Dothan, AL Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2020 National Electrical Code
- License required
- City electrical license + state master certificate
- Inspection notice
- 12 working hours ahead
- License term
- 1 year, renewable
- Permit fee floor
- 0.20% of valuation, $50 minimum
Summary
The City of Dothan enforces the 2020 National Electrical Code on every wiring job. Sec. 14-56 requires anyone doing electrical work for others to hold a current city electrical license backed by a state master electrician's certificate, and Sec. 14-5 makes a permit mandatory before that work starts.
That certain documents ... being marked and designated as the International Code Council (ICC) Codes, 2021 Edition ... and Codes published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); National Electric Code, 2020 Edition (as prepared by the National Electrical Code Committee and copyrighted 2019) that are hereby incorporated by reference as a part of this article as though fully set forth herein, are hereby adopted as the "Building Codes of the City of Dothan, Alabama," ... ... Sec. 14-56. - License required. (a)Before engaging in the business of or doing any electrical installation or repair work for others in the city, each person must possess a current city electrical license.(b)Every applicant for a license to engage in the business of or doing any electrical work for others in the city must possess a master electricians' certificate issued by the state electrical contractor's board as prescribed in the Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-36-1 et seq. Where contract electrical work is being done, a master electrician must be on site.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 14 of the Dothan City Code adopts the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC), as prepared by the National Electrical Code Committee and copyrighted in 2019, as part of the city's Building Codes under Sec. 14-21. The Planning and Development Department's building official administers the code and issues permits under Sec. 14-2. Sec. 14-5 lists electrical work, including low-voltage, security and alarm wiring, among the trades that require a permit before work begins, with fees set by the valuation-based schedule in Sec. 14-6 and Sec.
14-7 (0.20 percent of valuation up to $500,000.00, sliding down to 0.10 percent above $2,000,000.00, with a $50.00 minimum). Before doing electrical work for others, Sec. 14-56 requires a current city electrical license, and the applicant must hold a master electrician's certificate from the State Electrical Contractor's Board under Code of Ala. 1975 § 34-36-1, with a master electrician on site whenever contract work is underway; the city inspector can demand proof of that state certificate, and noncompliance shuts the job down. Sec. 14-57 caps licenses at one year, renewable without re-examination unless the license lapses more than 12 months past its renewal date.
Sec. 14-53 makes it unlawful for any utility to connect new electric current until the city electrical inspector has inspected and approved the installation, and Sec. 14-54 requires 12 working hours' notice before that inspection, with work left uncovered until approved.
Violations & Fines
Skipping a required permit triggers Sec. 14-14's escalating fine: the lesser of $500.00 or double the permit fee for a first or second offense in 12 months, and the greater of double the fee or $500.00 for a third. Doing electrical work without the city license, or letting current or unpaid fees go uncollected, can also cost the contractor the license under Sec. 14-52 and Sec. 14-56, plus prosecution as a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dothan require a license to do electrical work for someone else?
What electrical code does the City of Dothan enforce?
How much notice do I need to give before an electrical inspection in Dothan?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dothan
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