Dothan, AL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

The City of Dothan's Planning and Development Department administers Chapter 14 of the Dothan City Code, and its building official runs every inspection called for under Sec. 14-3 through Sec. 14-14. Before a permitted job is covered up, whether it is framing, wiring, piping or HVAC ductwork, Sec. 14-4 requires the contractor, subcontractor or owner doing the work to notify the inspection office orally, by phone, in writing or electronically at least 12 working hours before the inspection is needed. Work stays uncovered until the inspector signs off.

Sec. 14-3 backstops that notice requirement: it is unlawful to construct, alter, repair, move or demolish a structure, or do land-disturbance, plumbing, electrical, heating or air-conditioning work, without first notifying the building official so a permit determination can be made, and it is unlawful to occupy the finished building without a certificate of occupancy. The building official can also issue a conditional certificate of occupancy for non-life-threatening items still outstanding, spelling out what must be finished and by when. If the building official decides a job endangers public health or safety, or is not covered by the adopted codes, Sec.

14-2 lets him suspend inspection services, refuse the certificate of occupancy, or issue a stop-work order at the site until the violation is fixed. Anyone who skips a required permit faces the escalating fine set out at Sec. 14-14: the lesser of $500.00 or double the permit fee for a first or second offense within 12 months, and the greater of double the fee or $500.00 for a third offense in the same period, on top of misdemeanor prosecution under Sec. 1-4.