Unincorporated Madison County

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.

Note: No public exempt-work list was found on the reviewed county pages and fee schedule.

Building code

Madison County enforces the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes and amendments adopted through DCA.

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.

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.

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   Submit online if available, or submit in person no later than 4:00 p.m. with all required forms.
5. 05
   Pay fees online for online-submittable permits or in person at issuance for over-the-counter permits.
6. 06
   Call to schedule inspections; next available business day is typical and the county asks applicants to allow up to 2 business days.
7. 07
   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 ↗

County accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card, but not American Express and not payment by phone.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 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 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.

Source: Madison County Building Inspections & Code Enforcement Department ↗