Building Safety in Mobile, AL (2026)
7 verified building safety rules for Mobile, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
Mobile's Property Maintenance Code requires every elevator to stay in service under the ASME A17.1 safety code, with a current inspection certificate posted where the public can see it. Buildings with passenger elevators must keep at least one running whenever occupied, and a separate city ordinance makes elevator operators carry liability insurance.
Mobile Elevator Maintenance and Insurance Rules
Some RestrictionsMobile City Code § 52-1 (Property Maintenance Code §§ 606.1, 606.2); § 11-72
606.1 General. Elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators shall be maintained in compliance with ASME A17.1. The most current certificate of inspection shall be on display at all times within the elevator or attached to the escalator or dumbwaiter, be available for public inspection in the office of the building operator or be posted in a publicly conspicuous location approved by the code official. ...
Door Locking Hardware
Mobile requires every rented dwelling, rooming, or housekeeping unit door to have a deadbolt with at least a 1-inch throw that opens without a key from inside.
Mobile Rental Deadbolt Lock Rule
Some RestrictionsMobile City Code § 52-1 (Property Maintenance Code § 304.18.1)
304.18.1 Doors. Doors providing access to a dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit that is rented, leased or let shall be equipped with a deadbolt lock designed to be readily openable from the side from which egress is to be made without the need for keys, special knowledge or effort and shall have a minimum lock throw of 1 inch (25 mm). Such deadbolt locks shall be installed accordin...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Mobile's Property Maintenance Code makes carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in dwellings, pointing owners to the same national fire and residential code sections that set placement and installation standards. Section 705.2 goes further, requiring the alarms and any detection system to be kept working under NFPA 720 and replaced the moment they go inoperable or start signaling end-of-life.
Mobile Carbon Monoxide Alarm Installation Rule
Some RestrictionsMobile City Code § 52-1 (Property Maintenance Code §§ 705.1, 705.2)
705.1 General. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in dwellings in accordance with Section 1103.9 of the International Fire Code, except that alarms in dwellings covered by the International Residential Code shall be installed in accordance with Section R315 of that code. 705.2 Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detection systems shall be main...
Building Permits
Mobile requires a building permit for most construction, alteration, or repair work under City Code Section 11-34, with narrow exemptions like small playhouses and low retaining walls.
When Mobile, Alabama Requires a Building Permit
Some RestrictionsMobile City Code § 11-34
(1)Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Building permits shall not be required for the following:a.Playhouses and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed one hundred tw...
Electrical Permits
Mobile requires an electrical permit for most work under City Code Section 11-35, exempting only minor repairs, radio/TV transmission wiring, and temporary testing systems.
Electrical Permit Exemptions in Mobile, Alabama
Some RestrictionsMobile City Code § 11-35
(1)Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Electrical permits shall not be required for the following:a.Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps o...
Plumbing Permits
Mobile enforces the 2021 International Plumbing Code as its own Plumbing Code, requiring a licensed plumber and permit fee for most plumbing work under City Code § 45-1.
Mobile Plumbing Permit Code
Some RestrictionsMobile City Code § 45-1
Pursuant to Code of Ala. § 11-45-8 (1975), the 2021 Edition of the International Plumbing Code along with the amendments to the same contained in this article, has been on file in the office of the city clerk, pursuant to an ordinance adopted by the city council on November 8, 2022, is hereby adopted as the "Plumbing Code of the City of Mobile." (Ord. No. 46-037, § 1, 6-23-87; Ord. No. 46-00...
Building Inspections
Mobile's code official must inspect for Property Maintenance Code violations and may enter structures at reasonable times to check compliance.
Mobile Code Official Inspection Powers
Some RestrictionsMobile City Code § 52-1 (Property Maintenance Code §§ 105.2, 105.3)
105.2 Inspections. The code official shall make all of the required inspections, or shall accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. Reports of such inspections shall be in writing and be certified by a responsible officer of such approved agency or by the responsible individual. The code official is authorized to engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report o...
Looking for Mobile County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mobile city rules.
Building Safety in Mobile County →