P.O. Box 2089, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
Phone: (205) 248-5110 · urbandevelopment@tuscaloosa.com
Plans: planreview@tuscaloosa.com
Portal: CityView Portal →
Tuscaloosa electrical permit rules — the basics
Electrical permits go through the CityView portal or email udmail@tuscaloosa.com. Phone: (205) 248-5110. Alabama-licensed electricians hold electrical permits. Alabama Power provides electricity to Tuscaloosa; service changes require Alabama Power coordination alongside city permits. Property owners may do own electrical work on primary residence without contractor licensing. Alabama Homebuilders License required for overall projects at $10,000 or more.
Alabama Power and Spire are separate companies: Alabama Power for electricity, Spire for natural gas. For panel upgrades: contact Alabama Power. For gas line modifications alongside electrical work: contact Spire and apply for a separate gas permit through Building and Inspections at (205) 248-5110.
| Factor | How it affects your Tuscaloosa electrical permit |
|---|---|
| Alabama-licensed electrician | State electrical license required. Sub-contractors meet same requirements as GC plus specialty license. |
| Alabama Power electric utility | Alabama Power (Southern Company) serves Tuscaloosa. Service changes, panel upgrades, solar interconnection: Alabama Power coordination. |
| Alabama Homebuilders License for $10,000+ | If overall project is at $10,000 or more, general contractor needs Alabama Homebuilders License. Verify at hblb.alabama.gov. |
| CityView portal and email | Apply at tuscaloosa.com/business/city-view-portal or email udmail@tuscaloosa.com. Plans to planreview@tuscaloosa.com. |
| Property owner option | Homeowners may do own electrical on primary residence without contractor licensing. |
What electrical work costs in Tuscaloosa
New circuit: $250 to $500. EV charger: $700 to $1,400. Service upgrade 200A: $3,000 to $7,000. Contact (205) 248-5110 for permit fee.
Common questions about Tuscaloosa AL electrical permits
How do I apply for an electrical permit in Tuscaloosa?
CityView portal at tuscaloosa.com/business/city-view-portal or email udmail@tuscaloosa.com. Phone: (205) 248-5110. Alabama-licensed electrician or homeowner for own primary residence.
Who provides electricity to Tuscaloosa AL?
Alabama Power, a Southern Company subsidiary, provides electricity to Tuscaloosa and most of Alabama, serving 1.5 million customers statewide. Regulated by the Alabama Public Service Commission. Contact Alabama Power at alabamapower.com for service changes, panel upgrades, and solar net metering interconnection.
Who provides natural gas to Tuscaloosa?
Spire, formerly known as Alagasco and before that Alabama Gas Corporation, provides natural gas to Tuscaloosa County with approximately 35,000 customers locally. Spire was rebranded from Alagasco in 2017. Contact Spire at spireenergy.com for gas service changes alongside city electrical permits.
Can a homeowner do their own electrical work in Tuscaloosa?
Yes. Property owners may obtain electrical permits and perform electrical work on their own primary residence in Tuscaloosa without contractor licensing. Contact (205) 248-5110 for current homeowner electrical permit requirements.
Does Alabama Power offer solar net metering in Tuscaloosa?
Yes. Alabama Power offers net metering for solar customers in Tuscaloosa. Contact Alabama Power at alabamapower.com for current net metering rates and interconnection requirements. Alabama has historically had less favorable solar policy than some states, so verify current net metering terms before sizing a solar system.
Tuscaloosa adopted codes — 2015 Alabama Residential Code in context
Tuscaloosa enforces the 2015 Alabama Residential Code, based on the 2015 International Residential Code with Alabama-specific amendments, effective October 1, 2016. The 2015 Alabama Residential Energy Code (2015 IECC with Alabama modifications) governs energy requirements. These codes are adopted by the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board and enforced locally by the City of Tuscaloosa's Buildings and Inspections Division.
Alabama's code adoption has historically lagged the newest ICC releases compared to some other states. Verify the current applicable edition with Building and Inspections at (205) 248-5110 when applying for permits, as Alabama periodically updates its codes. Plans submit electronically as PDF only (no ZIP files) to planreview@tuscaloosa.com. For large plan sets, use a company DropBox and send the link to planreview@tuscaloosa.com. Plan review averages 7 to 14 days for projects requiring sealed plans. Contact (205) 248-5110 or urbandevelopment@tuscaloosa.com for current code requirements for your specific scope.
Alabama Power and Spire — Tuscaloosa utility context
Tuscaloosa is served by two separate utility companies: Alabama Power for electricity and Spire (formerly Alagasco, formerly Alabama Gas Corporation) for natural gas. Alabama Power is a Southern Company subsidiary and the dominant electric utility in Alabama, serving approximately 1.5 million customers statewide. It is regulated by the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC). For electrical service changes, panel upgrades, and solar interconnection, contact Alabama Power at alabamapower.com. Spire is the natural gas distribution company serving Tuscaloosa County with approximately 35,000 customers locally. Spire was rebranded from Alagasco in 2017 after its parent company Laclede Group renamed itself Spire. For gas service changes, new gas lines, and gas service questions, contact Spire at spireenergy.com. Call 811 before any excavation in Tuscaloosa to locate both Alabama Power electric and Spire gas infrastructure plus city water and sewer lines.
City of Tuscaloosa Building & Inspections Division. Alabama Homebuilders License required for projects at $10,000 or more. Contact (205) 248-5110 for current permit fee schedule. Not engineering advice.
Alabama Power and Spire — Tuscaloosa utility context
Alabama Power (electricity, Southern Company subsidiary) and Spire, formerly Alagasco (natural gas), serve Tuscaloosa as two separate companies. Alabama Power serves 1.5 million customers statewide. Spire serves approximately 35,000 gas customers in Tuscaloosa County. Contact each utility for service changes alongside city permits from (205) 248-5110. Call 811 before any excavation to locate both utility lines plus city water/sewer.
Tuscaloosa adopted codes — 2015 Alabama Residential Code
Tuscaloosa enforces the 2015 Alabama Residential Code (based on the 2015 IRC with Alabama amendments, effective October 1, 2016) and the 2015 Alabama Energy Code. Plans submit electronically (PDF only, no ZIPs) to planreview@tuscaloosa.com. Plan review: 7 to 14 days for projects requiring sealed plans. Permit applications: udmail@tuscaloosa.com or CityView portal. Contact (205) 248-5110 for current requirements. Alabama Homebuilders License from hblb.alabama.gov for projects at $10,000 or more.