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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Madison County
County residential code requires permits for constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of residential buildings and for electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system work. County residential code also states permits are required whenever work value exceeds $1,000, and regardless of value when work affects plumbing drainage or requires electrical disconnection.
One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet, except garages, tool sheds, or similar structures expressly excluded from the exception
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge
Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with allowed height/diameter ratio
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below
Painting, papering, floor covering, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Swings and playground equipment for one- or two-family dwellings
Window awnings that do not project more than 54 inches and do not need added support
Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
Minor electrical repair and maintenance listed in the county residential resolution
Portable heating, cooking, clothes drying, and similar gas/mechanical items listed in the county residential resolution
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet, except garages, tool sheds, or similar structures expressly excluded from the exception
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with allowed height/diameter ratio
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below
- Exempt Painting, papering, floor covering, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment for one- or two-family dwellings
- Exempt Window awnings that do not project more than 54 inches and do not need added support
- Exempt Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
- Exempt Minor electrical repair and maintenance listed in the county residential resolution
- Exempt Portable heating, cooking, clothes drying, and similar gas/mechanical items listed in the county residential resolution
Required documents
- Construction documents; special inspection and structural observation programs where applicable; stamped plans/design calculations for dwellings other than detached one-family dwellings or detached accessory structures when required; county zoning inquiry/approval as applicable.
- Building code
- Effective January 2021 the county states it enforces 2018 IBC, 2018 IRC, 2018 IEBC, 2018 IPC, 2018 IMC, 2018 IFGC, 2018 ISPSC, 2017 NEC, with local amendments and 2015 IECC per Alabama law.
- Permit validity
- Permit becomes invalid unless work starts within 180 days after issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 1 year after commencement. Written extensions of up to 90 days each may be granted.
- Owner-builder
- County states a permit for house or residential construction, erection, remodeling, or repair may issue only to the bona fide owner/occupant of the land or to a duly licensed contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- County residential code references duly licensed contractors; commercial summary sheet requires Alabama licensed design professionals and trade documents where applicable. State licensing still applies.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Madison County and check zoning through the county zoning inquiry page.
- 02 Prepare permit application materials and any required plans. For residential work, the county resolution requires construction documents and allows the building official to require additional documents when needed.
- 03 Submit through CityView or through the Inspection Department.
- 04 Pay permit, plan review, and any sub-permit fees.
- 05 Complete required inspections during construction.
- 06 Receive final approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Madison County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Building new residential/addition $150 minimum; most residential MEP permits $75 minimum
02
Plan check fee
Residential plan review is $50 up to 10,000 square feet under beam and $100 over 10,000 square feet.
03
Permit fee formula
New building/additions $0.17 per square foot under roof line, $150 minimum; renovations $150 minimum or 0.0075 times project cost; pools $250 minimum or 0.005 times project cost; many MEP permits are square-foot or flat-fee based.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fees are $50 first, $75 second, $100 third or more; work started before permit causes fees to be tripled under the county residential resolution; after-hours requested inspection is $500 per inspection type.
County pay-online page routes permit, application, and reinspection fees through CityView.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Through CityView or by working with the Inspection Department (contact)
- Inspection hours
- Department contact page lists Monday through Friday business operations; no universal published inspection window found
Reinspection fees apply countywide at $50, $75, and $100 escalating levels
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Madison County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, AL? ▸
County residential code requires permits for constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of residential buildings and for electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system work. County residential code also states permits are required whenever work value exceeds $1,000, and regardless of value when work affects plumbing drainage or requires electrical disconnection.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, AL? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Madison County, AL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Building new residential/addition $150 minimum; most residential MEP permits $75 minimum. Fees are calculated as: New building/additions $0.17 per square foot under roof line, $150 minimum; renovations $150 minimum or 0.0075 times project cost; pools $250 minimum or 0.005 times project cost; many MEP permits are square-foot or flat-fee based.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review is $50 up to 10,000 square feet under beam and $100 over 10,000 square feet..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, AL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, AL, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Madison County and check zoning through the county zoning inquiry page. 2. Prepare permit application materials and any required plans. For residential work, the county resolution requires construction documents and allows the building official to require additional documents when needed. 3. Submit through CityView or through the Inspection Department. 4. Pay permit, plan review, and any sub-permit fees. 5. Complete required inspections during construction. 6. Receive final approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Madison County, AL? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Madison County, AL. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet, except garages, tool sheds, or similar structures expressly excluded from the exception; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with allowed height/diameter ratio; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below; Painting, papering, floor covering, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and playground equipment for one- or two-family dwellings; Window awnings that do not project more than 54 inches and do not need added support; Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving the required exit door; Minor electrical repair and maintenance listed in the county residential resolution; Portable heating, cooking, clothes drying, and similar gas/mechanical items listed in the county residential resolution. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, AL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, AL via: Through CityView or by working with the Inspection Department.
last verified April 2026
source Madison County Inspection Department ↗
entry id permits/alabama/madison-al/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Madison County Inspection Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.