Commercial/Multi-Family

If you're constructing, repairing or altering a building such as a warehouse, factory, office, hospital, or any number of multi-family buildings like apartments, condominiums, and townhomes, you'll need to consider:

Before

1. Look up property address

   
   
   • Get a street ticket (an official address) will need to be obtained from the Engineering Department. [street ticket: the Engineering Dept will issue a new physical street address ].
   • A flood zone check will need to be done by the Engineering Department counter. If you want to see what flood zone the property is in and check for possible issues you can click on the link.
   • If in a flood zone, get flood zone designation and elevation requirements from Engineering Department.

2. Fee Schedules

   
   

3. Pre-Plan Submission Review

   
   
   • Meeting recommended for large/complex projects

4. Plan Review (Possible Planning Commission)

   
   

5. Site Engineering (Land Disturbance Permit)

   
   
   • The engineer's certification and checklist forms are required to submit a land disturbance permit - to initiate the plans review process for engineering and right of way.
   • City Engineering standard drawings for use in preparation of the plans are available for reference.
   • The City Storm Water Management and Flood Control Ordinance is the basis for the engineer's design certification and checklist; it is a good resource for design and can be found here.
   • An additional resource is the Flood Plain Management Plan. The Storm Water Management and Flood Control Ordinance is the current ordinance, but the Flood Plain Management contains the hydrology behind the storm water detention the City utilizes as well as the rainfall intensity curve. It can be found here.

6. Building Permits

   
   
   • Download and complete Building Permit Application (PDF)
   • Building Code Summary for all Commercial Projects

7. Right of Way Permit

   
   

   needed to do work in the Right of Way (this permit is required in addition to a Land disturbance permit). This permit can be applied for at the same time as the land disturbance application is applied for. Theoretically, if all reviewing disciplines approve their reviews, ie. sign off on them the land disturbance or right of way review, you should be able to pick up the land disturbance permit from Central Permitting and walk over to the Engineering Counter and purchase the Right of Way permit.

   • Right of Way standard drawings are available from the Engineering Department for reference . Inspector zone map is available so that you will know which inspector to contact depending upon which area of town you live in.
   • Section VIII of Chapter 57 Rights of Way Construction and Administration Ordinance outlines requirements for construction in the City's Right of Way. This section of this chapter outlines Right of Way permit requirements. Click here to view.
   • There is a policy letter which clarifies submittal requirements.
   • Depending upon what type of work is being done in the right of way, a bond may be required to be submitted, at the time the permit is obtained. This bond will be in effect for two years from the date the work is accepted. Please contact Rosemary Sawyer or James Bolin in the City Engineering department to see if a bond will be required.
   
   
   

   During

   
   

8. Begin Construction

   
   

9. Get Project Inspections

   
   
   • Schedule and Inspection

10. Fire Prevention Permit

    
    
    • 2011 Fee Schedule for Permits
11. Zoning Certificate Request

     





After




12. Certificate of Occupancy

    
    
    • Need to submit engineer's as-built certification form from engineer of record before the engineering or right of way final inspection will be initiated.
    • For subdivision acceptance checklist, including a bond (and other requirements) that is required to be submitted before the subdivision will be accepted for maintenance by the City.
    • Commercial
    • Need to submit engineer's as-built certification form for commercial and residential site work from engineer of record before the engineering or right of way final inspection will be initiated.
    • Subdivision
    • Refer to the following documents to see the requirements for submission before a subdivision will be accepted for maintenance by the City. :
      1. There is a checklist which is outlined in the document entitled "street acceptance process"*  
      2. Street acceptance interim policy letter*
      3. Policy and procedures for City of Mobile Public Works Video Inspection of New Storm Sewer System Piping*
    • Once the required documentation is submitted, along with the engineer’s as-built certification form for subdivisions from the engineer of record, the engineering and right of way final inspection can be initiated.