Garage conversion rules in Madison County, AL — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Converting a garage to living space in unincorporated Madison County is a change of occupancy needing a county building permit under the 2018 IRC. Adding a bathroom on a septic lot triggers ADPH approval under Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-1.
A garage conversion turns non-habitable space into a habitable room, so the Madison County Inspection Department permits it under the adopted 2018 IRC and inspects egress, ceiling height, insulation, and smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms; new wiring and plumbing draw their own permits. The unit must still meet the zoning Public Works enforces. Where the work adds a bathroom or a bedroom and the lot is on septic, the Madison County Health Department must approve the added load under Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-1, since tank size is set by bedroom count.
Converting a garage to a bedroom without a permit is illegal habitable construction subject to stop-work orders. Adding a bathroom on septic without ADPH approval violates r. 420-3-1.
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