On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Madera
The City says most new construction and remodeling projects require a permit, and permits are also required whenever plumbing, electrical, or mechanical equipment is added or modified.
One-story garden sheds or playhouses under 120 square feet with no plumbing or electrical
Surface treatments such as paint or tile
On-site cement work
Fences 6 feet high or less
- Exempt One-story garden sheds or playhouses under 120 square feet with no plumbing or electrical
- Exempt Surface treatments such as paint or tile
- Exempt On-site cement work
- Exempt Fences 6 feet high or less
Note: The City says these are examples only. Most new construction and remodel work still requires permits, and any addition or modification of plumbing, electrical, or mechanical equipment requires a permit. Separate planning, engineering, or other agency approvals may still apply.
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Owner-builder form if applicable
- Authorized agent form if applicable
- PDF plans
- Site plan or plot plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Structural calculations
- Energy forms
- Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans
- Fire sprinkler plans
- Soils, grading, and landscape documents where required
- Recycling or waste documents where required
- School fee receipt where required
- Agency clearances where required
- Building code
- The City states that applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with the 2025 California Building Standard Codes.
- Permit validity
- The publicly posted commercial application states the application expires if a permit is not obtained within 180 days after approval to proceed. I did not locate a current City web page stating the active-permit expiration rule, so applicants should confirm that directly with the Building Division.
- Owner-builder
- The City requires a signed Owner-Builder Declaration before issuing an owner-builder permit; an agent generally cannot sign without prior approval. The owner-builder form warns the owner remains legally and financially responsible, must verify contractor licensing and workers' compensation, and may face employer obligations if using unlicensed labor. Owner-builders cannot use SolarAPP+ and must use the regular permit route for solar projects.
- Contractor requirements
- California contractors must be licensed and bonded, and the City's forms require the California contractor license number on permit applications. The City's business license page also states anyone selling a product or service in the City needs a business license.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Simple permits may be issued within 1 to 2 days; more extensive projects may take 6 to 8 weeks.
- 01 Confirm whether the project needs planning clearance; the City states Planning must clear projects for zoning and design consistency before Building Division plan review when applicable.
- 02 Complete the building permit application and gather required supporting forms such as owner-builder or agent authorization forms if applicable.
- 03 Submit PDFs through the City's EPC intake methods: email, Dropbox link, or in-person flash drive delivery.
- 04 Pay plan check fees if plan review is required; for major remodels and new construction, the City says plan check fees must be paid before the application is accepted.
- 05 Respond to plan check comments and resubmit corrected plans if needed.
- 06 Pay permit and any development impact fees when the permit is ready to issue.
- 07 Receive permit issuance, begin work, and request required inspections at least 24 hours in advance.
- 08 Pass final inspection to complete the permit process.
Typical processing time: Simple permits may be issued within 1 to 2 days; more extensive projects may take 6 to 8 weeks.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Madera building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Required when plan review is required, and for major remodels and new construction it must be paid before application acceptance; amounts are set by the City fee schedule.
02
Permit fee formula
Mixed. The Municipal Code says permit valuation is determined by the Building Official and public fee tables are based on occupancy class, construction type, and project size; the City also states plan check, permit issuance, and impact fees apply depending on project scope.
03
Reinspection fee
The Municipal Code authorizes reinspection fees. The City also states a reinspection fee applies if the site is not ready or inspections are canceled untimely.
04
Penalty (no permit)
The Municipal Code authorizes investigation fees for work started without permits.
Minor-permit fees must be paid before permit issuance. For major remodels and new construction, plan check fees are due up front and permit and development impact fees are calculated before issuance.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (559) 661-5445 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests must be received 24 hours in advance.
- Time windows
- For SolarAPP+ inspections, the City lists AM (8:00 AM-12:00 PM) or PM (1:00 PM-4:00 PM) preferences. Requests before 4:00 PM Monday through Friday are scheduled for the next workday, and later requests are scheduled two days later.
Typical sequence: The City states applicants should call for inspections as required by the permit, and passing final inspection completes the process.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Madera permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Madera, CA? ▸
The City says most new construction and remodeling projects require a permit, and permits are also required whenever plumbing, electrical, or mechanical equipment is added or modified.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Madera, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Madera, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. The Municipal Code says permit valuation is determined by the Building Official and public fee tables are based on occupancy class, construction type, and project size; the City also states plan check, permit issuance, and impact fees apply depending on project scope.. Plan check fee: Required when plan review is required, and for major remodels and new construction it must be paid before application acceptance; amounts are set by the City fee schedule..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Madera, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Madera, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the project needs planning clearance; the City states Planning must clear projects for zoning and design consistency before Building Division plan review when applicable. 2. Complete the building permit application and gather required supporting forms such as owner-builder or agent authorization forms if applicable. 3. Submit PDFs through the City's EPC intake methods: email, Dropbox link, or in-person flash drive delivery. 4. Pay plan check fees if plan review is required; for major remodels and new construction, the City says plan check fees must be paid before the application is accepted. 5. Respond to plan check comments and resubmit corrected plans if needed. 6. Pay permit and any development impact fees when the permit is ready to issue. 7. Receive permit issuance, begin work, and request required inspections at least 24 hours in advance. 8. Pass final inspection to complete the permit process.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Madera, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Madera, CA typically run Simple permits may be issued within 1 to 2 days; more extensive projects may take 6 to 8 weeks.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Madera, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Madera, CA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story garden sheds or playhouses under 120 square feet with no plumbing or electrical; Surface treatments such as paint or tile; On-site cement work; Fences 6 feet high or less. Note: The City says these are examples only. Most new construction and remodel work still requires permits, and any addition or modification of plumbing, electrical, or mechanical equipment requires a permit. Separate planning, engineering, or other agency approvals may still apply. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Madera, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Madera, CA via: (559) 661-5445. Requests must be received 24 hours in advance..
last verified April 2026
source City of Madera Building Division ↗
entry id permits/california/madera/madera-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Madera Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.