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Shelter safety rules and permits in Huntsville
Not every "shelter" is built to the real standard. Here is how to tell.
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The 3 big standards
- ICC 500 is the building standard for storm shelters. It is part of building codes.
- FEMA P-361 is FEMA's guide for safe rooms. It adds extra rules on top of ICC 500.
- FEMA P-320 is FEMA's guide for home safe rooms. It includes building plans.
FEMA says home safe rooms should be designed for 250 mph winds, no matter where you live.
Watch out: FEMA says it does not verify or certify safe room makers. If someone says "FEMA certified," ask for the ICC 500 test report or engineer-sealed drawings.
Permits and licenses
- City of Huntsville: A building permit is needed if materials and labor cost more than $250, or if any structural work is done. The Inspection Department issues permits.
- Other towns and the county: Ask your city or county building office.
- Alabama builder license: Alabama's home builder law requires a license for residential work over $10,000. Ask the company for its license number and check it with the Home Builders Licensure Board.
Alabama tax credit: Alabama has an income tax credit for a qualified storm shelter at your main home. It is up to $3,000 or 50% of the cost, whichever is less. The Alabama EMA says shelters must be installed on or after January 1, 2026, meet FEMA P-320 (2021), FEMA P-361 (2021) and ICC 500 (2020), and you must apply in the same calendar year it was installed. The state total is capped each year. Check the official Alabama EMA page before you count on it.
Before anyone digs
The person digging should call 811 first so buried lines get marked.
After it is built: register it
Register your shelter so first responders can find you after a storm. The Huntsville-Madison County EMA says this info is shared with fire and rescue.
- City of Huntsville: Huntsville storm shelter registry
- City of Madison: Madison registration form
- Rest of Madison County: Madison County registration
- Limestone County: Limestone County EMA
Sources
- FEMA P-320: Taking Shelter from the Storm (2025)
- FEMA: Safe Room Publications and Resources (P-361 and more)
- FEMA: Safe Rooms
- Call 811 before you dig
- City of Huntsville: Inspections FAQ (when a permit is needed)
- City of Huntsville Inspection Department
- Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board: the law
- Alabama EMA: Storm Shelter Tax Credit
- Alabama Dept. of Revenue: Storm Shelter Tax Credit
- Huntsville-Madison County EMA: Community Safe Rooms & Shelter Registration
- City of Huntsville: Storm Shelter Registration
What is the difference between a storm shelter and a safe room?
"Storm shelter" means it meets ICC 500. "Safe room" is FEMA's word for one that meets FEMA P-361 or P-320, which add more rules on top of ICC 500.
Is there such a thing as FEMA certified?
FEMA says it does not verify or certify safe room makers. Ask for the ICC 500 test report or engineer-sealed drawings instead.
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