The City of Tuscaloosa requires extra steps to be taken in order to obtain building permits if any portion of the property lies in the regulated floodplain. Below is a step-by-step process for how flood permits are obtained.
To report suspected unpermitted development in the floodplain please contact the Office of the City Engineer: 205-248-5380.
My property contains a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated floodplain. How do I obtain a Building Permit?
1. Submit a surveyed site plan, done by a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), Professional Engineer (PE) or registered architect, to the Office of the City Engineer that includes all of the following:
a. The location of the floodplain.
b. The Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
c. The location of the structure.
d. The minimum finished floor elevation.
e. The location and elevation of machinery or equipment servicing the building.
*In addition to a surveyed site plan, if any portion of the proposed structure lies within Zones A, AE or the Floodway, architectural plans from a registered architect will need to be submitted to Planning and Development Services for review.
2. Once the plan has been reviewed and found to be in compliance with all applicable City of Tuscaloosa codes and requirements, a Land Development Permit (LDP) will be issued.
3. After an LDP has been issued, a “Foundation Only” Building Permit will be issued by Planning and Development Services.
How do I go from a “Foundation Only” Building Permit to a “Full” Building Permit?
1. Have a PLS, PE or registered architect complete a “Building Under Construction” Elevation Certificate once the minimum finished floor elevation of the structure under construction has been established.
2. Submit a hardcopy of the original, stamped “Building Under Construction” Elevation Certificate to Planning and Development Services for review.
3. Once the “Building Under Construction” Elevation Certificate has been approved, a “Full” Building Permit will be issued.
I am finished with construction. How do I obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO)?
1. Have a PLS, PE or registered architect complete a “Finished Construction” Elevation Certificate.
2. Submit a hardcopy of the original, stamped “Finished Construction” Elevation Certificate to Planning and Development Services for review.
3. Once the “Finished Construction” Elevation Certificate has been approved, the final inspection will be performed and a Certificate of Occupancy issued.
For more information or questions pertaining to permitting, please contact Planning and Development Services at 205-248-5110 or the Office of the City Engineer at 205-248-5380.