Building Inspection
Permit Requirements by Type
Residential
Other Permit Types
Commercial Permit Requirements
Swimming Pool Requirements (See Permits clerk for information)
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, it is suggested that you be in the office no later than 4:00 p.m.
Inspections must be requested, 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 48 hours.) If you have called and scheduled an inspection and it's not going to be ready, it's the responsibility of the contractor or homeowner to call and cancel the inspection by 8:15 AM to prevent a $50 re-inspection fee.
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, or Ila, 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, type of work, what permit is 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. You will need to bring those requirements, and the letter from the city, to our office and purchase your permit.
The State of Georgia requires all General Contractors, Electricians, HVAC Contractors, and Plumbers to be state licensed.
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.
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 any inspections can be 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 and notarized for the property owner to give authorization to allow someone else to pull a permit for them. Effective: 5/2/22.
The links in the next section are for various permitting requirements and 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.