Inside Huntsville

Most of the city's neighborhoods, from Five Points and Blossomwood near downtown to Jones Valley and South Huntsville, share the same rules: driveway approaches, curbs and street sidewalks need the City's Driveway Curb Cut Permit from Traffic Engineering. If your home is in one of Huntsville's historic districts, new drives and patios also need Historic Preservation Commission approval first. See the permits guide.

Hampton Cove

Hampton Cove is inside the City of Huntsville, though its mail goes through the Owens Cross Roads post office, ZIP 35763. All changes to the exterior of a home there go to the Hampton Cove Architectural Review Committee, and the covenants allow up to 45 days for a decision, so apply before you book a pour.

Madison

Madison is its own city, with its own permits. Its building permit questions page (FAQ) lists driveways, parking pads, sidewalks, grade-level patios and sheds of 200 square feet or less as needing no building permit; driveway openings onto the street are permitted separately.

Harvest, Meridianville, Hazel Green and New Market

The U.S. Census Bureau lists these as census-designated places: communities that are not cities. Homes outside city limits follow Madison County's building rules, but a Harvest or Meridianville mailing address can still sit inside Huntsville or Madison, because city limits follow parcels.

Owens Cross Roads

Owens Cross Roads is a city in its own right, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, so check its own rules for work at the street. Gurley is its own town and farther away. Call to ask whether the company works there.

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