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Building a New Construction Home in Orange Beach? Here's What You Need to Know

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

If you're considering building a new home in Orange Beach, Alabama—whether it’s your forever home, a vacation retreat, or a smart investment—it's essential to understand the steps and requirements before you break ground. As a real estate advisor with over 20 years of experience in luxury home sales and new construction, I help buyers navigate the entire process—from securing the perfect lot to working with builders and understanding local permitting procedures.

Below, I’ve outlined everything you need to know about the required permits and documentation, based on the latest checklist provided by the City of Orange Beach Building Department. This process is vital to ensuring your new construction is compliant, timely, and smoothly executed.

✅ Step One: Apply for the Required Permits

Before any work begins, three main permits must be submitted through the Orange Beach Permit Portal:

1. Building Permit

2. Site Permit – includes stormwater, tree removal, and driveway permits

3. Roofing Permit (if roofing will be subcontracted separately from the builder)

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$789,000

4847 Boat Street, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,731 SqFt Residential MLS® # 384214

RE/MAX of Orange Beach PHONE: 251-786-4915

$789,000

4849 Boat Street, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,731 SqFt Residential MLS® # 384212

RE/MAX of Orange Beach PHONE: 251-786-4915

$787,500

27006 Canal Road Unit B 203, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,540 SqFt Residential MLS® # 344768

RE/MAX Paradise

$787,500

27006 Canal Road Unit B 206, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,540 SqFt Residential MLS® # 344772

RE/MAX Paradise

$787,500

27006 Canal Road Unit B 106, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,540 SqFt Residential MLS® # 344766

RE/MAX Paradise

$787,500

27006 Canal Road Unit B 102, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,540 SqFt Residential MLS® # 344765

RE/MAX Paradise

$787,500

27006 Canal Road Unit B 204, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,540 SqFt Residential MLS® # 344769

RE/MAX Paradise

$787,500

27006 Canal Road Unit B 205, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,540 SqFt Residential MLS® # 344771

RE/MAX Paradise

$785,000

↓ $14,000

5126 Pine Road, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,969 SqFt Residential MLS® # 381451

Realty Executives Gulf Coast PHONE: 251-747-1638

$769,000

5330 Wolfhead Avenue, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,200 SqFt Residential MLS® # 385450

Goode Realty, LLC

$739,900

Bayou St John Avenue, Orange Beach

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,500 SqFt Residential MLS® # 379359

Keller Williams AGC Realty - Orange Beach PHONE: 251-923-8390

Special Conditions for Coastal Properties

If your property is within the Coastal Zone or a Flood Zone VE/AE, you may also need:

• V-Zone Certificate

• Coastal AE Certificate

• U.S. Army Corps Permit (if wetlands are present)

• Home Builder Licensure Exemption Affidavit (if you’re acting as your own builder)

• Impact Fees Form – based on the market value of the proposed improvements

These coastal-specific requirements are especially important in our area. I’ve helped dozens of clients navigate these steps on Ono Island and throughout Orange Beach, ensuring everything from drainage to FEMA regulations is taken into account.

Permits for Subcontractors After the Main Approval

Once your main permits are issued, your subcontractors will then obtain the following:

• Roofing Permit (if not already acquired)

• Electrical Permit

• Mechanical Permit

• Plumbing Permit

• Gas Permit (if applicable)

Each structure—even pools, docks, and accessory buildings—will require its own permit.

Let Me Help You Through the Process

I love helping clients bring their dream homes to life along the Gulf Coast. Whether you're just beginning to explore new construction in Orange Beach or you’ve already selected a lot and are ready to start building, I can walk you through each step, connect you with architects, builders, and inspectors, and ensure you're confident and compliant from start to finish.

You can explore current new construction listings in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores on my website, and contact me directly if you’d like personalized guidance.

Meredith Amon is a Gulf Coast Expert Real Estate Advisor, licensed in Alabama and Florida. She specializes in helping buyers and sellers navigate the buying and selling of homes along the Gulf Coast.
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