County Building Permits
Madison County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Primary authority for unincorporated Madison County. City-limit projects may require city approval before county permit issuance.
- Department
- Madison County Building Inspections & Code Enforcement Department
- Address
- 91 Albany Ave, Suite 4, Danielsville, GA 30633
- Phone
- 706-795-6350
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Schneider Geospatial Online Services • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm whether the property is in unincorporated Madison County or inside city limits, because city-limit projects may need a city approval letter first.
- Check whether the permit type is available through Schneider Online Services; if not, print the county application packet or pick it up in person.
- Gather the completed application, zoning approval if outside city limits, Health Department approval when required, contractor registration and affidavit, and any project-specific packet items.
- Submit online if available, or submit in person no later than 4:00 p.m. with all required forms.
- Pay fees online for online-submittable permits or in person at issuance for over-the-counter permits.
- Call to schedule inspections; next available business day is typical and the county asks applicants to allow up to 2 business days.
- Complete final inspection before occupancy or final power approval.
Typical processing time: Permits are processed first come, first served; applications that cannot be completed by 4:30 p.m. are processed the next business day.
Source: Madison County Building Inspections & Code Enforcement Department
General Requirements
A permit is required for any building used as a residence, office, or business that is located, erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered by 100 square feet or more, and for any building greater than 400 square feet that is located, erected, or moved into the county.
Required Documents
- Completed application packet
- Zoning approval if outside city limits
- Health Department approval when required
- Contractor registration and affidavit
- Notarized property owner authorization if someone other than the owner pulls the permit
- Project-specific packet items
- Permit validity
- Permits are good for 6 months from issue; a passing inspection within that 6-month period renews the permit for another 6 months.
- Building code
- Madison County enforces the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes and amendments adopted through DCA.
- Owner-builder
- Property Owner Authorization Form is required when someone other than the owner pulls the permit.
- Contractor requirements
- Madison County requires annual local contractor registration for building, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing contractors and submission of a valid state license card. Georgia state contractor licensing rules also apply.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Residential site-built minimum $200; additions minimum $100; electrical minimum $50; HVAC minimum $60; plumbing minimum $60
- Plan check fee
- Site plan review $200; storm water plan review $100; commercial plan review starts at $200 up to 50,000 square feet.
- Permit fee formula
- Mostly square-foot based plus trade fees. Residential heated area is $0.20 per square foot and unheated area is $0.10 per square foot. Accessory structures, pools, demolition, commercial work, mobile homes, and trade permits have flat or mixed formulas.
- Reinspection fee
- Reinspection fee is $50 first trip, $75 second trip, $100 third trip. Residential permit extension is $100 for 90 days with chief inspector approval. Contractor transfer fee is $50.
- Payment note
- County accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card, but not American Express and not payment by phone.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Madison County Building Inspections & Code Enforcement Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Call 706-795-6350 to schedule (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Cancel by 8:15 a.m. if the job is not ready to avoid a reinspection fee.
- Inspection hours
- Inspectors are generally in the office 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Time windows
- Next available business day is typical; applicants should allow up to 2 business days.
Typical inspection sequence: County packets and forms are organized by permit type; the public page specifically calls out footing inspection before concrete, trade inspections, and final inspection, with final power held until required approvals are complete.
Inspections are not set-time appointments.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Madison County enforces the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes and amendments adopted through DCA.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Georgia DCA Construction Codes
- Madison County Parcels (QPublic)
- License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Georgia hub: Georgia 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 Building Inspections & Code Enforcement Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Madison County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, GA?
- A permit is required for any building used as a residence, office, or business that is located, erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered by 100 square feet or more, and for any building greater than 400 square feet that is located, erected, or moved into the county.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, GA?
- The minimum permit fee is Residential site-built minimum $200; additions minimum $100; electrical minimum $50; HVAC minimum $60; plumbing minimum $60. Fees are calculated as: Mostly square-foot based plus trade fees. Residential heated area is $0.20 per square foot and unheated area is $0.10 per square foot. Accessory structures, pools, demolition, commercial work, mobile homes, and trade permits have flat or mixed formulas.. Plan check fee: Site plan review $200; storm water plan review $100; commercial plan review starts at $200 up to 50,000 square feet..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, GA?
- 1. Confirm whether the property is in unincorporated Madison County or inside city limits, because city-limit projects may need a city approval letter first. 2. Check whether the permit type is available through Schneider Online Services; if not, print the county application packet or pick it up in person. 3. Gather the completed application, zoning approval if outside city limits, Health Department approval when required, contractor registration and affidavit, and any project-specific packet items. 4. Submit online if available, or submit in person no later than 4:00 p.m. with all required forms. 5. Pay fees online for online-submittable permits or in person at issuance for over-the-counter permits. 6. Call to schedule inspections; next available business day is typical and the county asks applicants to allow up to 2 business days. 7. Complete final inspection before occupancy or final power approval.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, GA?
- Typical processing time is Permits are processed first come, first served; applications that cannot be completed by 4:30 p.m. are processed the next business day..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, GA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Call 706-795-6350 to schedule. Cancel by 8:15 a.m. if the job is not ready to avoid a reinspection fee..
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