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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Madison County
The county examines building plans and specifications, issues building permits, reviews mobile home permit applications, and performs on-site inspections to ensure compliance with adopted codes.
Detached structure 120 square feet or less does not require a building permit per fee schedule note
- Exempt Detached structure 120 square feet or less does not require a building permit per fee schedule note
Note: Confirm all other claimed exemptions with Madison County before starting work because zoning, driveway, floodplain, septic, and utility approvals may still apply even where a building permit is not required.
Required documents
- Applicant and owner information
- Parcel and project address
- DBPR license information where applicable
- Two sets of plans
- Site plan
- Septic or sewer permit
- Wind load analysis
- Zoning compliance
- Driveway permit
- Florida energy form
- Notice of commencement
- Truss layout where applicable
- Deed, lease agreement, or utility agreement where applicable
- Building code
- Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), effective December 31, 2023. Wind load design is mandatory statewide and must be determined by address under current code maps and tools.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the parcel is outside the City of Madison and in unincorporated Madison County.
- 02 Submit the permit through Cloudpermit or using the county paper permit application.
- 03 For additions and new construction, provide required supporting documents: plans, site plan, septic or sewer permit, wind load analysis, zoning compliance, driveway permit, Florida energy form, truss layout, and notice of commencement when applicable.
- 04 Plans and specifications must be sealed by an architect and/or engineer, with two sets required for most projects and four sets for commercial projects.
- 05 Pay the applicable county permit fees before permit issuance.
- 06 Request inspections by phone at 850-973-6785, providing the permit number and inspection type.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Madison County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$55
02
Permit fee formula
Building permit valuation schedule: $60 for $501-$6,000; $90 for $6,001-$10,000; $140 for $10,000.01-$15,000; $270 for $15,000.01-$20,000; $370 for $20,000.01-$40,000; $430 for $40,000.01-$50,000; then add $1.50 per $1,000 over $50,000
03
Reinspection fee
$35 first; $50 thereafter
04
Penalty (no permit)
All fees shall double if work begins before the permit is issued
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 850-973-6785 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests received before 8:00 AM on the day of inspection can be scheduled for that day; requests after 8:00 AM go to the next working day's schedule.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Madison County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, FL? ▸
The county examines building plans and specifications, issues building permits, reviews mobile home permit applications, and performs on-site inspections to ensure compliance with adopted codes.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, FL? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Madison County, FL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $55. Fees are calculated as: Building permit valuation schedule: $60 for $501-$6,000; $90 for $6,001-$10,000; $140 for $10,000.01-$15,000; $270 for $15,000.01-$20,000; $370 for $20,000.01-$40,000; $430 for $40,000.01-$50,000; then add $1.50 per $1,000 over $50,000.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, FL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, FL, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel is outside the City of Madison and in unincorporated Madison County. 2. Submit the permit through Cloudpermit or using the county paper permit application. 3. For additions and new construction, provide required supporting documents: plans, site plan, septic or sewer permit, wind load analysis, zoning compliance, driveway permit, Florida energy form, truss layout, and notice of commencement when applicable. 4. Plans and specifications must be sealed by an architect and/or engineer, with two sets required for most projects and four sets for commercial projects. 5. Pay the applicable county permit fees before permit issuance. 6. Request inspections by phone at 850-973-6785, providing the permit number and inspection type.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Madison County, FL? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Madison County, FL. The following work is generally exempt: Detached structure 120 square feet or less does not require a building permit per fee schedule note. Note: Confirm all other claimed exemptions with Madison County before starting work because zoning, driveway, floodplain, septic, and utility approvals may still apply even where a building permit is not required. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, FL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, FL via: 850-973-6785. Requests received before 8:00 AM on the day of inspection can be scheduled for that day; requests after 8:00 AM go to the next working day's schedule..
last verified April 2026
source Madison County Building Department ↗
entry id permits/florida/madison/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Madison County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.