How much does a building permit cost in Madison, GA?

Fees are calculated as: The public fee schedule notes permit fees are as provided on Building Office applications; one posted valuation formula is sign permits over $1,000 at $100 plus $25 per $1,000 valuation.. Plan check fee: Public fire plan-review fees start at $100 for premises 0 to 10,000 square feet; engineering review application fee is $200 plus listed review charges; no separate general building plan-check percentage was publicly posted..

How do I apply for a building permit in Madison, GA?

1. Confirm the parcel is inside Madison city limits; the city warns that a Madison mailing address alone is not enough. 2. Download the applicable permit application from the city applications page. 3. Prepare the owner, contractor, valuation, square-footage, and plan materials required by the application, plus any needed affidavits or land-disturbance materials. 4. Submit the permit package to the City of Madison Planning and Development Department and resolve any review comments. 5. Pay the applicable city fees and post the permit. 6. Request inspections through the online inspection form or by emailing Tammy Osborne by 1:00 p.m. the preceding business day, then obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy before use.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Madison, GA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: , . Requests are due by 1:00 p.m. the preceding business day.

City Building Permits

Madison, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Madison, Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Georgia Morgan County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Applies within the City of Madison city limits only. The city states it is responsible for all plan review, permit issuance, inspections, and code enforcement within city limits.

Department: City of Madison Planning & Development Department
Address: 162 N. Main Street, Madison, GA 30650
Phone: (706) 752-7971
Email: tosborne@madisonga.com
Website: https://www.madisonga.com/219/Building-Permits

Online Permit Portal

Open CivicPlus Applications and Forms Pages

Platform: CivicPlus • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the parcel is inside Madison city limits; the city warns that a Madison mailing address alone is not enough.
Download the applicable permit application from the city applications page.
Prepare the owner, contractor, valuation, square-footage, and plan materials required by the application, plus any needed affidavits or land-disturbance materials.
Submit the permit package to the City of Madison Planning and Development Department and resolve any review comments.
Pay the applicable city fees and post the permit.
Request inspections through the online inspection form or by emailing Tammy Osborne by 1:00 p.m. the preceding business day, then obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy before use.

Source: City of Madison Planning & Development Department

General Requirements

Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who wishes to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, change occupancy, or perform regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work must first obtain the required permit.

Required Documents

Application
owner and contractor information
project address
valuation
square footage
utility selections
occupancy information
copies of state contractor and business licenses
homeowner permit letter of indemnification affidavit
permit-type-specific forms

Permit validity: If a project is less than 25 percent complete after 6 months from permit issuance, the permit becomes invalid; one 6-month renewal may be granted upon payment of the renewal fee.
Building code: The city's codes page states Madison enforces the latest Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes as adopted and amended by DCA, plus listed fire and water-system standards.
Owner-builder: The city posts a homeowner permit letter of indemnification affidavit referencing the state owner-contractor limitations, including the 24-month resale restriction language.
Contractor requirements: City applications require all contractors to provide a copy of the state contractor's license and business license; Georgia state residential and general contractor licensing rules apply.

Fees

Plan check fee: Public fire plan-review fees start at $100 for premises 0 to 10,000 square feet; engineering review application fee is $200 plus listed review charges; no separate general building plan-check percentage was publicly posted.
Permit fee formula: The public fee schedule notes permit fees are as provided on Building Office applications; one posted valuation formula is sign permits over $1,000 at $100 plus $25 per $1,000 valuation.
Reinspection fee: 1st reinspection $75; 2nd or more $150; stop-work order release $100; demolition inspection $100; grease trap reinspection $75; stormwater pond reinspection $100.
Payment note: Fee schedule states Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted at City Hall and online; returned-check charge is $25.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Madison Planning & Development Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Scheduling deadline: Requests are due by 1:00 p.m. the preceding business day
Time windows: Inspections are conducted Monday and Wednesday each week

Typical inspection sequence: Public inspection page lists building inspections for demolition, partial, footing/slab/wall, foundation waterproofing, exterior sheathing, moisture barrier, framing, insulation, drywall fastening, final, and reinspection, with similar trade inspection menus for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing.

Inspections will not be performed if outstanding reinspection fees have not been paid; fees are also charged if the job is inaccessible, and occupied homes require an escort.

Additional Resources

Building code: The city's codes page states Madison enforces the latest Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes as adopted and amended by DCA, plus listed fire and water-system standards.
Verify contractor license: Georgia Construction License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Codes
Issued Permits
Code Regulations
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 City of Madison Planning & Development Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Madison, GA?: Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who wishes to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, change occupancy, or perform regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work must first obtain the required permit.
How much does a building permit cost in Madison, GA?: Fees are calculated as: The public fee schedule notes permit fees are as provided on Building Office applications; one posted valuation formula is sign permits over $1,000 at $100 plus $25 per $1,000 valuation.. Plan check fee: Public fire plan-review fees start at $100 for premises 0 to 10,000 square feet; engineering review application fee is $200 plus listed review charges; no separate general building plan-check percentage was publicly posted..
How do I apply for a building permit in Madison, GA?: 1. Confirm the parcel is inside Madison city limits; the city warns that a Madison mailing address alone is not enough. 2. Download the applicable permit application from the city applications page. 3. Prepare the owner, contractor, valuation, square-footage, and plan materials required by the application, plus any needed affidavits or land-disturbance materials. 4. Submit the permit package to the City of Madison Planning and Development Department and resolve any review comments. 5. Pay the applicable city fees and post the permit. 6. Request inspections through the online inspection form or by emailing Tammy Osborne by 1:00 p.m. the preceding business day, then obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy before use.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Madison, GA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: , . Requests are due by 1:00 p.m. the preceding business day.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Madison can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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Important: 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.

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