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READYDOCSCOMPLIANCESTATESALABAMAMOBILE COUNTY
FILE 01097 · COUNTY OF MOBILESEAT · MOBILEPOPULATION · 413KVERIFIED · 05 / 2026
Public Compliance Directory · County Hub

Mobile.

Mobile 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
1
Trades indexed
12
County seat
Mobile
Last verified
05 / 2026
FAST FACTS

Mobile County at a glance

Quick-reference card
County seatMobile
Population (est.)413K
FIPS01097
Building departmentCity-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals
Permit portalCity-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals
Fire marshalMobile County Fire Marshal's Office
Browse cities→Back to state←
County of
Mobile
· ACTIVE FILE ·
ARTICLE I · COUNTY BASELINE
CODES & LOCAL AUTHORITY
FIPS 01097
Article I · County Baseline

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

2018 International Codes adopted by the county with local amendments.

The City of Mobile and several other incorporated municipalities within Mobile County operate their own building permit and zoning departments. The county's Planning and Zoning Department handles unincorporated areas. Coastal flood zone reviews are common due to proximity to the Gulf of Mexico.

Mobile County has a Tree Ordinance that requires review and potential mitigation for significant tree removal during development projects.

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 · City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portalsLast 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.

Contractors typically need to register with the specific city or the county if working in unincorporated areas, in addition to holding a state license.

Building

City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals

Permits, plans, inspections

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

Office · local
See sources →
Permit portal

City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals

Apply, track, pay

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

Office · local
See sources →
Planning / zoning

Mobile County Planning and Zoning Department

Land use, plan review

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

Office · local
See sources →
Fire marshal

Mobile County Fire Marshal's Office

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 Mobile 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
City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals
Surety BondTied to state license or county permit
Conditional
State/local bonds vary by license and permit
State or county
County overlayStandard state requirements for contractor insurance and bonding apply, with specific project needs potentially varying.
Verify
Varies
City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals
Source · City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portalsVerify before filing
ARTICLE IV · INDEXED CITIES
CITIES IN MOBILE COUNTY
1 CITY
Article IV · Browse by City

Indexed cities in Mobile 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.

MobileMobile County
01
ARTICLE V · TRADES
TRADES IN MOBILE COUNTY
12 TRADES
Article V · Trades

Trades branching in Mobile 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

City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals

Department that issues permits and schedules inspections for unincorporated areas.

City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Planning

Mobile County Planning and Zoning Department

Land use, zoning review, and plan approvals.

Local planning office
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Fire

Mobile County Fire Marshal's Office

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 Mobile County?+
Usually yes — the baseline is the state license through Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors; Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board. Mobile 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 (City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals). Work inside an incorporated city normally files with that city's department.Source · City-by-city; Mobile and other cities run independent permit portals
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.

Mobile 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←