

    “Manufactured home. As defined per section 39 herein, and further conforming to the following: Containing one dwelling unit of not less than 800 square feet in finished and conditioned living space; constructed in accordance with the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 as amended, 422 U.S.C. section 5401 et seq.; and conforming to all other applicable local, state and federal codes.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions within Hartselle's full corporate limits.

    • Planning Commission plat approval by resolution is required before filing with the Morgan County Probate Judge.
    • State and federal government-owned property is outside Planning Commission and municipal jurisdiction.
    “Whenever any subdivision of land is proposed, before any contract is made for the sale of any part thereof, and before the permit for the erection of any structure in such proposed subdivision is granted, the subdividing owner, or his authorized agent shall apply for and secure approval of such proposed subdivision in accordance with the provisions of the Subdivision Regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in Hartselle special-flood-hazard areas designated A1-30, AE, AH, or A with engineered or estimated base-flood elevation.

    • Applicable requirements vary by structure and flood zone; the cited section includes elevation, floodproofing, enclosure, manufactured-home, recreational-vehicle, and floodway conditions.
    “A Development Permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this ordinance PRIOR to the commencement of any development activities in identified areas of special flood hazard and community flood hazard areas within the community.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Bed-and-breakfast lodging within Hartselle city limits where allowed through the zoning ordinance.

    • The definition is for an owner-occupied single-family dwelling that is the owner's primary residence.
    • Guest rooms may occupy no more than 40 percent of total dwelling floor area; guest stays may not exceed five nights.
    • Additional location, approval, signage, traffic, driveway, and parking conditions apply.

    maximum guest-room floor area: <= 40 percent of dwelling floor area (Bed and breakfast inn.) · maximum guest occupancy term: <= 5 nights (Bed and breakfast inn.)

    “Not more than 40 percent of the total floor area of the dwelling shall be utilized for bed and breakfast guest rooms and the maximum occupancy term for guests shall be five nights.”

Rules another office applies inside Hartselle

Hartselle 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

    Manufactured homes in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    • Applies to the ordinance's defined manufactured homes in MHS.

    minimum finished and conditioned living space: >= 800 square feet

    “Manufactured home. As defined per section 39 herein, and further conforming to the following: Containing one dwelling unit of not less than 800 square feet in finished and conditioned living space;”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family development in Hartselle's R-1 residential district.

    • The listed lot width is 85 feet.

    minimum lot area: 12000 square feet (R-1 district.) · minimum lot width: 85 feet (R-1 district.)

    “R-1 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 12,000 | 85 | 3 | 2 | 50”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Structures in Hartselle's R-1 residential district.

    • Table columns specify front yard, primary-structure rear and side yards, and accessory-structure rear and side yards.

    front yard: 35 feet (R-1.) · primary-structure rear yard: 30 feet (R-1.) · primary-structure side yard: 5 feet (R-1.)

    “R-1 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 12,000 | 85 | 3 | 2 | 50”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Structures in Hartselle's R-1 residential district.

    maximum building area: <= 50 percent of lot area (R-1.)

    “R-1 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 12,000 | 85 | 3 | 2 | 50”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings or structures in Hartselle's MHS manufactured-home subdivision district.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (Also limited to three stories.)

    “No building or structure erected or placed shall have a height greater than three stories or 35 feet;”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Manufactured-home rental developments in Hartselle's MHR district.

    • Connection must be to public sanitary sewer and public water lines of sufficient size and capacity to meet current city and utility requirements.
    “Each development shall be provided with a connection to a public sanitary sewer line and a public water line of sufficient size and capacity to meet all current city and utility requirements;”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Manufactured-home rental developments in Hartselle's MHR district.

    • The site must abut and directly access a public street, with at least 60 feet of site width for access.
    • No dwelling unit may have direct access to a public street.
    • Access points have stated right-of-way and pavement-width standards.

    access-site width: >= 60 feet (MHR direct access to a public street.)

    “The site shall abut and have direct access to a public street. The minimum width of the site for said access shall be 60 feet;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Preliminary development-plan submission for a manufactured-home park development in Hartselle's MHR district.

    • The cited fee applies to the preliminary-review submission described by the MHR ordinance.

    preliminary review submittal fee: 100 USD

    “The fee for submittal shall be $100.00. Upon approval by the Hartselle Planning Commission, the preliminary development plan is valid”
  • Permit processPartial

    Construction-permit applications for manufactured-home subdivisions in Hartselle's MHS district.

    • The application must include the applicant's name and address, legal site description, final plat prepared under the chapter, and proof of ownership or legal land option.
    “The following shall be reflected on the application for a construction permit: (1) Name and address of the applicant; (2) Legal description of the site; (3) Final plat of the proposed subdivision, prepared in accordance with this chapter; (4) Proof of ownership or legal land option.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction within Hartselle city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Construction within Hartselle city limits.
  • Inspections — Building work inside Hartselle city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy within Hartselle city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units within Hartselle city limits.
6 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption

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

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