Do I need a permit for a full kitchen remodel in
Mountain Brook, Alabama?

Mountain Brook kitchen remodels — the key details

Mountain Brook adopts the 2015 International Building Code statewide. For kitchens, the most common trigger for a permit is any change to the structural frame (wall removal), any relocation of plumbing fixtures (sink, dishwasher drain connection, gas line to range), any new electrical circuit (small-appliance circuits, disposal, range vent motor), or any structural opening (removing a window or door, or cutting a wall for a range-hood exterior duct). IRC E3702 requires a minimum of two small-appliance branch circuits in every kitchen, each protected by a 20-amp breaker and running 12-gauge wire; the building official will verify both circuits are shown on your electrical plan before permit issuance. IRC P2722 governs kitchen drain sizing and venting — a 1.5-inch kitchen sink drain typically requires a full 2-inch trap arm and proper slope (1/4 inch per foot) to a vent stack; if you're moving the sink more than 8 feet from the main stack, the city will require a soil engineer's calculation or a new secondary vent. IRC G2406 covers gas appliance connections — if you're moving a gas range or adding a gas cooktop, you must show the new gas line on a plumbing plan, sized per local gas code, and the city will inspect the crimp fittings and pressure-test before final approval. The building official also enforces IRC R602.10, which requires any load-bearing wall removal to be engineered; this is the biggest surprise for homeowners — Mountain Brook does not grant a blanket exception for 'small' walls. Even a non-load-bearing wall that spans perpendicular to floor joists may be deemed structural in a kitchen (where cabinetry and appliances concentrate weight). Request a structural engineer's letter ($400–$800) to confirm whether the wall is load-bearing; if it is, you'll need a beam design (typically $1,200–$2,500 total for engineer + permit). Most kitchens also require a range-hood vent ducted to the exterior (IRC M1505.3 prohibits recirculating hoods in kitchens with gas cooking). Cutting a 4-6 inch hole through an exterior wall requires a detailed plan showing the duct termination, cap, and soffit clearance; Mountain Brook inspectors will flag vents that exhaust below a soffit or too close to a neighbor's property line.