County Building Permits
Madison County, AL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, Alabama. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Alabama Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Madison County areas only. Municipal parcels inside Huntsville, Madison, New Hope, Gurley, Owens Cross Roads, and Triana follow those local permit systems instead.
- Department
- Madison County Inspection Department
- Address
- 266-A Shields Road, Huntsville, AL 35811
- Phone
- 256-746-2950
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CityView • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Madison County and check zoning through the county zoning inquiry page.
- 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.
- Submit through CityView or through the Inspection Department.
- Pay permit, plan review, and any sub-permit fees.
- Complete required inspections during construction.
- Receive final approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.
General Requirements
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.
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
- 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.
- Building code
- Effective January 2021 the county 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.
- 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.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Building new residential/addition $150 minimum; most residential MEP permits $75 minimum
- Plan check fee
- Residential plan review is $50 up to 10,000 square feet under beam and $100 over 10,000 square feet.
- 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.
- 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.
- Payment note
- County pay-online page routes permit, application, and reinspection fees through CityView.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- 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
Inspections
How to Schedule
- CityView portal (portal)
- Inspection Department (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday business operations
Additional Resources
- Building code: Effective January 2021 the county 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.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Codes
- Building Inspection Forms
- Pay Online
- License lookup guide: Alabama Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Alabama Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Alabama hub: Alabama Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Madison County Inspection Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Madison County Building Permit FAQ
- 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.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, AL?
- 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..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, AL?
- 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.
- What work is exempt from building permits 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.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, AL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: CityView portal, Inspection Department.
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This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.