ADU rules in Madison County, AL — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
A detached dwelling or ADU in unincorporated Madison County needs a county building permit under the 2018 IRC, must meet the zoning enforced by Public Works, and off public sewer needs an onsite sewage permit under Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-1.
Unincorporated Madison County is regulated on three fronts. The Inspection Department permits a detached dwelling under the adopted 2018 International Residential Code; Public Works enforces the county's zoning, so the unit must satisfy the setbacks and use rules of its district; and where no public sewer serves the lot, the Alabama Department of Public Health, through the Madison County Health Department, must issue an onsite sewage permit under Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-1 before the dwelling is occupied. Septic capacity is sized by bedroom count.
Building an ADU without the county permit is illegal construction. Occupying it without an approved onsite sewage permit violates Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-1 and can force disconnection.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Madison County, AL
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See how Madison County's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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