Frequently Asked Questions

• Alabama college, university photo ID technical or professional school photo ID
• Alabama hunting or fishing license
• Alabama pistol / revolver permit
• Birth certificate
• Court record of adoption
• Court record of name change
• Employee photo ID
• Government document that shows the name and address of the voter
• Government-issued photo ID
• Naturalization document
• Social Security card
• US passport
• Utility bill, bank statement, government paycheck, or paycheck with voter's name and address
• Valid electronic benefits transfer card
• Valid ID card (authorized by law) issued by the State of or by any of the other 49 states or issued by the US government
• Valid Medicaid or Medicare card
• Valid pilot's license
• Valid US military ID

• Online (minor traffic citations only)
• By Money Order - mail to Municipal Court, P.O. Box 299, Gulf Shores, AL 36547-0299.
• In person - Gulf Shores Municipal Court Office or in court

Call Justin Clopton, code enforcement officer, at 251-968-1148.

• Any tree on a vacant single family or duplex residential zoned property, greater than one acre, with a DBH of at least 18 inches. View the Tree Protection Ordinance
• On commercial, multi-family and industrial zoned property any tree that has a DBH of at least 10 inches or is a live oak, sand live oak, or sand pine

A property’s zoning can be determined by viewing the Zoning Map, by contacting the Planning Department at 251-968-1164, by emailing Mell Davis, or by visiting the Planning Department office at 205 Clubhouse Drive, Suite B, Gulf Shores.

A request for written zoning confirmation shall be made in writing or via email and can be provided for a $75 fee.

• Table 7-1B and Table 7-1C for Residential zoned property
• Table 7-2B for Recreational Vehicle and Manufacture Home Parks
• Table 8-2B Neighborhood Business zoned property
• Table 8-3B and Table 8-5 C General Business zoned property
• Table 8-4B Business Arterial zoned property
• Table 8-5B and Table 8-5C Tourist Business (1-5) zoned property
• Table 9-1B Agricultural zoned property
• Table 9-3C2 and Table 9-3D2 ICW-North and South zoned property
• Table 9-3B Amusement Theme Park zoned property Table 9-4B Open Space zoned property
• Table 9-5B Industrial zoned property

Multifamily construction permits are based on $10 / 1000 of the valuation. Commercial construction permits are based on $5 / $1000 of the valuation. Residential construction permits are based on $4 / $1000 of the valuation. Impact fees are calculated separately. Contact the Building Department at 251-968-1142 for more information.

To find out what documentation is needed to get a building permit, please view the Building Permit Checklist.

For all beach fronting properties, the City must run an advertisement in the local paper with a 30-day comment period once the plans have been submitted for review. The cost of this ad is $1,100.00 for Residential and $14,000.00 for Commercial/Multifamily. 

We currently enforce the 2021 International Codes and the 2020 NEC with a minimum wind speed requirement of 160 mph.

Before the City of Gulf Shores can issue a building permit to, you must first obtain permission from The Corps of Engineers at 251-690-2511 and the Alabama State Lands Division 251-621-1216.

You will also need to fill out the Pier/Bulkhead Permit Application.

The City of Gulf Shores maintains elevation certificates for structures built from 1998 to the present. If your structure was built before 2011, please call Emily Tidwell at 251-968-1126. If it was completed after 2011 you may contact Tamatha Norman at 251-968-1142.

The Gulf Shores Police Department has partnered with Carfax to bring you 24/7 accident reports, available at crashdocs.org. The cost of a report is $5 and there are no hidden fees. You can pay with a credit or debit card. Please allow 3-5 business days from the date of the accident for your report to be available. If you have any questions please contact our Records Clerk, Joanna Casallo at 251-968-2532.

Police reports are available at the Gulf Shores Police Department between 8–11 a.m. and 1–5 p.m., Monday–Friday, with the exception of holidays. 

All reports cost $5. Cash, credit and personal checks are accepted.

The police report will only include the front page due to privacy laws.

If you reside or work in the City of Gulf Shores you must register with the Gulf Shores Police Department. You can come to the Police Department Lobby and ask to speak to Detective Jared Murphy to get registered.

Mark Sealy is our Fire Chief. Chief Sealy has over 29 years of experience in all fire service aspects, including Driver on both suppression and medic units, Captain on both engine and ladder companies, and as a District Chief in operations and training.  In his role as Gulf Shores Fire Chief, Sealy oversees the entire Gulf Shores Fire Rescue department. This includes managing all five fire rescue stations’ operations and functionality, which provide first responder services to all residents and visitors in Gulf Shores.  

We love to have visitors and show them around. Please call 251-968-4213 to schedule a class visit to one of our fire stations.

Anyone interested in doing business with the City of Gulf Shores must complete and return the Vendor Application Pack and a W-9 form.

The City of Gulf Shores provides recycling receptacles behind the Public Works Shop located at:
160 W. 36^th Ave
Gulf Shores, AL 36542

The City of Gulf issues two passes to all residents and property owners within the city limits of Gulf Shores, AL. In the event of an emergency where areas of Gulf Shores are evacuated, these passes serve to identify those who should be allowed into restricted area(s) at the appropriate time.

These passes also serve as a parking pass at all paid public parking areas.

Every two years, each Gulf Shores resident / property owner should receive two passes during the month of February. These passes are mailed to the billing address on record with Baldwin EMC at no cost to the resident / property owner.

Passes are also available for pick up year round at the following locations: 

City Hall
1905 West 1st Street, Gulf Shores, AL
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Gulf Shores City Store
1821 AL-59, Gulf Shores, AL  (Corner of Hwy. 59 and Clubhouse Drive)
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

View the Emergency Districts Map.

Passes must be PERMANENTLY affixed to the inside of the windshield on the driver's side of the vehicle. 

Vehicles parked in the Resident Only Parking area without a pass directly affixed to the windshield will be subject to a ticket and/or towed. This includes vehicles with passes laying on the dashboard and those with expired passes. 

Each home in the corporate limits of Gulf Shores is located within an evacuation district. 

As a rule, weddings are not allowed on the Gulf Shores public beaches. If you are renting a private beach house or condominium, and have the permission of the owners to conduct a wedding, no permits are required from the City. You do need to make your guests aware, however, that they cannot park on the road rights-of-way. No chairs, gazebos, arches, etc. are allowed to be placed on the public beaches. Gulf State Park, located in Gulf Shores, has a pavilion that is perfect for family and group outings, reunions, beach parties and sunset weddings. Rental is available 7 days a week, except major holiday weekends during the summer. For more information on pavilion rentals or to having a wedding on Gulf State Park beaches (permit required), call 251-968-7296 or 968-7245 Wednesday - Sunday. Contact the City Clerk's office at 251-968-1124 for more information from the City of Gulf Shores.

No. The Bodenhamer Recreation Center offers daily rates along with monthly membership options to suit all guests.

The David L. Bodenhamer Recreation Center offers a variety of memberships available for singles, families, and seniors. Whether you are looking for family fun for a day or a year, our membership options have your covered.

The Bodenhamer Recreation Center and Studio Fit at the Cultural Center offers a variety of floor fitness and water aerobics classes six days a week. Browse our entire schedule of available classes.

The City of Gulf Shores offers many senior activities throughout the year, including a variety of trips, classes, and events. For specific questions regarding senior events, contact our senior programs at 251-968-9818 or visit our page for more information.

Official Gulf Shores merchandise is available online at www.gulfshoresgear.com or at our official City Store, Bodenhamer Center and Tennis Center during regular business hours.

The Bodenhamer Recreation Center indoor pool is open for general swimming and lap swimming Monday - Sunday. View our pool schedule for available hours. Note: Times are subject to change.

The City of Gulf Shores has a wonderful dog park located at 308 Clubhouse Drive. For directions, hours, and a complete list of amenities, view the dog park page.

As a rule, weddings are not allowed on the Gulf Shores public beaches. If you are renting a private beach house or condominium, and have the permission of the owners to conduct a wedding, no permits are required from the City. You do need to make your guests aware, however, that they cannot park on the road rights-of-way. No chairs, gazebos, arches, etc. are allowed to be placed on the public beaches. Gulf State Park, located in Gulf Shores, has a pavilion that is perfect for family and group outings, reunions, beach parties and sunset weddings. Rental is available 7 days a week, except major holiday weekends during the summer. For more information on pavilion rentals or to having a wedding on Gulf State Park beaches (permit required), call 251-968-7296 or 968-7245 Wednesday - Sunday. Contact the City Clerk's office at 251-968-1124 for more information from the City of Gulf Shores.

PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED on any of the sand beaches in Gulf Shores, or at any of the Gulf Shores Public Beach areas, including Gulf Place. The Gulf Shores Dog Park offers a perfect location to enjoy the outdoors with your four-legged friend.

A Protected Tree is a tree that has a diameter of at least twelve inches or is a live oak or sand live oak with a diameter of at least six inches.  

A Heritage Tree is a healthy, Protected Tree and has a root system with a diameter at breast height equal to or greater than 30 inches or a live oak tree with a diameter at breast height equal to or greater than twenty-four inches.   

An application for a Tree Removal Permit and a Tree Protection Plan must be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department.  

A Tree Removal Permit is required when a property owner wishes to remove a Protected Tree.

The application fee is $25. Upon approval of the permit, a $250 fee is required.

A Tree Protection Plan identifies preservation methods for Protected Trees and provides a Tree Replacement and Remediation Plan for Protected Trees that are requested to be removed. A Tree Protection Plan must be submitted in order to be granted a Tree Removal Permit.  

When not specifically exempted from tree replacement and remediation, each Protected Tree that is permitted for removal must be replaced with a new tree or trees having a total tree diameter equivalent to that of the diameter of the tree or trees removed.  Replacement trees must be a minimum of three inches in diameter and twelve feet in height at the time of planting.  

With a Tree Removal Permit, protected trees may be removed within ten feet of the footprint of the principal residential structures, or within the immediate footprint of site improvements (including but not limited to the garage, carport, driveway, and swimming pool) without replacement or remediation.

When a heritage tree is present on the lot, this exemption is limited to the footprint of the principal building, not accessory structures, unless protection of the heritage tree denies or precludes reasonable use of the property.

City of Gulf Shores residents have the opportunity to vote in both County and City elections. In addition, residents are eligible to run for elected office and serve on City Boards and Commissions. 

One of the most desirable benefits to Gulf Shores residency is the increased level of police protection provided to our residents. With over 70 full-time employees, Gulf Shores Police Department delivers effective and efficient police services. 

In addition to everyday protection services, residents can also participate in the City's emergency management process, rather than the county's, which includes disaster recovery efforts. 

City of Gulf Shores residents have access to enhanced emergency services provided by a full-time fire rescue department made up of over 60 employees located at four manned stations. Services include fire rescue, beach rescue, and paramedics. 

The Gulf Shores Fire Rescue Department has maintained an ISO Public Protection Classification grade of 1. This classification is the highest rating from ISO, whose primary goal is to rate fire prevention within a city. Less than 1% of communities throughout the United States and only a handful throughout the state of Alabama have achieved this top rating. This rating leads to a significant reduction in home insurance costs for Gulf Shores residents.

The City of Gulf Shores provides a complimentary air and ground ambulance service membership through AirMedCare Network for all permanent residents of Gulf Shores. The cost of any Gulf Shores resident transported via ground or air by any AirMedCare Network provider, including Medstar Ambulance and Medstar AirCare, from a pickup location in Baldwin County is covered under this membership. In the event a Gulf Shores resident is transported by an AirMedCare Network provider, payment for the transport over and above the patient's insurance benefit limit will be covered with no additional out-of-pocket expense. If the patient transported is uninsured at the time of the transport, the provider will bill the covered person at the Medicare Allowable Rate for the transport.

Residents may elect to obtain a full AirMedCare Network emergency air household membership by completing an application and paying an additional $45 per household ($35 per household for seniors). Full membership has no insurance or pickup location restrictions. This will provide coverage for all AirMedCare Network air ambulance transports across a 38 state coverage area. In addition, residents without medical insurance can upgrade to a full ground membership for $35 a year which will eliminate the uninsured exception above. Click here to learn more.

All Gulf Shores residents have the ability to enroll their children in the Gulf Shores City School system. The Gulf Shores City School System sets high expectations for students to reach their full potential. The curriculum incorporates traditional and innovative instructional strategies based on the latest research, best practices, and Gulf Shores City School's Strategic Plan. This plan calls for incorporating 21st-century learning skills into our academic and co-curricular programs, providing coordinated networks of support for PreK-12 learners, fostering students' social-emotional development, and building a professional culture of learning for faculty and staff. Learn more by visiting www.gsboe.org.

The City of Gulf Shores contracts with Republic Services to provide weekly residential garbage and recycling services for standard household garbage. Click here to learn more.

The City of Gulf Shores provides weekly residential debris services. Items that will be picked up include yard debris, cardboard boxes, old furniture, and white goods.

• View the residential debris pickup route map

• View Resolution No. 4594-08 regarding residential debris pickup

For additional information, contact the Public Works Department at 251-968-1156

The City of Gulf issues two Hurricane/Beach Parking Passes to all resident households and property owners within the city limits of Gulf Shores, AL. In the event of an emergency where areas of Gulf Shores are evacuated, these passes serve to identify those who should be allowed into a restricted area(s) at the appropriate time. 

These passes are good for two years and also serve as a parking pass at all paid public parking areas that the City of Gulf Shores manages. Click here to learn more.

The City's Planning and Zoning Department enforces a zoning ordinance designed to protect and promote the public health, safety, convenience, morals, and welfare of our citizens. Land uses are directed to guide future growth and development in accordance with plans set forth by our Mayor and City Council, and lot provisions help protect the character and density of our community. 

The Building Department conducts safety inspections and issues permits for all construction including new, additions, repairs, and alterations, to help ensure structures are built to the adopted building codes.

Gulf Shores residents receive a significant discount on all recreation memberships. These memberships include access to a large variety of fitness programs and classes suited to fit your specific wellness needs. Click here to learn more.   

Residents are provided with a significant discount when renting City facilities. These facility are available for a variety of activities including meetings, banquets, receptions, fundraisers, and more. Click here to see a list of facilities and rates. 

No- Debris pickup takes place weekly on your scheduled route day (please see debris map for route days). Please place all items out the night before your pickup, or morning of by 6:15 am.

Residential single-family homes only; businesses, condos, or hotels do not qualify.

Yard debris, cardboard boxes, old furniture, appliances, and more. No household trash please (i.e., no kitchen waste, pet waste, or medical waste).

Welcome! You can call Republic Services at 888-425-7667 to set up your new service for trash and recycle.

• Aluminum Cans
• Cardboard
• Newspaper, Magazines, & Office Paper
• Paper Products
• Plastic Jugs (rinsed)
• Tin Cans (rinsed)

*No items containing food residue, oil, aerosol, wax, or Styrofoam are allowed in residential curbside can

Drop off at your convenience. The center is open 24/7.

19901 W 36^th Ave., behind Mobile Lumber.

• Styrofoam
• Cardboard
• Plastic
• Plastic Bags
• Paper
• Aluminum Cans
• Household Batteries
• Glass Jars & Bottles
• Scrap Metal
• Tin Cans

During Special Recycling Days Only… The last 2 weeks of each quarter.

We do not pay cash for scrap metal; however, we are happy to recycle it for you. This does include appliances you need to get rid of.