How to Start A Business in Downtown Opelika
Business License
The Business License Application is used to apply for sales or services done inside the city limits of Opelika. Please be advised that licenses are location specific. This application can be used to register only for a City of Opelika business license and an occupational license account. If applicable, businesses must register for sales, rental taxes and lodging taxes with Avenu Insights and Analytics.
For business license(s) to be approved for locations(s) inside the city limits of Opelika, a workflow is put in place for departments to approve. Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to assure that each department has a good contact phone number and email for contact if questions or inspections are required. If for any reason the business fails an inspection(s), the owner must contact the appropriate department when the issues have been corrected.
Planning Department 334-705-5167
Public Works 334-705-5400
Building Inspection 334-705-5420
Fire Inspection 334-705-5305
Note that certain businesses are required to provide additional permits and licenses. Registration for business license using this application will not be complete until full approval and the receipt of all business license fees at City of Opelika Revenue Department.
A standard business license expires at the end of a calendar year and must be renewed by February 15th of the upcoming year. If contact by writing, email or fax has not been made by this date to the revenue department to inactivate or renew, penalty and interest accrues monthly. Also, it is important that you notify the City of Opelika Department of Revenue if:
The business ownership changes in any manner including:
selling or closing of the business,
adding or changing partners,
any transfer or change in the ownership of the business,
any change in corporate structure requiring a new charter or certificate of authority; or
the business location changes, or there is a change to your business classification.
(from the City of Opelika website)
Commercial Permitting Process
The Owner / Developer / Architect submits two (2) complete sets of plans and a PDF to include: site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, electrical, plumbing, mechanical plans and Comcheck. Sprinkler plans will also need to be submitted, if it applies.
Site plans are to the Planning Department. A Fire Inspector will also be notified to review the plans for Fire Codes.
Each Department will review the plans. Approvals will be submitted to the Building Inspection Department.
If there are any corrections to be made, the Architect will be notified by an Inspector to make changes and re-submit plans for review.
Procedure for Commercial Permit
The permit application check list must be completed.
The Owner / Developer will be asked to submit complete contract costs. NOTE: If the contract cost exceeds $250,000.00, there will be a plan review fee collected.
Permit fees are collected and the Permit is issued. NOTE: Sewer assessment fees must be paid before a permit will be issued.
Permit jobsite poster must be posted at the jobsite for inspections.
The Contractors' signatures are required in receipt of all paperwork.
The Contractor and Subcontractors will receive a copy of their permit.
Inspection Requests
The Owner / Contractor is responsible for calling for their inspections requests.
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors must call for their own inspections.
The Owner / Contractor can email or call for an inspection. The inspection request is generated and given to the proper inspector.
The Inspector will go to the job site. If inspection does not pass, the inspector will issue a red tag with a list of the problems that need correcting. If there is a red tag issued, the inspector will retain the request until the Owner / Contractor calls for re-inspection.
NOTE: If the inspector has to leave a red tag for the same inspection more than once, there will be a re-inspection fee of $25 is collected before any further inspections are performed. After a third red tag, the inspection fees is $100.If there is a green tag issued, the inspector will sign off on the ticket. The ticket will be signed and dated by the inspector.
Request for Certificate of Occupancy
The Owner / Contractor must call for final inspection.
Upon approval of the final inspection, the inspector will request that a certificate of occupancy be written.
If the final inspection does not pass, the Owner / Contractor will be notified of the necessary corrections required, to receive the Certificate of Occupancy.
Upon approval, the Certificate of Occupancy will be written, and the Owner / Contractor can pick it up at the Building Inspection Department at the Public Works Facilities located at 700 Fox Trail.
Request for Letter of Completion
A Letter of Completion is provided when a renovation and/or addition is permitted, and ALL inspections have been made and the renovation is in compliance with 2015 International Building Code.
(from the City of Opelika website)
Residential Permitting Process
Application Procedures for Residential Building Permits
The Owner / Developer shall submit one complete set of plans to include: foundation, floor plan, electrical, plumbing, mechanical drawings and Rescheck.
The permit request is then generated in our computer program to the appropriate departments for approval.
Plans will be reviewed by the Building Inspector for approval.
The Owner / Contractor is responsible for all sewer, water and power application.
The Owner Contractor is responsible for construction power during construction.
If structure is on a septic tank, the owner / contractor is responsible for giving Building Inspections a copy of the septic tank certificate issued by the Health Department.
Residential Permitting Procedure
All house plan need to reflect heated square feet, covered porches and garages square feet. Permit fees are based on this information.
The Owner / Contractor shall submit contract costs, excluding property.
Approval time is 3-4 business days.
Once all departments approve, the permit fees are collected.
Permit is written. NOTE: Sewer assessment fees must be paid before a permit will be issued.
The permit job site poster is filled out and required to be posted at the jobsite. No inspections will be done if poster is not posted.
Inspection Requests
The Owner / Contractor is responsible for calling for all inspection. Inspection requests can also be emailed.
Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors must call for their own permits.
When the Owner / Contractor calls for an inspection, an inspection request is generated and given to the proper inspector.
Inspectors go to the job. If inspection does not pass, the inspector will leave a red tag with the problems to be corrected. If the inspection passes, a green tag will be issued.
If there is a red tag issued, the inspector will retain the request until the Owner / Contractor calls for re-inspection.
NOTE: If the inspector has to leave a red tag for the same inspection more than once, there will be a re-inspection fee of $25 collected before any further inspections are performed. After a third red tag, the inspection fees is $100.If there is a green tag issued, the inspector will sign off on the ticket. The ticket will be signed and dated by the inspector, and posted in the office for further reference.
Request for Certificate of Occupancy
The Owner / Contractor must call for final inspection. Upon approval of the final inspection, the inspector will request that a certificate of occupancy be written.
If the final inspection does not pass, the Owner / Contractor will be notified of the necessary corrections required, to receive the Certificate of Occupancy.
Upon approval, the Certificate of Occupancy will be written and the Owner / Contractor can pick it up at the Building Inspection Department at the Public Works Facilities located at 700 Fox Trail.
Request for Letter of Completion
A Letter of Completion is provided when a renovation and/or addition is permitted, and ALL inspections have been made and the renovation is in compliance with 2015 International Building Code.
(from the City of Opelika website)
Historic Preservation Rules
Opelika is a unique city and contains buildings from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. Most of the downtown area is considered a Historic District.
The Historic Preservation Commission in the city of Opelika is responsible for issuing appropriate certificates and ensuring Opelika’s historic sites are preserved.
If you have property in a Historic District, it is important to obtain the necessary building permits if you would like to update or make any changes to the property.