Garage conversion rules in Saraland, 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 Mobile County is a change of use needing a county building permit under the adopted 2012 IRC. Adding a bathroom off public sewer triggers an ADPH septic permit.
A garage conversion changes the space to habitable room, so Mobile County Inspection Services requires a building permit under the adopted 2012 IRC, with review of egress, ceiling height, insulation, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; new wiring and plumbing draw their own permits. There is no zoning to bar the conversion or a resulting second unit. If the work adds a bathroom or a bedroom and the lot is on septic, the Alabama Department of Public Health must approve added capacity 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 the onsite sewage rules.
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