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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Madison County
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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Minimum of 10 working days from application to permit issuance, subject to completeness of application and backlog.
- 01 Complete building permit application form.
- 02 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).
- 03 Submit application with required documentation to Madison County Building Department.
- 04 Pay non-refundable application review fee (10% for accessory structures; $500 deposit for non-accessory structures).
- 05 County staff reviews application for completeness and code compliance.
- 06 Receive permit issuance or request for corrections.
- 07 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.
§ 04
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Madison County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, ID? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within unincorporated Madison County, Idaho.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, ID? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, ID, follow these steps: 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.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, ID? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Madison County, ID typically run Minimum of 10 working days from application to permit issuance, subject to completeness of application and backlog.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
last verified April 2026
source Madison County Building Department ↗
entry id permits/idaho/madison/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Madison County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.