Mechanical & Gas Permits
The City of Hoover has adopted the 2021 International Mechanical Code and the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code. Copies of these codes are located in the Hoover Library Reference Section or may be purchased from the International Code Congress by calling 205-591-1853.
Mechanical Permits
Mechanical permits are required when an owner, owner’s authorized agent or contractor who desires to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace a mechanical system, the installation of which is regulated by the 2021 International Mechanical Code, or to cause such work to be performed, shall first make application to the City of Hoover Building Inspection Department and obtain the required permit for work.
Exception: Where equipment and appliance replacements or repairs must be performed in an emergency, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day of the City of Hoover Building Inspection Department.
Permits are not required for:
- Portable heating appliances.
- Portable ventilation appliances and equipment.
- Portable cooling units.
- Steam, hot water or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment or appliances regulated by this code.
- The replacement of any minor part that does not alter the approval of equipment or an appliance or make such equipment unsafe.
- Portable evaporative coolers.
- Self-contained refrigeration systems that contain 10 pounds or less of refrigerant, or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.
- Portable fuel cell appliances that are not interconnected to a power grid.
Gas Permits
A gas permit is required when a contractor who desires to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace a mechanical system, the installation of which is regulated by the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, or to cause such work to be performed, shall first make application to the City of Hoover Building Inspection Department, and obtain the required permit for work.
Exception: Where equipment and appliance replacements or repairs must be performed in an emergency, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day of the City of Hoover Building Inspection Department.
Permits are not required for:
- Portable heating appliances.
- Replacement of any minor component of an appliance or equipment that does not alter approval of such appliance or equipment or make such appliance or equipment unsafe.
Spire Energy (formerly Alabama Gas Corporation) will not set a gas meter without a release from the Hoover Inspection Services Department.
Permit Prerequisites
Prerequisites for obtaining a Mechanical and Gas Permit are as follows:
- A building permit, if applicable
- A description of work to be performed
- Address or location that the work will be performed
- Evidence that the contractor performing the work has a current Master Gas Fitter Card from the Alabama Plumber & Gas Fitters Board or has a State of Alabama HVAC card, whichever is applicable. Call our office for a list of reciprocating states.
- The contractor performing the work must have an active City of Hoover business license.
Fees & Inspections
Permit fees are calculated based on the work to be performed. A fee schedule is provided on the application form. The minimum permit fee is $50.00.** Blank permit applications can be provided to applicants by calling 205-444-7522. Completed permit applications must, however, be submitted for processing by mail or in person and must be accompanied by fee payment.
**A fee of $1.00 per $1,000 of authorized construction cost is collected, as required by the State of Alabama, to be used to fund the Construction Industry Craft Training (CICT) Program, for commercial gas/mechanical permits.
A property owner is allowed to obtain a mechanical permit for work performed on property they own. All work must be done by the property owner that obtained mechanical or plumbing permit.
Inspections, by this department, are required on all work performed.