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READYDOCSCOMPLIANCESTATESALABAMABALDWIN COUNTY
FILE 01003 · COUNTY OF BALDWINSEAT · BAY MINETTEPOPULATION · 246KVERIFIED · 05 / 2026
Public Compliance Directory · County Hub

Baldwin.

Baldwin County in Alabama. This is where the state file translates into the local offices that actually issue the permit, schedule the inspection, and sign the filing. Start with the state baseline, then drill into the right city.

Cities on file
2
Trades indexed
12
County seat
Bay Minette
Last verified
05 / 2026
FAST FACTS

Baldwin County at a glance

Quick-reference card
County seatBay Minette
Population (est.)246K
FIPS01003
Building departmentBaldwin County Planning & Zoning (unincorporated)
Permit portalCity-by-city (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, etc.)
Fire marshalBaldwin County Fire Marshal
Browse cities→Back to state←
County of
Baldwin
· ACTIVE FILE ·
ARTICLE I · COUNTY BASELINE
CODES & LOCAL AUTHORITY
FIPS 01003
Article I · County Baseline

The county inherits from the state. And adds local rules.

2015 International Codes with Alabama state amendments.

Cities (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, Daphne, Foley, Spanish Fort) run their own permit operations. Baldwin County handles unincorporated permits and floodplain review.

Coastal wind-borne debris and flood-zone overlays apply broadly south of I-10.

How this fits with the state

The state authority here is Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors; Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board. The county file does not replace that — it adds the permit office, local overlays, and the actual filing path.

Source · Baldwin County Planning & Zoning (unincorporated)Last verified · 05 / 2026
ARTICLE II · PERMIT OFFICES
WHERE THE PERMIT IS FILED
OPERATING PATH
Article II · Local Offices

Who issues, who inspects, who signs off.

State licensing baseline; local registration may apply per city.

Building

Baldwin County Planning & Zoning (unincorporated)

Permits, plans, inspections

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
Permit portal

City-by-city (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, etc.)

Apply, track, pay

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
Planning / zoning

Baldwin County Planning Department

Land use, plan review

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
Fire marshal

Baldwin County Fire Marshal

Prevention, alarms, sprinklers

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
ARTICLE III · INSURANCE & BONDS
COUNTY OVERLAY ON STATE BASELINE
VERIFY BEFORE BIDDING
Article III · County Overlay

What Baldwin County usually adds.

The state sets the floor. The county and city can require additional certificates, local bonds, or pre-permit registration.

CoverageRequired?MinimumIssued by
Workers' CompensationState rule with county add-ons
Verify
Verify employer threshold and exemptions
State authority
General LiabilityOften required by permit type
Conditional
Permit-based
Baldwin County Planning & Zoning (unincorporated)
Surety BondTied to state license or county permit
Conditional
State/local bonds vary by license and permit
State or county
County overlayAlabama Home Builders Licensure Board credential for residential; General Contractors Licensing Board for larger commercial. Coastal wind insurance commonly required.
Verify
Varies
Baldwin County Planning & Zoning (unincorporated)
Source · Baldwin County Planning & Zoning (unincorporated)Verify before filing
ARTICLE IV · INDEXED CITIES
CITIES IN BALDWIN COUNTY
2 CITIES
Article IV · Browse by City

Indexed cities in Baldwin County.

Pick a city to open its trade list. The trade page covers licensing, permits, insurance, and typical costs for that work in that city.

DaphneBaldwin County
01
Gulf ShoresBaldwin County
02
ARTICLE V · TRADES
TRADES IN BALDWIN COUNTY
12 TRADES
Article V · Trades

Trades branching in Baldwin County.

Each trade opens against the first indexed city in the county. Use the city browser above to open the same trade in another city.

Concrete
CODE · CN
GL
Open file →
Electrical
CODE · EL
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
Flooring
CODE · FL
GL
Open file →
Framing
CODE · FR
GL
Open file →
General Contracting
CODE · GC
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
HVAC
CODE · HV
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
Landscaping
CODE · LS
GL
Open file →
Painting
CODE · PT
GL
Open file →
Pest Control
CODE · PC
State Lic.GL
Open file →
Plumbing
CODE · PL
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
Pool Service
CODE · PS
GLBond
Open file →
Roofing
CODE · RF
LicenseBondGL
Open file →
ARTICLE VI · SOURCES
LOCAL SOURCE REGISTER
VERIFY LOCALLY
Article VI · Sources & Citations

Every filing needs a source trail.

This template keeps the county page honest: local context here, filing decisions made with the issuing office.

State

Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors; Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board

Statewide licensing, reciprocity, and renewal rules.

/contractors/alabama
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
County

Baldwin County Planning & Zoning (unincorporated)

Department that issues permits and schedules inspections for unincorporated areas.

City-by-city (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope, etc.)
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Planning

Baldwin County Planning Department

Land use, zoning review, and plan approvals.

Local planning office
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Fire

Baldwin County Fire Marshal

Prevention, protection systems, and code approvals.

Fire marshal's office
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Frequently Asked

Questions contractors ask before filing.

Q01Do I need a state license to work in Baldwin County?+
Usually yes — the baseline is the state license through Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors; Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board. Baldwin County and its cities may add local registration before you pull a permit.Source · Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors; Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board
Q02Does the county or the city issue the permit?+
It depends on where the work is. Unincorporated areas usually route through the county (Baldwin County Planning & Zoning (unincorporated)). Work inside an incorporated city normally files with that city's department.Source · Baldwin County Planning & Zoning (unincorporated)
Q03What changes between county and state?+
The county adds the actual permit office, local zoning overlays, plan-review timelines, inspections, and local fees. The state license defines who can contract; the county defines how the job gets filed.Source · County and municipal departments

Open the county file. Then pick the city.

Baldwin County now inherits from the state template and adds its own local detail. The next layer is the city and trade pages.

Browse cities→Back to state←