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

All properties in unincorporated areas of Madison County.

Online portal

iWorQ Citizen Portal

iWorQ

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Madison County

Building permits are required for new construction, additions, remodeling, detached accessory structures over 121 square feet, pools, telecom towers, demolition, driveway or curb cuts, signs, and meter bases.

Scope of work

Permit?

Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or smaller

Exempt

Exempt Detached accessory structures 120 square feet or smaller

Note: Work types beyond the county fee table are not summarized as exempt on public pages; confirm with Planning Department.

Required documents

Blueprints or building plans
Site plan drawn to scale
Elevations
Driveway permit when applicable
Sewer or septic approval for new homes

Building code: Indiana State Law and Indiana statewide construction codes

§ 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 requires all required documents to be submitted at once.
03

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

County staff reviews the package; 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; $55 inspection

Plan check fee

Included in listed permit fees unless engineering review is separately billed

Permit fee formula

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

Reinspection fee

$55 reinspection; double permit fee for work without permit

Penalty (no permit)

Zoning penalties escalate from $100 to $500 and can rise further

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

Madison County Planning Commission (765) 641-9544 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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

§ 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; $55 inspection. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat plus area formulas; 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 requires all required documents to be submitted at once. 3. Submit required plans and supporting documents, including site plan, elevations, and driveway and sewer or septic approvals when applicable. 4. County staff reviews the package; 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. Note: Work types beyond the county fee table are not summarized as exempt on public pages; confirm with Planning Department. 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: Madison County Planning Commission (765) 641-9544.

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

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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