Permits for a Contractor in Mobile, Alabama

A contractor in Mobile, Alabama needs 13 permits including alabama business privilege tax license, alabama home builders license, business privilege license, and more. Each has specific costs, deadlines, and renewal requirements.

We found 13 permits you’ll likely need. Costs, deadlines, and direct .gov links included.

13 permits found

For a Contractor in Mobile, AL

Business License (4)Employment (4)Signage (1)Tax (3)Zoning (1)

Business License

Alabama Business Privilege Tax License
Alabama Department of Revenue / County Probate Judge / City Revenue Office·AL (state-level)
Business License

Alabama requires businesses to obtain a privilege license (business license) from the county probate judge and/or municipal government. Alabama also imposes a state business privilege tax filed annually with the Department of Revenue.

$1 - $5 (Minimum $100 state business privilege tax; local fees vary)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to obtain license subjects business to penalties, back taxes, and fines. ($1 - $5)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Alabama Home Builders License
Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board·AL (state-level)
Business License

License required for residential home builders in Alabama. Issued by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board. Application fee $100 (non-refundable), annual license fee $250. Requires passing trade and business law exams.

$3 - $4 (Annual license fee $250; $100 application fee; exam fees additional)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~30 days
Building without a license is a Class C misdemeanor. Fines up to $500 per offense. ($3 - $5)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Business Privilege License
County Probate Judge / License Commissioner·AL (state-level)
Business License

Alabama requires a business privilege license from the county Probate Judge or License Commissioner. License required in every county where business is conducted. Fee starts at $100, increasing with gross receipts (up to $750 for $250,000+). Renewed annually by December 31 via MAT portal.

$1 - $8 (Based on annual gross receipts; starts at $100, up to $750 for receipts over $250,000)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Operating without license: penalties and late fees assessed by county. ($1 - $5)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Home Builders License
Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB)·AL (state-level)
Business License

License from Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board for residential construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement exceeding $10,000. Annual fee $250 plus $100 non-refundable application fee. Must pass exam and demonstrate financial responsibility.

$3 - $4 ($250 annual license fee + $100 non-refundable application fee)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~30 days
Contracting without license: Class C misdemeanor, fine $100-$500. Each day constitutes a separate offense. ($1 - $5)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Employment

Alabama Employer Tax Registration
Alabama Department of Revenue / Alabama Department of Labor·AL (state-level)
Employment

Registration with the Alabama Department of Revenue for state income tax withholding and with the Alabama Department of Labor for unemployment insurance tax. Required for all employers with employees in Alabama.

$0 - $0 (No registration fee)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to withhold and remit taxes results in penalties and interest. ($0 - $0)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Unemployment Compensation Tax Registration
Alabama Department of Labor·AL (state-level)
Employment

Registration with Alabama Department of Labor for unemployment compensation tax. Required for employers with 1+ employees. Tax rate varies by experience; new employer rate approximately 2.7% on first $8,000 per employee.

$0 - $0 (No registration fee; tax rate varies)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Failure to register and pay: penalties and interest. ($1 - $50)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Alabama Dept. of Labor, Workers' Compensation Division·AL (state-level)
Employment

Alabama requires workers' compensation for employers with 5+ employees (construction: 1+). Competitive-state system. Covers medical and wage-loss benefits for work-related injuries.

$5 - $50 (Premium varies by classification and payroll)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to carry coverage: misdemeanor, fine up to $1,000 per day. Employer liable for all injury costs. ($10 - $100)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Workers' Compensation Insurance (Alabama)
Alabama Department of Labor, Workers' Compensation Division·AL (state-level)
Employment

Alabama requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 5 or more employees. Construction employers must have coverage regardless of the number of employees.

$5 - $50 (Annual premium varies by industry, payroll, and experience modifier)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Operating without required workers' comp is a misdemeanor. Fines up to $1,000 per day uninsured. ($1 - $100)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Signage

Sign Permit
Local planning/zoning department·AL (state-level)
Signage

Local permit for business signage installation. Regulated by municipal and county zoning ordinances. ALDOT regulates outdoor advertising on state highways.

$0 - $2 (Varies by municipality)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Unpermitted signs ordered removed; fines per local ordinance. ($1 - $5)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Tax

Alabama Sales Tax License
Alabama Department of Revenue·AL (state-level)
Tax

Registration with the Alabama Department of Revenue for collection and remittance of state and local sales tax. Required for all businesses making retail sales. Alabama state sales tax is 4% plus county/city taxes.

$0 - $0 (No registration fee)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to collect and remit sales tax results in penalties and interest. ($0 - $0)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Sales Tax License
Alabama Department of Revenue·AL (state-level)
Tax

Registration with Alabama Department of Revenue for sales tax collection. State rate 4% plus county/city rates (total typically 8-10%). Required for all businesses selling tangible goods.

$0 - $0 (No fee for registration)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to collect: 10% penalty plus interest. ($1 - $100)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
State Income Tax Withholding Registration
Alabama Department of Revenue·AL (state-level)
Tax

Registration with Alabama DOR for state income tax withholding. Alabama has graduated rates from 2% to 5%. Required for all employers with employees in Alabama.

$0 - $0 (No fee for registration)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to withhold: penalty plus interest. ($1 - $100)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Zoning

Certificate of Occupancy
Local building/codes department·AL (state-level)
Zoning

Certificate from local building department confirming commercial space meets building, fire, and zoning codes for intended use. Required before operating any business in new or renovated space.

$1 - $5 (Varies by jurisdiction)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Occupying without CO: stop-work order, fines, forced closure. ($1 - $50)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

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From $12/month

Total penalty exposure

$20 – $525

if you skip or miss these permits

Based on published penalty schedules. Your actual fines may differ depending on your city or county.

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Riverside Bar & Grill

Austin, TX

94%
Liquor LicenseActive
Business LicenseActive
Health PermitActive
Fire Safety InspectionExpiring Soon
Sign PermitApplied
Verified by PermitDue — as of March 15, 2026
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