Building Inspection
Staff & Contact Information
Department Head -
Phone: 706-795-6350
Email:
Permit Requirements by Type
Residential
Temporary Housing (Camper) Permit - This permit can only be issued with a residential building permit and is good for 12 months.
Commercial and Other Permit Types
Plans Review Requirements
NOTE: Prior to submitting an application for a permit, you will need to see the Zoning Administrator for permit approval. The approval form needed by the Zoning Office is attached to the front of the permit application packets. Once you have all required forms, affidavits, registrations and the application completely filled out; you would then take the application packet and the approval form to the Zoning Office for approval. Once you have Zoning approval you will be able to submit the application for a permit.
A permit will not be issued unless all necessary information is completed and submitted together.
Important Information
Permits are issued Monday-Friday 8 AM–4:30 PM. Please note that permits take some time to prepare and process. If applying in person, you will need to be in the office no later than 4:00pm.
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.
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 sq. ft. or more, without obtaining a building permit issued by the Building Inspection Department with approval of the Madison County Health Department, where required. It is also unlawful for any accessory building greater than 400 sq. ft. 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 provisions of this ordinance.
If you live in the City Limits of Colbert, Comer, Ila or Danielsville, you fall under their jurisdiction. You will need to contact their 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 with the location, description of the work to be done, what permit(s) are required, and verification that you have met their zoning requirements. 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, the zoning approval form and the completed application and forms to our office with the zoning approval form to acquire and purchase your permit.
The Madison County Building & Zoning Department requires all building contractors, electricians, HVAC contractors, and plumbers to register with our department every year. The annual registration renews every January of each new year. To register, you will need to complete a Contractor Registration form (link provided below) and provide a copy of your state license 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 form (link provided below), is required to be submitted for each job that is permitted through our office before the work can be inspected. The affidavit form must be submitted with the completed application packet by the person obtaining the permit.
Contractor Registration and Affidavit Forms. Please click on the links provided below, to print the Contract Registration and Contractor 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 performed.
Permit fees are based on the structure's square footage (heated & unheated- porches, decks, garage, basement, & etc.), the amperage of the meter base, the type of heating unit (tonnage or BTU’s), and the number of plumbing fixtures.
Provided below, please find the link to the Department of Community Affairs, with a list of the construction codes and amendments that Madison County has adopted and enforces.
Please Note: A "Permit Property Owner Authorization Form" is now required to be signed in front of a notary by the property owner in order to give authorization for someone to pull a permit for them. Effective: 5/2/22.
The links in the next section are for various Informational handouts. Please note, this is not an all-inclusive list. Before beginning any type of new construction, remodeling, moving, altering or repairing, please contact our department for complete procedures and requirements.
Mobile Home Porches and Entries
Mobile Home Skirting & Ventilation
Anchorage for Storage Buildings