City of Madison

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.

Note: No public Madison exempt-work list was found in the sources reviewed.

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.

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.

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.

1. 01
   Confirm the parcel is inside Madison city limits; the city warns that a Madison mailing address alone is not enough.
2. 02
   Download the applicable permit application from the city applications page.
3. 03
   Prepare the owner, contractor, valuation, square-footage, and plan materials required by the application, plus any needed affidavits or land-disturbance materials.
4. 04
   Submit the permit package to the City of Madison Planning and Development Department and resolve any review comments.
5. 05
   Pay the applicable city fees and post the permit.
6. 06
   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 ↗

Fee schedule states Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted at City Hall and online; returned-check charge is $25.

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

• Online inspection request form (phone)
• Email to Tammy Osborne (phone)

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 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.