Jefferson County, Alabama

Development Services Department

 

Department of Development Services
Director: Joshua Johnson
Deputy Director: Dayla Baugh, PE

Helpful Links

Please contact our office at 205-325-5321 for verbal assistance.
Inspections - Option 1
Permit/Plans Review Questions - Option 2
Engineering - Option 3
Planning/Zoning/Public Hearings - Option 4
Subdivisions - Option 5
Code Enforcement - Option 6
Additional Assistance - Option 9
Reach staff by name - Option 0
Stormwater Hotline - 205-325-5792
Zoning/Litter Violations - 205-582-6555
Fax - 205-325-5516


IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

  • Requirements for Temp/Perm Power on Residential Permits (Effective 03/01/2023)
    A list of requirements was comprised by the Electrical Inspectors of Jefferson County in an effort to help the growing public to receive temp/perm power on residential properties that are properly permitted and inspected. We hope that this significant change reflects our willingness to aid our customer base in moving their projects along and minimize the dangers associated with past practices. In order to be considered for temp/perm power on residential only, we will require the following to be completed.  Read more.

  • Online Permitting
    Effective March 2, 2021, Development Services is entirely digital. All permits and applications are available electronically and all payments may be made online, thus reducing, if not eliminating your need to visit in person. Permits, zoning amendments, subdivision, beverage cases, site plan and all other applications may be applied for online at our online portal, ePermitJC. Architectural, Trade and Site Plans are requested to be submitted electronically in Adobe PDF format, uploaded during your application process. Plans will be reviewed digitally giving you instant access 24/7 to staff review comments.

    Inspection requests for building permits issued after November 1, 2020 may be made by calling our IVR system at 205-918-7762, by texting “Schedule” to 844-752-6068, or through the website at ePermitJC. For older permits, call our staff at 205-325-5321, “Option 1”. IVR, SelecTXT and ePermitJC options are available to you 24/7.

    Learn how to create a new account and discover helpful resources for online permitting with Jefferson County on our ePermitJC Info page. If you are actively pulling permits in person and would like to start applying on online, you will need to connect your registered professional license to your ePermitJC account, here's how.

  • Consolidated Fees
    On November 5, 2020, the Development Services Fees were consolidated into one fee ordinance, Ord 6349, which supersedes any previous fees. You may find this consolidated Fee Schedule document here.

  • Amendments to the Building, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, and Electrical Code Ordinances
    On July 9, 2020, the Jefferson County Commission adopted amendments to the previously adopted Building, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, and Electrical Code Ordinances. Read more

Mission Statement: Development Services is a customer focused department that facilitates investment in the County and promotes orderly growth and environmental quality to create a balanced, sustainable community, one that enhances quality of life and protects the health, safety, and welfare of residents, business owners and visitors.


Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Except on Holidays)

Address:
Jefferson County Courthouse Suite B200
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N.
Birmingham, AL 35203

General Information:  The core functions of the Development Services Department include:

Building
  • Residential and Commercial Permitting
  • Land Disturbance

Planning
  • Subdivisions
  • Zoning
  • Site Plan Review & Processing
  • Comprehensive Planning
  • Strategic Planning
  • Future Land Use Map
  • Beverage Licensing

Site Plan Review


Code Enforcement (zoning and litter)


Stormwater
  • Water Quality
  • NPDES and MS4 Stormwater Management
  • Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Permitting, and Enforcement
  • Environmental Education
  • FEMA Flood Zone Administration


GIS
  • Address Assignment and 911 Database Support
  • GIS Mapping and Historical Research (aerial photography)


The Jefferson County Development Services department maintains the official zoning map of Jefferson County. Only this office has the OFFICIAL zoning of unincorporated county property; zoning information obtained from ANY other source, including other County Departments, should be verified through our office before taking any kind of action.

Regulations and Ordinances
Click here to visit our page of information about and copies of the Jefferson County regulations & ordinances.

Publications
Click here to visit our page with printable brochures, forms and other publications with information about Zoning, Dividing Property, Enforcement, Floodplain and other functions of Development Services.

Click on the links below to download PDF versions of these documents:
Related Departments: