Building permits and zoning in Homewood

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Homewood’s Inspections and Permits and Engineering and Zoning pages and the city’s 2026 meeting calendars.

Two city departments share the fourth floor of City Hall, 2850 19th St. S. Inspections and Permits handles building permits, plan review, inspections, certificates of occupancy and code enforcement. Engineering and Zoning handles zoning, variances, rezonings, resurveys, stormwater, tree permits and fence permits, and staffs the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustments.

Who to call

• Both departments, main line: 205-332-6800
• Apply online: Civic Access Plus, the city’s permit portal
• Zoning, BZA cases and sign permits: 205-709-3191
• All forms: Forms and Permits
• Zoning map: Homewood interactive zoning map

Getting a permit

Most applications start in Civic Access Plus. The city’s form library sends you there for commercial building, demolition, electrical, blasting and after-hours inspection permits, among others. Inspectors cover structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, natural gas and propane work.

Not sure what you need? Engineering and Zoning holds pre-application meetings every Monday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Book one through the department page.

Other common paperwork:

• Fences: a fence permit, applied for online.
• Trees: a tree-cutting application (PDF), with a field inspection before the permit.
• Zoning verification letter: request one online.
• Rules to read first: the zoning ordinance (PDF), the subdivision regulations (PDF) and the civil engineering checklist (PDF).

Part of Homewood sits in a flood zone. Floodplain questions go to the code compliance administrator in Inspections and Permits; the city’s floodplain development page has the rules.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission makes non-binding recommendations on rezonings, subdivisions and major development plans; the City Council makes the final decision. It meets at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in the City Hall council chambers. The fee is due when you apply, and applications close weeks ahead, according to the 2026 Planning Commission calendar (PDF):

Board of Zoning Adjustments

The BZA hears variances, such as relief from setback rules. It meets at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. The review deadline is 45 days before the hearing and the final deadline 30 days before, per the 2026 BZA calendar (PDF):

The city’s online calendar lists the November BZA meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, not Nov. 5; check the meetings page for the agenda date.

Both boards use the same Engineering and Zoning general application (PDF). Agendas and case packets are posted on the city’s meetings page, and meetings are streamed live.

Recent decisions worth knowing

• Data centers: the City Council approved a temporary moratorium on data center development in June 2026 while the city writes standards for them. The city said it had no pending data center applications.
• Green Springs Highway: on Oct. 6 the Planning Commission recommended a reduced landscape buffer for a proposed Dutch Bros at 832 Green Springs Highway but voted 4-2 against full traffic access to Raleigh Avenue. The council has the final say.

Historic districts

Homewood has a Historic Preservation Commission. If your property is in one of the historic neighborhoods, ask Engineering and Zoning whether your project needs the commission’s review before you apply. Our history and landmarks guide lists the city’s National Register districts.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a building permit in Homewood, Alabama?

Apply online through the city’s Civic Access portal, which handles building, electrical, demolition, fence and other permits. Inspections and Permits is on the fourth floor of City Hall, 205-332-6800.

When does the Homewood Planning Commission meet?

At 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in the City Hall council chambers. The next meetings are Nov. 3 and Dec. 1.

How do I ask for a variance in Homewood?

File with Engineering and Zoning for the Board of Zoning Adjustments, which meets at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. The final application deadline is 30 days before the hearing.

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in Homewood?

The city’s Engineering and Zoning department handles tree permits, and a tree-cutting application is posted on its page. Staff do a field inspection before the permit is issued.

Where is the Homewood zoning map?

The city publishes an interactive zoning map on ArcGIS, linked from its Engineering and Zoning page.