Madison County, IN — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Madison County Planning Commission

Street address

Madison County Government Center, 16 East 9th Street, Anderson, IN 46016

Phone

(765) 641-9544

Coverage

Official county page says the Planning Commission covers all unincorporated areas of Madison County and separately serves as the Building Commission for the Town of Orestes.

Online portal

Permit portal

iWorQ Citizen Portal

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Madison County

County fee schedule lists building permits for new construction, additions, remodeling, detached accessory structures over 121 square feet, pools, telecom towers, demolition, driveway or curb cuts, signs, and meter bases; non-structural permits are listed for earthmoving, ponds, and change of use.

Scope of work

Permit?

Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or smaller are not listed in the county building permit fee table

Exempt

Exempt Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or smaller are not listed in the county building permit fee table

Required documents

Portal requires blueprints or building plans, site plan drawn to scale, elevations, driveway permit when applicable, and sewer or septic approval for new homes.

Building code: County planning page references Indiana State Law; county fees and permitting operate under Indiana statewide construction codes and local land use controls

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 7 to 10 business days after complete submittal

01

Open the iWorQ portal and start the Building Permit Application.
02

Upload a complete application packet; the portal says partial submittals will not be accepted.
03

Submit the required plans and supporting documents, including site plan, elevations, and driveway and sewer or septic approvals when applicable.
04

County staff reviews the package; the portal states normal review is 7 to 10 business days after all required documents are submitted.
05

The office contacts the applicant by email or phone when the permit is ready.
06

Pay at issuance and post the permit before work starts.

Typical processing time: 7 to 10 business days after complete submittal

Source: Madison County Planning Commission ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Madison County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$20 demolition permit; $55 listed inspection fee

Plan check fee

Included in listed permit fees unless engineering review is separately billed

Permit fee formula

Mostly flat plus area or unit formulas; for example one or two family new construction is $650 plus $0.10 per square foot over 1,200 square feet

Portal states payment is due when permit is issued; check, cash, or credit card accepted; exact cash only; 4 percent processing fee on credit card payments

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Not fully described on the public county pages; coordinate with the Planning Department (contact)

Typical sequence: County fee schedule lists footing, underslab, foundation, rough-in, drywall, meter base or panel, final, and other building inspector inspections

Reinspection fee is $55

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Madison County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, IN? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, IN? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Madison County, IN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $20 demolition permit; $55 listed inspection fee. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat plus area or unit formulas; for example one or two family new construction is $650 plus $0.10 per square foot over 1,200 square feet. Plan check fee: Included in listed permit fees unless engineering review is separately billed.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, IN? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, IN, follow these steps: 1. Open the iWorQ portal and start the Building Permit Application. 2. Upload a complete application packet; the portal says partial submittals will not be accepted. 3. Submit the required plans and supporting documents, including site plan, elevations, and driveway and sewer or septic approvals when applicable. 4. County staff reviews the package; the portal states normal review is 7 to 10 business days after all required documents are submitted. 5. The office contacts the applicant by email or phone when the permit is ready. 6. Pay at issuance and post the permit before work starts.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, IN? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Madison County, IN typically run 7 to 10 business days after complete submittal. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Madison County, IN? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Madison County, IN. The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or smaller are not listed in the county building permit fee table. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, IN? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, IN via: Not fully described on the public county pages; coordinate with the Planning Department.

last verified April 2026 source Madison County Planning Commission ↗ entry id permits/indiana/madison-in/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Madison County Planning Commission before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Madison County