Madison County, MS - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Quick Start

Permit Authority

Administers building permits and inspections for all unincorporated areas of Madison County. Incorporated municipalities (Canton, Flora, Gluckstadt, Madison, Ridgeland) operate their own permit programs.

Department

Madison County Planning and Zoning Department

Address

125 West North Street, P.O. Box 608, Canton, MS 39046 (Madison County Chancery Building)

Phone

(601) 855-5501

Website

https://www.madison-co.com/county-departments/planning-and-zoning

Application Process

1. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department to confirm your project requires a permit and falls within unincorporated county jurisdiction.
2. Obtain the building permit application from the Planning and Zoning Office in person.
3. Prepare required construction documents (plans, plot plan, site layout).
4. Submit application with documents in person at the Chancery Building office.
5. Department reviews application and construction documents for zoning and code compliance.
6. Pay applicable permit fees upon approval.
7. Permit is issued; post permit on site.
8. Schedule required inspections at key construction milestones.
9. Obtain final inspection and certificate of occupancy upon project completion.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimates.

Source: Madison County Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

All building permits and inspections of construction in unincorporated Madison County are administered by the Planning and Zoning Department. Any structure 200 square feet or larger requires a building permit and must comply with the Zoning Ordinance general development regulations.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Construction plans
• Site/plot plan showing setbacks, drainage, and lot layout
• Applicable contractor licenses

Permit validity

Not publicly stated; confirm with department.

Building code

Madison County Zoning Ordinance (adopted December 2019). The county administers permits under state-adopted codes. Mississippi adopted the 2018 International Codes family in December 2019 as the base statewide standard; local jurisdictions may adopt within three most recent editions.

Owner-builder

Not specified on public-facing pages; contact department.

Contractor requirements

Mississippi State Board of Contractors licensing required for residential projects over $50,000 and commercial projects over $100,000 in value.

Fees

Plan check fee

Not publicly stated.

Permit fee formula

Not publicly stated; contact department.

Reinspection fee

Not publicly stated.

Payment note

Fees are typically paid at the Planning and Zoning Office in person; contact department for accepted payment methods.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Madison County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (601) 855-5501 (phone)

Inspection hours

Typical county government hours Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (office hours not published on department page).

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation, framing, rough mechanical/electrical/plumbing, insulation, final. Confirm required inspections with the department at permit issuance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Madison County Zoning Ordinance (adopted December 2019). The county administers permits under state-adopted codes. Mississippi adopted the 2018 International Codes family in December 2019 as the base statewide standard; local jurisdictions may adopt within three most recent editions.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Zoning Ordinance (PDF, adopted December 2019)
• Subdivision Regulations
• Storm Water Management Plan
• Madison County Comprehensive Plan 2019
• Active Zoning Cases
• License lookup guide: Mississippi Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Mississippi Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Mississippi hub: Mississippi Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, MS?

All building permits and inspections of construction in unincorporated Madison County are administered by the Planning and Zoning Department. Any structure 200 square feet or larger requires a building permit and must comply with the Zoning Ordinance general development regulations.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, MS?

Building permit fees in unincorporated Madison County, MS are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly stated; contact department.. Plan check fee: Not publicly stated..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, MS?

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, MS, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Planning and Zoning Department to confirm your project requires a permit and falls within unincorporated county jurisdiction. 2. Obtain the building permit application from the Planning and Zoning Office in person. 3. Prepare required construction documents (plans, plot plan, site layout). 4. Submit application with documents in person at the Chancery Building office. 5. Department reviews application and construction documents for zoning and code compliance. 6. Pay applicable permit fees upon approval. 7. Permit is issued; post permit on site. 8. Schedule required inspections at key construction milestones. 9. Obtain final inspection and certificate of occupancy upon project completion.

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Madison County, MS typically run Not publicly stated; contact department for current estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Madison County, MS?

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Madison County, MS. The following work is generally exempt: Structures under 200 square feet (still must meet accessory structure setback requirements per zoning ordinance); Routine maintenance and repair work that does not alter the structure. Note: Thin data on exemptions. The department does not publish a detailed exemption list online. Contact (601) 855-5501 for project-specific guidance. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, MS?

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, MS via: (601) 855-5501.