One of the first practical questions after a high radon test is whether the fix needs a permit, and who's responsible for getting it. Around Huntsville the answer depends on which jurisdiction your address is in, because the City of Huntsville, the City of Madison and Madison County each run their own permit office. This page summarizes the published rules as of October 2026. Rules change, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with your installer and the permit office. We're a free referral service, not a contractor or a code official.
What part of a radon job is regulated?
A typical active radon system includes a suction point through the slab or under a crawl space membrane, PVC pipe, an in-line fan in the attic or outside, a manometer and sealing. In most jurisdictions, the piece that triggers a permit is the electrical connection for the fan. A fan plugged into an existing, approved outdoor-rated outlet may involve no new wiring. A new circuit, a hard-wired disconnect or a new exterior outlet is electrical work. Roof penetrations, and pipe routed through fire-rated assemblies such as the wall between a garage and the house, can raise building-code questions too. A professional installer should know the local requirements and handle the paperwork.
City of Huntsville
- Who pulls trade permits: the City of Huntsville says plumbing, electrical, gas and mechanical work has to be permitted by the appropriate contractor. Most trade permits can be obtained online.
- Building permit fees: for permits other than new single-family homes, Huntsville calculates the fee as the total contract price times 0.0055. On a $1,500 job, that's about $8.25 before any trade permit fees.
- Homeowners doing their own work: Huntsville's code lets homeowners do building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work on their own residence for their own family's use. It doesn't exempt them from permits, fees or inspections.
- Flood zones: if the property is in a FEMA special flood hazard area, the city requires a flood development permit before other permits, and the application has to be made in person. The city's GIS maps show flood zones.
City of Madison
- Electrical permit: issued by the City of Madison Building Department. The application must include a contract or invoice signed by the customer, showing the contract price and scope of work.
- Fee for minor electrical work: 1% of the total contract price, with a $25 minimum. Residential permits add a $20 North Alabama Home Builders Association fee.
- Inspections: electrical inspections have to be scheduled 24 hours in advance.
Unincorporated Madison County
Harvest, Toney, Meridianville, Hazel Green, New Market, Big Cove and other unincorporated communities fall under the Madison County Building and Fire Inspection Department. The county says a permit is required before any work involving construction, alteration or repair of a structure, and its list specifically includes electrical work, disconnections and modifications. Permits and inspections are handled online through the county's CityView portal. Some work is exempt under a county resolution, and the county asks anyone who isn't sure to contact the department before starting.
Other towns
Owens Cross Roads, Gurley, Triana and New Hope are incorporated towns, and Athens and the Limestone County parts of Huntsville and Madison have their own rules. If your address isn't clearly inside Huntsville or Madison city limits, ask your installer to confirm the jurisdiction.
Licensing: what Alabama requires
No state radon license
Alabama has no law licensing radon testers or mitigators. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) points residents to the two national certification programs, the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) and the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB). Certification means the person passed an exam, follows published standards and keeps up with continuing education. You can check a provider's status on each program's website.
Home builder license threshold
The Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board requires a license for residential repair or improvement work when the cost exceeds $10,000 ($2,500 for residential roofing). Most radon systems cost well under $10,000, so a standard install usually doesn't trigger the HBLB license. That's another reason national radon certification is the main credential to look for.
Electrical work
Electrical work is a licensed trade. If your fan needs a new circuit, the electrical part should be done by someone licensed for it and permitted where required. Many radon companies work with an electrician for this.
Questions to ask your installer
- Which permit office covers my address, and which permits will you pull?
- Is the permit fee included in your quote?
- Who does the electrical connection, and are they licensed?
- Will an inspection be needed, and do I need to be home for it?
- Are you NRPP or NRSB certified, and can I see your certification number?
- Does my HOA need to approve the pipe route before you start?
Why permits matter at resale
Radon systems come up in Huntsville-area home inspections all the time. A buyer's inspector will look at the fan, the manometer and the vent location. A permitted, labeled system with a post-mitigation test on file is easier to explain to a buyer than a fan someone wired themselves. Keep your permit, the installer's paperwork and your test results together. See our real estate guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to install a radon mitigation system in Huntsville?
Often, for the electrical part. The City of Huntsville requires electrical, plumbing and mechanical work to be permitted by the appropriate contractor. Whether your job needs one depends on the wiring, so ask your installer.
How much is a radon permit in Huntsville?
Huntsville calculates building permit fees for most work as the contract price times 0.0055, about $8.25 on a $1,500 job. Trade permits are separate. In the City of Madison, minor electrical work is 1% of the contract price, minimum $25, plus a $20 residential fee.
Does Alabama license radon mitigators?
No. Alabama has no state radon license. Ask for NRPP or NRSB certification, the national programs ADPH points residents to.
Can I install my own radon fan in Huntsville?
Huntsville's code lets homeowners do their own building and electrical work on their own residence, but they still need permits, fees and inspections. Most people hire a certified mitigator for the design and the post-mitigation test.
Does a radon contractor need a home builder license in Alabama?
The Home Builders Licensure Board license applies to residential improvement jobs over $10,000. Most radon systems cost well under that, so national radon certification is the more relevant credential.
Sources
- City of Huntsville: Building License & Permits
- City of Huntsville: Permit Costs
- Huntsville Code of Ordinances, Ch. 7, Art. III (Contractors)
- City of Madison: Permitting
- City of Madison: Electrical Permit application (fee schedule)
- Madison County, AL: Building and Fire Inspection
- Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board: Licensure Law (Code of Ala. 34-14A-2)
- Alabama Department of Public Health: Radon in Alabama
- National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP)
- National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)
- EPA: Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction