Birmingham, AL Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- National Electrical Code, 2014 Edition
- Permit required
- Sec. 7-1-3 § 103, before any electrical work
- Apprentice registration fee
- $35.00 per year (§111.3.11)
- Journeyman/master renewal fee
- $35.00 / $50.00 per year (§111.3.12)
- Work started before permit issued
- Fee doubled (§104.2)
- Examinations conducted by
- State of Alabama Electrical Contractors Board
- General penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 6 months jail (§1-1-6)
Summary
Birmingham requires a permit from the Building Official before any electrical installation, alteration or repair, under the city's Technical Code, which adopts the 2014 National Electrical Code. Work must be done by a licensed master, journeyman or apprentice electrician, and starting work before the permit issues doubles the required fee.
103 CONSTRUCTION PERMITS A person, firm or corporation shall not erect, construct, enlarge, install, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building, structure, elevator, escalator, electrical, gas, fire protection, mechanical or plumbing system in the City of Birmingham, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a permit for such from the Building and/or Fire Official. ... 103.1.1 When Required. Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any fire protection, electrical, elevator, escalator, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this Code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building and/or Fire Official and obtain the required permit for the work.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 3).
Full Breakdown
The Technical Code of the City of Birmingham, 2015 (Ord. No. 15-164, amended by Ord. No. 16-88) adopts the National Electrical Code, 2014 Edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association, for the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances (Sec. 7-1-2(e)). Chapter 1, Administration (Sec. 1 requires the owner, agent or contractor to file an application and secure the permit before the work is done. Notably, Sec. 7-1-2(b) exception 1 provides that where the International Residential Code or International Building Code cross-references an 'ICC Electrical Code,' that cross-reference does not apply to residential construction, because Birmingham runs its own NEC-based electrical program.
2 routes all electrical examinations through the State of Alabama Electrical Contractors Board. 12). Certificates run only for the calendar year issued, and working as a master, journeyman or maintenance electrician without a current, unrevoked certificate is unlawful. 13).
Violations & Fines
Installing, altering or repairing an electrical system without the required permit violates Sec. 7-1-3, Section 103. If work starts before the permit issues, Section 104.2 doubles the fee, with an added $50.00 penalty for each repeat violation within twelve months. The Building Official may withhold further permits until earlier violations are corrected, and any Technical Code violation is punishable under the city's general penalty, Sec. 1-1-6, by a fine up to $500.00 or up to six months in the city jail, workhouse or hard labor, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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