Madison, AL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building Department

Street address

100 Hughes Road, Madison, AL 35758

Phone

(256) 772-5644; Permit Specialist: (256) 772-5645

permits@madisonal.gov

Coverage

City of Madison corporate limits, including the Limestone County portion

Online portal

City of Madison Online Permitting (BuildPortal)

BuildPortal

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Madison

Madison expressly requires permits for all new single-family structures, new commercial structures, all electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work, additions, new storage buildings over 200 sq. ft., most alterations (roofs, siding, window replacements), signs including temporary event banners, and all retaining walls

Scope of work

Permit?

Detached storage buildings of 200 sq. ft. or less (inferred from 'permits required for' threshold language)

Exempt

Exempt Detached storage buildings of 200 sq. ft. or less (inferred from 'permits required for' threshold language)

Note: No broader city-issued exempt-work list located on reviewed pages

Required documents

Signed application
Signed invoice or contract
Digital plot plan
Construction drawings
Flood elevation certificate if in flood hazard area
Subcontractor list before final inspection
Energy-code third-party documentation for new one- and two-family homes

Building code: 2021 IFC; 2018 IRC, IBC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IPMC, ISPSC; 2017 NEC; 2015 IECC
Owner-builder: Owner Acting as GC must occupy the house for no less than 1 year after completion if valuation exceeds $10,000, with affidavit on file
Contractor requirements: Application requires homebuilders or general contractor license information; signed subcontractor list required before final inspection

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Confirm setback, easement, zoning, and floodplain conditions before applying.
02

Submit a signed permit application plus a customer-signed invoice or contract stating scope of work and contract price.
03

For residential building permits, submit digital plot plan and construction drawings for plan review; commercial, zoning, engineering, and floodplain reviews are routed as applicable.
04

Pay permit fees and any state craft-training fee or residential academy fee that applies.
05

Wait for city review and approval.
06

After permit issuance, request inspections through the online portal or by contacting the department.

Source: Building Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Madison building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$25 minimum for many trade schedules; $50 for modular building; $25 for portable storage

Plan check fee

Not shown as separate line item on main fee PDFs

Permit fee formula

Commercial buildings/apartments: 0.5% of true estimated labor and material cost; one- and two-family dwellings/townhomes/sunrooms/detached residential: square-foot formula (heated area x 1.2 plus unheated x 0.3); trade permits vary

Reinspection fee

Mechanical/gas: 1st $25, 2nd $35, 3rd $45, 4th $55; electrical: 1st $25, 2nd $35, 3rd $45

Nonresidential: Alabama Craft Training Fee of $1 per $1,000 of construction; residential: $20 North Alabama Homebuilding Academy fee

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

BuildPortal (online)
(256) 772-5644 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; permits and payments not processed after 3:30 p.m.

Typical sequence: Residential checklists include form check/foundation survey, footing, erosion control, temporary pole, foundation/slab, sewer/water piping, brick tie/rough 1, energy inspection, rough 2, temporary power, engineering final, gas final (if applicable), and final

Source: Building Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Madison permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Madison, AL? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Madison, AL? ▸

Building permit fees in Madison, AL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25 minimum for many trade schedules; $50 for modular building; $25 for portable storage. Fees are calculated as: Commercial buildings/apartments: 0.5% of true estimated labor and material cost; one- and two-family dwellings/townhomes/sunrooms/detached residential: square-foot formula (heated area x 1.2 plus unheated x 0.3); trade permits vary. Plan check fee: Not shown as separate line item on main fee PDFs.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Madison, AL? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Madison, AL, follow these steps: 1. Confirm setback, easement, zoning, and floodplain conditions before applying. 2. Submit a signed permit application plus a customer-signed invoice or contract stating scope of work and contract price. 3. For residential building permits, submit digital plot plan and construction drawings for plan review; commercial, zoning, engineering, and floodplain reviews are routed as applicable. 4. Pay permit fees and any state craft-training fee or residential academy fee that applies. 5. Wait for city review and approval. 6. After permit issuance, request inspections through the online portal or by contacting the department.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in Madison, AL? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Madison, AL. The following work is generally exempt: Detached storage buildings of 200 sq. ft. or less (inferred from 'permits required for' threshold language). Note: No broader city-issued exempt-work list located on reviewed pages When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Madison, AL? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Madison, AL via: BuildPortal, (256) 772-5644.

last verified April 2026 source Building Department ↗ entry id permits/alabama/limestone/madison

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Madison

Other jurisdictions in Limestone County.