Alabama: Restaurant Regulations
Baseline checklist for common requirements. Verify locally (rules vary by AHJ).
Quick takeaway: Most restaurant compliance falls into five buckets: health permits, fire/hood, plumbing/grease, building/occupancy, and zoning. Local authorities can add requirements beyond state minimums.
Typical checklist
| Area | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Health | Food establishment permit, plan review (if required), Person-in-Charge/food safety certification, inspection schedule. |
| Fire | Type I hood (as applicable), fire suppression system (e.g., wet chemical), extinguisher class requirements, fire inspection and permits. |
| Plumbing | Grease interceptor/trap sizing and location, floor drains/mop sink, backflow prevention, wastewater/sewer authority requirements. |
| Building | Certificate of occupancy, change of use, occupant load, ADA accessibility basics, restroom counts. |
| Zoning | Permitted use for the address, parking, signage permits, outdoor seating rules, noise/vent termination limits. |
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Major metro variations
Birmingham and Mobile may have additional plan review, grease management, and fire prevention requirements beyond statewide baselines. Verify with your local county health department and fire authority.
Scenario pages
- Hoods & ventilation
- Fire suppression systems
- Grease traps & interceptors
- Health permits & inspections
- Zoning, occupancy & change of use
- Opening checklist
Sources to verify
- State health department (food establishment permitting)
- Local/county health department (plan review + inspections)
- Local fire marshal / fire prevention bureau
- City/county building department (CO, permits)
- Zoning/planning office (allowed use for address)
- Wastewater/sewer authority (grease interceptor rules)
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Last reviewed: 2025