Look through the list of Planning and Zoning Permits below to find the permit that most closely suits your needs. Once you have found the permit you need, you can click to find additional information necessary to complete the application. You can also visit our FAQ for answers to some initial questions you may have during the review process, and early stages of your project.
Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Land Development Forms
Site Plan
Provides a detailed site layout for commercial, industrial, and residential developments (3 units or more). Site plan approval is required prior to the submittal of a building permit.
Click here for more information...
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application.
- Contact Mell Davis at 251-968-1150 to schedule an Application Submittal Appointment. It is recommended to schedule before the submittal deadline, as appointment times may fill quickly.
- Submit completed Planning and Zoning Application with all Site Plan Checklist items at the Application Submittal Appointment. Appointments are held at the Planning and Zoning Department Conference Room.
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once your application is deemed complete, staff will process the submittal. Subsequent meeting dates will be provided throughout the review process.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- $300 - Application Fee
- Other applicable fees, such as advertising costs, as determined by the City of Gulf Shores.
Additional Information
Conditional Use Permit
A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required for certain land uses which may need special conditions to ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application.
- Contact Mell Davis at 251-968-1150 to schedule an Application Submittal Appointment. It is recommended to schedule before the submittal deadline, as appointment times may fill quickly.
- Submit completed Planning and Zoning Application with all requirements of the PUD Master Plan Checklist and Public Notification Checklist at the Application Submittal Appointment. Appointment are held at the Planning and Zoning Department Conference Room.
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once your application is deemed complete, staff will process the submittal. Subsequent meeting dates will be provided throughout the review process. Allow for a ninety day review process which includes a Planning Commission Hearing and concludes with a City Council Hearing.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- $300 - Application Fee
- Other applicable fees as determined by the City of Gulf Shores.
Additional Information
Minor Subdivision Permit
A subdivision containing six lots or less and does not require construction of streets, utilities, or other public improvements.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application.
- Contact Mell Davis at 251-968-1150 to schedule an Application Submittal Appointment. It is recommended to schedule before the submittal deadline, as appointment times may fill quickly.
- Submit completed Planning and Zoning Application with all requirements of the Minor Subdivision Checklist and Public Notification Checklist at the Application Submittal Appointment. Appointments are held at the Planning and Zoning Department Conference Room.
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once your application is deemed complete, staff will process the submittal. Subsequent meeting dates will be provided throughout the review process.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- $300 - Application Fee
- Other applicable fees, such as advertising costs, as determined by the City of Gulf Shores.
Additional Information
Major Subdivision Permit
A subdivision containing seven lots or more and/or requires the installation of new streets, utilities, or other public improvements.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application.
- Contact Mell Davis at 251-968-1150 to schedule an Application Submittal Appointment. It is recommended to schedule before the submittal deadline, as appointment times may fill quickly.
- Submit completed Planning and Zoning Application with all Preliminary Major/Final Major Subdivision Checklist and Public Notification Checklist materials at the Application Submittal Appointment. Appointments are held at the Planning and Zoning Department Conference Room.
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once your application is deemed complete, staff will process the submittal. Subsequent meeting dates will be provided throughout the review process
- When your Preliminary Major Subdivision Permit Application has been approved by the Planning Commission, you will be able to apply to begin construction of the subdivision.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees- $1,000 - Application Fee + $75 per lot in the subdivision (Preliminary Application)
- $300 - Application Fee (Final Application)
- Other applicable fees, such as advertising cost, as determined by the City of Gulf Shores.
Additional InformationLand Disturbance Permit
An activity involving the clearing, cutting, excavating, filling, or grading of land or any other activity that alters land topography or vegetative cover. A land disturbance permit is not required if a building permit has been issued.
Online Application Process
- For an easy, step-by-step permit application process visit our City of Gulf Shores Online Licensing and Permitting Portal.
- Find the Land Disturbance Permit in the Planning and Zoning section of the portal.
- Before beginning the application process, make sure you have all materials necessary from the Land Disturbance Permit Checklist.
- Fill out the online application and attach all required documents.
- Please allow for a ten day review process after completing the online application. You will be able to see the status of your permit at any time from your portal account home page.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application.
- Submit completed General Planning and Zoning Application with Land Disturbance Permit Checklist materials to the Planning and Zoning Department at:
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Please allow for a ten day review process once we have received your application. At the end of the review process, we will contact you with the resulting status of the permit application.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- $250 - Application Fee
- Other applicable fees as determined by the City of Gulf Shores.
Additional Information
Temporary Sales Trailer Permit
Apply to allow a temporary sales trailer to be placed on your property.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application.
- Contact Mell Davis at 251-968-1150 to schedule an Application Submittal Appointment. It is recommended to schedule before the submittal deadline, as appointment times may fill quickly.
- Submit completed Planning and Zoning Application and all requirements of the Temporary Sales Trailer Application Checklist at the Application Submittal Appointment. Appointment are held at the Planning and Zoning Department Conference Room.
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once your application is deemed complete, staff will process the submittal. Subsequent meeting dates will be provided throughout the review process.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
Zoning Forms
Rezoning Application
Change the zoning classification of a parcel.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application.
- Contact Mell Davis at 251-968-1150 to schedule an Application Submittal Appointment. It is recommended to schedule before the submittal deadline, as appointment times may fill quickly.
- Submit completed Planning and Zoning Application with all requirements of the Rezoning Checklist and Public Notification Checklist at the Application Submittal Appointment. Appointment are held at the Planning and Zoning Department Conference Room.
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once your application is deemed complete, staff will process the submittal. Subsequent meeting dates will be provided throughout the review process. Allow for a ninety day review process which includes a Planning Commission Hearing and concludes with a City Council Hearing.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- $1,000 - Application Fee
- Other applicable fees as determined by the City of Gulf Shores.
Additional Information
PUD Master Plan
A special zoning district which serves as an overlay to the base zoning district to encourage flexibility in design and development. PUDs allow for modifications to use and design requirements of the base zoning district. PUDs require the submittal and approval of a master development plan.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application.
- Contact Mell Davis at 251-968-1150 to schedule an Application Submittal Appointment. It is recommended to schedule before the submittal deadline, as appointment times may fill quickly.
- Submit completed Planning and Zoning Application with all requirements of the PUD Master Plan Checklist and Public Notification Checklist at the Application Submittal Appointment. Appointment are held at the Planning and Zoning Department Conference Room.
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once your application is deemed complete, staff will process the submittal. Subsequent meeting dates will be provided throughout the review process. Allow for a ninety day review process which includes a Planning Commission Hearing and concludes with a City Council Hearing.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- $1,500 - Application Fee
- Other applicable fees as determined by the City of Gulf Shores.
Additional Information
Variance Application
A variance is a relaxation of the area and dimensional requirements imposed on property.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application and Variance Checklist.
- Contact Mell Davis at 251-968-1150 to schedule an Application Submittal Appointment. It is recommended to schedule before the submittal deadline, as appointment times may fill quickly.
- Submit completed Planning and Zoning Application, Variance Checklist, and all Variance Checklist and Public Notification Checklist materials at the Application Submittal Appointment. Appointment are held at the Planning and Zoning Department Conference Room.
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once your application is deemed complete, staff will process the submittal. Subsequent meeting dates will be provided throughout the review process. Please allow for a thirty day review process which concludes with a Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearing that you are recommended to attend.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- $300 - Single Family/Duplex - Application Fee
- $500 - All Other Properties - Application Fee
- Other applicable fees, such as advertising cost, as determined by the City of Gulf Shores.
Additional Information
Zoning Verification Request
Determine the current zoning of a piece of property.
Online Application Process
- For an easy, step-by-step permit application process visit our City of Gulf Shores Online Licensing and Permitting Portal.
- Find the Zoning Verification Application in the Planning and Zoning section of the portal.
- Fill out the online application.
- Once you have submitted your application, please allow for a three day processing period. You will be able to see the status of your application at any time from your portal account home page.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the Zoning Verification Form.
- Submit the completed Zoning Verification Form to the Planning and Zoning Department at:
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
P.O. Box 299
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Please allow for a three day processing period once we have received your application.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
Additional Information
Sign Permit
Construct a new sign, replace the face of an old sign, or put up a temporary banner/sign/etc.
Online Application Process
- For an easy, step-by-step permit application process visit our City of Gulf Shores Online Licensing and Permitting Portal.
- Find the Sign Permit or Temporary Sign Permit in the Planning and Zoning section of the portal.
- Before beginning the application process, make sure you have all materials necessary from the Sign Permit Checklist.
- Fill out the online application and attach all required documents.
- Please allow for a three day review process after completing the online application. You will be able to see the status of your permit at any time from your portal account home page.
Physical Application Proces
- Fill out the Sign Permit Application or the Temporary Sign Permit Application.
- Fill out the Digital Sign Application if you are applying for a digital sign.
- Submit completed Sign Permit Application(s) with all checklist materials to:
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
P.O. Box 299
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Please allow for a three day review process once we have received your application. At the end of the review process, we will contact you with the resulting status of the permit application.
Documents and Materials Required
Optional Documents
Fees
- Sign Permitting:
$100 - Plan Check Fee
$50 - Electrical Sign Fee
$1 - Per square foot of sign in excess of 32 square feet - Temporary Sign Permitting:
$25 - Temporary Sign Permit Fee
Additional Information
An owner of property that is contiguous to the current boundary of the City of Gulf Shores may apply for annexation to become part of the City of Gulf Shores.
Online Application Process
- For an easy, step-by-step permit application process visit our City of Gulf Shores Online Licensing and Permitting Portal.
- Find the Annexation Application in the Planning and Zoning section of the portal.
- Before beginning the application process, make sure you have all materials necessary from the checklist at the bottom of the Annexation Application form.
- Fill out the online application and attach all required documents.
- Once we have received your application, please allow for a twenty day review process that concludes with a City Council hearing which you are recommended to attend. You will be able to see the status of your application at any time from your portal account home page.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the Annexation Application.
- Make sure all materials from the checklist in the lower section of the Annexation Application are in order.
- Submit completed Annexation Application with all checklist materials to:
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
P.O. Box 299
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once we have received your application, please allow for a twenty day review process that concludes with a City Council hearing which you are recommended to attend.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
Additional Information
Tree Removal Permit
A Tree Removal Permit is required for removal of any Heritage or Protected tree on a commercial, industrial, or residential property within the corporate limits of the City of Gulf Shores.
Online Application Process
- For an easy, step-by-step permit application process visit our City of Gulf Shores Online Licensing and Permitting Portal.
- Find the Tree Removal Permit in the Planning and Zoning section of the portal.
- Before beginning the application process, make sure you have all materials necessary as listed on the Tree Removal Application.
- Fill out the online application and attach all required documents.
- Once you have submitted your application, please allow for a five day processing period. You will be able to see the status of your application at any time from your portal account home page.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the Tree Removal Application.
- Submit completed Tree Removal Application with all submittal requirement materials to:
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
P.O. Box 299
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Please allow for a five day review process once we have received your application. At the end of the review process, we will contact you with the resulting status of the permit application.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- $25 - Permit Fee
- $250 - Tree Removal Fee
Additional Information
Street Vacation/Relocation Application
Vacate or relocate a public street.
Online Application Process
- For an easy, step-by-step permit application process visit our City of Gulf Shores Online Licensing and Permitting Portal.
- Find the Street Vacation/Relocation Permit in the Planning and Zoning section of the portal.
- Before beginning the application process, make sure you have all materials necessary from the Right-of-Way Relocation Checklist.
- Fill out the online application and attach all required documents.
- After completing the online application, please allow for a forty-five day review process that concludes with a City Council Hearing that you are recommended to attend. You will be able to see the status of your permit at any time from your portal account home page.
Physical Application Process
- Fill out the General Planning and Zoning Application.
- Submit the completed Planning and Zoning Application with all Street Vacation/Relocation Checklist and Public Notification Checklist materials to:
- City of Gulf Shores Planning and Zoning Department
205 Clubhouse Drive Suite B
P.O. Box 299
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Once we have received your application, please allow for a forty-five day review process that concludes with a City Council Hearing that you are recommended to attend.
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- $500 - Application Fee
- Other applicable fees, such as advertising cost, as determined by the City of Gulf Shores
Additional Information
Small Cell Wireless Facility Permits
Documents and Materials Required
Fees
- Existing pole - $500.00 (includes up to five (5) small wireless facilities)
- New Pole - $1,000.00
- Annual License fee for small cell facility in a public right-of-way- $270