Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Frequently Asked Questions

    1.  What are the City of Muscle Shoals codes dealing with building, construction, and related activity?
    2.  How many sets of plans are required for construction?
    3.  What are the requirements for obtaining residential building permits?
    4.  What types of inspections are required for construction?
    5.  Does the City of Muscle Shoals have a landscaping ordinance?
    6.  Does the City of Muscle Shoals have a sign ordinance?
    7.  When is a City of Muscle Shoals business license required?
    8.  What is the business license year?
    9.  When are license renewal due?
    10.  What is considered timely payment?
    11.  Is the contractor required to be certified by the contractor’s board to do commercial construction?
    12.  What are the various municipal tax rates?
    13.  Does the City have an ordinance to control high weeds and grass?
    14.  Does the City regulate abandoned or junk vehicles?
 
    Q.  What are the City of Muscle Shoals codes dealing with building, construction, and related activity?
    A. 
  • International Mechanical Code, 2003 edition
  • International Fire Code, 2021 edition
  • National Electrical Code, 2005 edition
  • International Building Code, 2003 edition
  • International Plumbing Code, 2003 edition
  • International Fuel & Gas Code, 2003 edition
  • International Residential Code, 2003 edition 


    Q.  How many sets of plans are required for construction?
    A.  Three (3) sets of complete, stamped, drawings for commercial. One (1) set of drawings on magnetic media.

    Q.  What are the requirements for obtaining residential building permits?
    A.  A plot plan drawn by a registered land surveyor showing how structure(s) will be situated on property and setback lines. Indicate if property is located in designated flood zone. If property is not provided by sanitary sewer a permit from Colbert County Health Department is required. Homeowners (acting as own contractor) & licensed homebuilders can purchase building permits. There is a one-day turn around after submittal of paperwork for building permit.

    Q.  What types of inspections are required for construction?
    A.  Footings/slabs “before concrete is placed”.
Temporary power pole
Framing “carpenter work”
Plumbing, Gas, Mechanical, & Electrical “Rough-in”
Plumbing, Gas, Mechanical, Electrical, & Building “final inspection”
Certificate of Occupancy will only be issued after all inspections have
passed.

    Q.  Does the City of Muscle Shoals have a landscaping ordinance?
    A.  Yes, for a copy please contact us at (256)386-9205.

    Q.  Does the City of Muscle Shoals have a sign ordinance?
    A.  Yes, for a copy please contact us at (256) 386-9205.

    Q.  When is a City of Muscle Shoals business license required?
    A.  A business license is required by any person or other entity prior to starting any service or business activity in the City of Muscle Shoals.

    Q.  What is the business license year?
    A.  The City of Muscle Shoals business license year runs January 1st through December 31st.

    Q.  When are license renewal due?
    A.  The renewal of a business license is delinquent after January 31st, and a penalty is imposed for licenses renewed after that date.

    Q.  What is considered timely payment?
    A.  Payment is considered timely if delivered or postmarked by the postal service on or before the due date. If the due date falls on a weekend or City observed holiday, payment is considered timely if hand-delivered or postmarked on the next business day.

    Q.  Is the contractor required to be certified by the contractor’s board to do commercial construction?
    A.  Yes, this is a state requirement.

    Q.  What are the various municipal tax rates?
    A.  Sales – Collected by the Alabama Department of Revenue
Use – Collected by the Alabama Department of Revenue
Rental – Collected by the Alabama Department of Revenue
Lodgings – 3%
Liquor – 5% of gross sales (within city limits)
2 ˝ % of gross sales (outside city limits)
Gasoline - .03 per gallon (within city limits) .015 per gallon (outside city limits)

    Q.  Does the City have an ordinance to control high weeds and grass?
    A.  Ordinance #1202-99 states that all properties shall be free of any growth of weeds and/or accumulation of trash or debris favorable to the harboring of mosquitoes or other insects, rats, snakes, or rodents or reptiles of any kind. Any growth 12 inches in height shall be deemed favorable and is in violation of the ordinance.

    Q.  Does the City regulate abandoned or junk vehicles?
    A.  Ordinance #1272-02 states any owner or person in charge or control of any real property within the city shall not allow any vehicle which is non-operating, partially dismantled, junked, discarded, or damaged to the extent it cannot be operated on public raods, or any vehicle that does not display a current vehicle registration tag, tractor trailer shall be in violation of the ordinance.