Building Inspections & Code Enforcement

Application Submissions:

• Permits are issued Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:30pm.  Permits take some time to prepare and process.  To submit an application, you will need to be in the office no later than 4:00pm with ALL required forms and a completed and approved application. 

• Permits are processed in the order they are received on a first come first serve basis.  Being in the office by 4:00pm does NOT guarantee your permit can and will be processed that day.  Permits that cannot be processed and completed by 4:30pm will be processed on the next business day. 

• Permit application packets may be obtained through the county website under Building Inspections and Code Enforcement.  They can NOT be filled out and submitted online.  

• All fees must be paid in person and can NOT be paid online or over the phone.  Accepted forms of payment are cash, check, debit/credit cards.  We do NOT currently accept American Express. 

Permit Fees:

• Permit fees are based on the structure's square footage (heated & unheated - porches, garage, basement & etc.) The amperage of the meter base, the type of heating unit (how many TONS or BTU's) and the number of plumbing fixtures. 

Permit Fee List (as of 2024)

Do you need a Permit?

• Before beginning any type of construction, please contact our department to see what permits will be required. 

• It is unlawful for any building used as a residence, office, or business to be located, erected, moved, added to or structurally altered by 100 square feet or more, without obtaining a building permit issued by the Building Inspections Department and with approval of the Madison County Health Department when required.  

• It is also unlawful for any building greater than 400 square fee to be located, erected or moved into the county without obtaining a building permit issued by the building inspection department.  No building permit may be issued except in conformity with the provision of the County Ordinances. 

Please Note:  A Property Owner Authorization Form is now required to be filled out and signed in front of a notary by the property owner in order to give authorization for anyone other than the property owner to pull a permit. Effective: 5/2/22.  This form is included in the application packet. 

If you live in the City Limits of Colbert, Comer, Ila or Danielsville, you fall under their jurisdiction.

• You will need to contact your City Hall to see if they require a permit.  If a permit is required, then you will need to get a detailed letter from them on their letterhead with the location, description of the work to be done, what permit(s) are required and verification that you have met their zoning requirements (such as whether you will hook up to city water or sewage). After this has been determined, you may click on the link below that applies to what you are building to see what the permit requirements are and/or print out the application.  You will need to bring those required items, the letter from the City and the completed application and forms to our office to acquire and purchase your permit.  

• If you have obtained a letter from the city in order to acquire a permit, you will NOT need to take the zoning approval form or application to the Zoning Department for approval. 

Contractor Registration and Affidavit Forms (Included in the permit packets)

• The Madison County Building Inspections and Code Enforcement department requires all building contractors, electricians, HVAC contractors and plumbers to register with our department every year. 

• The annual registration renews in January of each year.  To register, you will need to complete a Contractor Registration Form and provide a valid copy of your state license card when submitting the form.  (These can be printed off the State of Georgia's website or you can purchase it when renewing your license.)

• In addition, a Contractor Affidavit is required to be submitted for each job that is permitted through our office.  The affidavit form must be submitted with the completed application packet by the person obtaining the permit.  

• Please use the links provided above to print the Contractor Registration and Affidavit forms.  Also provided, is the link for the Madison County Contractor Registration Ordinance that mandates the annual registration requirement.  Both forms must be completed and returned to our department before a permit can be issued and inspections can be scheduled.  

• You can visit the Department of Community Affairs website to view a list of the construction codes and amendments that Madison County has adopted and enforces.

Scheduling an Inspection:

Inspections must be requested by Phone, as we do not automatically come out. When calling for an inspection, it will be placed on the next available business day. (Please allow up to two business days) If you have called and scheduled an inspection and it's not going to be ready, it's the responsibility of the contractor or property owner to call and cancel the inspection by 8:15 AM to prevent a re-inspection fee.  This fee increases with each additional reinspection. Please see the fee schedule for additional information.  

• • Inspections cannot be scheduled via email or voicemail messages. 

• Permit approval must be obtained from the Zoning Department if the Property lies outside of the city limits.  

• The Zoning Approval form is included in the application packets.  You will NOT need to fill this form out. It is for department use only. 

• If the property lies within the City limits, you will need to obtain a letter of approval from the City Hall in which the property is located.  

• You will NOT need to acquire approval from the Zoning Department if  you have a letter of approval from the City.  

• A permit will NOT be issued unless all necessary information is approved, completed and submitted together as listed in the requirements portion of your packet for each permit. 

A code enforcement officer is a sworn-in inspector and investigator employed by the county and specializes in the prevention, detection, and enforcement of violations of laws. 

The officer ensures that businesses and people are in compliance with public health, safety, public works, consumer protection, business activities, building standards, municipal affairs, and more.

In short, code enforcement protects the community by regulating entities that are breaking laws and county ordinances. For example, on a daily basis, a code enforcement officer could find themselves performing inspections, carrying out routine duties in support of county community compliance program, enforcing vendor permits, and responding to citizen inquiries or complaints.

Code enforcement officers are a necessity to every single county jurisdiction. Not only does code enforcement protect the safety and wellbeing of the public, but they are also essential in ensuring safe working conditions at places of employment. Safety is another one of the primary ways that code enforcement officers positively impact communities. Communities have legislative bodies that enact ordinances for the good of the entire community. These ordinances include rules and regulations that take into consideration the safety and wellbeing of the public, such as fire codes, building codes, and general property standards.

While some people have a general idea as to what they do on a day to day basis, there are many myths about code enforcement officers. One of the biggest myths about code enforcement officers is that they strive to hand out as many tickets as possible to make money for the county. This couldn’t be further from the truth. For most cases a citation is issued, and if the issue from which the citation was issued is resolved prior to a court date the matter could be dismissed.

Another myth you may have heard is that code enforcement officers pick and choose the complaints they investigate. Every single complaint is investigated, whether driving past the location in question or making personal contact, a record is kept of the investigation, and the investigation’s outcome is documented to ensure all items are inspected.

Complaint Form

The above form must be printed, signed and dated with all information required in order for your issue to be addressed. This form can be emailed, faxed or brought into the Building Inspections & Code Enforcement Department.