Mobile property owners must obtain a grading permit from Engineering before moving significant fill, altering drainage swales, or raising lot elevation, especially in flood-prone neighborhoods near Eslava and Three Mile Creeks.
Mobile's flat coastal plain and clay subsoils mean small grade changes can flood neighbors. The Engineering Department reviews drainage plans for projects that move more than a few cubic yards of fill or alter sheet flow toward adjacent parcels. Property owners cannot block drainage easements or fill ditches that serve upstream lots. New driveways crossing roadside ditches require approved culverts sized by Engineering. Subdivisions must dedicate drainage easements at platting, and homeowners cannot encroach with fences, sheds, or landscaping that obstructs flow.
Unpermitted fill or blocked drainage commonly triggers a restoration order and civil fines from 100 to 500 dollars, plus liability for downstream flood damage.
Mobile, AL
Mobile has no city ordinance restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. The Code of Ordinances property-mai...
Mobile, AL
Mobile has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to right-...
Mobile, AL
Mobile has no city ordinance setting installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Lights are permitted year-ro...
Mobile, AL
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Mobile require permits through Build Mobile: a building permit for the structure, a gas-line permit for natural-gas or stationar...
Mobile, AL
Mobile has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Operation...
Mobile, AL
Mobile adopts the International Fire Code through Code of Ordinances Chapter 11 (Buildings) and fire-prevention provisions in Chapter 20 (Fire Protection). I...
See how Mobile's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.