County Building Permits
Madison County, ID - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, Idaho. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas within Madison County, Idaho.
- Department
- Madison County Building Department
- Address
- 134 E Main Street Suite 208, Rexburg, ID 83440
- Phone
- (208) 359-6262
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Complete building permit application form.
- Prepare one electronic copy (PDF format) and/or one physical copy (drawn to scale of no smaller than 1/8" = 1', with plans 11" × 17" maximum).
- Submit application with required documentation to Madison County Building Department.
- Pay non-refundable application review fee (10% for accessory structures; $500 deposit for non-accessory structures).
- County staff reviews application for completeness and code compliance.
- Receive permit issuance or request for corrections.
- Pay remaining permit fees and obtain permit before starting work.
Typical processing time: Minimum of 10 working days from application to permit issuance, subject to completeness of application and backlog.
General Requirements
A building permit is required for all construction within unincorporated Madison County, Idaho.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application
- Recorded Warranty Deed
- Site Plan showing property lines and setbacks
- Building plans (one electronic PDF copy and/or one physical copy, drawn to scale of no smaller than 1/8" = 1')
- Septic Permit (approved by Eastern Idaho Public Health District)
- Building Contractor State Registration (for projects $2,000 or more)
- Building code
- 2018 International Building Code (IBC 2018) with Idaho amendments; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC 2018) with Idaho amendments
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor registration required for projects totaling $2,000 or more (materials and labor combined); General Liability Insurance ($300,000 minimum) and Workers' Compensation Insurance required.
Fees
- Payment note
- Accessory structures: 10% non-refundable review fee upon application submittal. Non-accessory structures: $500 non-refundable deposit (applied to permit fee if approved and permitted). Refer to Madison County Building Department for complete current fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Madison County Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC 2018) with Idaho amendments; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC 2018) with Idaho amendments
- Verify contractor license: Idaho Contractor Registration - DOPL
- Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)
- Eastern Idaho Public Health District - Septic Permits
- Idaho Department of Environmental Quality - Stormwater Permits
- License lookup guide: Idaho Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Idaho Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Idaho hub: Idaho 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 Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Madison County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, ID?
- A building permit is required for all construction within unincorporated Madison County, Idaho.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, ID?
- 1. Complete building permit application form. 2. Prepare one electronic copy (PDF format) and/or one physical copy (drawn to scale of no smaller than 1/8" = 1', with plans 11" × 17" maximum). 3. Submit application with required documentation to Madison County Building Department. 4. Pay non-refundable application review fee (10% for accessory structures; $500 deposit for non-accessory structures). 5. County staff reviews application for completeness and code compliance. 6. Receive permit issuance or request for corrections. 7. Pay remaining permit fees and obtain permit before starting work.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, ID?
- Typical processing time is Minimum of 10 working days from application to permit issuance, subject to completeness of application and backlog..
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