Alabama Power Requires Shoreline Construction Permits
In 1992 Alabama Power began issuing permits for all shoreline structures for each property along its 3,500 miles of shorelines on 11 Alabama lakes. The permit tag number is registered to the current property owner.
Click here for the Complete Permitting Guidelines posted on the Alabama Power Shorelines website
Alabama Power maintains a file for each permit tag number that includes a fully executed shoreline permit, a sketch of all structures within Alabama Power’s permitting authority, a deed for the current owner, and a signed copy of the Guidelines for Shoreline Permitting. The permit tag number is usually posted on a boathouse or pier. If you do not have a permit tag, contact Alabama Power Company to apply for a shoreline permit for all existing structures at no cost.
Whenever a property is sold, the new owner should contact the Alabama Power Shoreline Management Team to obtain a shoreline permit in their name. There is no cost to the property owner and the permit tag number will remain the same for the property, but the file is updated with the new owner’s name.
Then, each time a property owner wishes to do any construction or maintenance to any structures along the shoreline, he/she must notify Alabama Power with details of the construction or maintenance plans and obtain a construction permit for those specific plans.
Construction and Maintenance projects must be completed within one year of the date of the approved permit.
Click here for the Complete Permitting Guidelines posted on the Alabama Power Shorelines website
Alabama Power maintains a file for each permit tag number that includes a fully executed shoreline permit, a sketch of all structures within Alabama Power’s permitting authority, a deed for the current owner, and a signed copy of the Guidelines for Shoreline Permitting. The permit tag number is usually posted on a boathouse or pier. If you do not have a permit tag, contact Alabama Power Company to apply for a shoreline permit for all existing structures at no cost.
Whenever a property is sold, the new owner should contact the Alabama Power Shoreline Management Team to obtain a shoreline permit in their name. There is no cost to the property owner and the permit tag number will remain the same for the property, but the file is updated with the new owner’s name.
Then, each time a property owner wishes to do any construction or maintenance to any structures along the shoreline, he/she must notify Alabama Power with details of the construction or maintenance plans and obtain a construction permit for those specific plans.
Construction and Maintenance projects must be completed within one year of the date of the approved permit.
General Guidelines:
1. Alabama Power encourages shoreline structure owners to maintain the upkeep of existing boathouses, docks and seawalls. Prior to beginning any maintenance, contact Alabama Power to obtain a no-fee permit for repairs.
2. Alabama Power also encourages shoreline structure owners to remove noncompliant structures and replace them with compliant structures, and upon doing so will be issued a no-fee permit (e.g. replace an enclosed boathouse with an open boathouse).
3. A permit to build any new shoreline structure will incur a one-time $250 fee (e.g. new boathouse, new dock or new seawall). More than one activity may be authorized with a single permit.
The Alabama Power Shoreline Management Team strives to protect and enhance the scenic, recreational and environmental values of the reservoirs it manages. As part of its mission, Alabama Power Shoreline Management is dedicated to ensuring all of the structures along Lake Mitchell’s shoreline comply with the shoreline management program developed by Alabama Power with the input of its local, state and federal regulatory partners.
Please call Alabama Power Shoreline Management Team Member Lee Townsend at 205-280-4476 to discuss your project/work and to obtain a permit prior to beginning any maintenance or construction.
1. Alabama Power encourages shoreline structure owners to maintain the upkeep of existing boathouses, docks and seawalls. Prior to beginning any maintenance, contact Alabama Power to obtain a no-fee permit for repairs.
2. Alabama Power also encourages shoreline structure owners to remove noncompliant structures and replace them with compliant structures, and upon doing so will be issued a no-fee permit (e.g. replace an enclosed boathouse with an open boathouse).
3. A permit to build any new shoreline structure will incur a one-time $250 fee (e.g. new boathouse, new dock or new seawall). More than one activity may be authorized with a single permit.
The Alabama Power Shoreline Management Team strives to protect and enhance the scenic, recreational and environmental values of the reservoirs it manages. As part of its mission, Alabama Power Shoreline Management is dedicated to ensuring all of the structures along Lake Mitchell’s shoreline comply with the shoreline management program developed by Alabama Power with the input of its local, state and federal regulatory partners.
Please call Alabama Power Shoreline Management Team Member Lee Townsend at 205-280-4476 to discuss your project/work and to obtain a permit prior to beginning any maintenance or construction.