County Building Permits
Madison County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, Montana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Madison County administers construction and demolition permits under Ordinance 2-2006 for unincorporated areas
- Department
- Madison County Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits)
- Address
- 103 W Wallace Street, Virginia City, MT 59755
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Paper-based submission • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine if permit is required under Ordinance 2-2006
- Complete Construction/Demolition Permit Application form (available from Sanitarian's office or county website)
- Submit application to Sanitarian's office with payment (check or money order)
- County reviews application and issues permit
- Work may begin upon permit issuance
- Schedule inspections as required during construction
Source: Madison County Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits)
General Requirements
Construction and demolition projects as defined in Ordinance 2-2006 require a permit before work begins
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Property description
- Project description
- Construction costs/valuation
- Site plan or drawings (if applicable)
- Building code
- 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Fire Code (adopted February 2020)
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Varies based on project type and scope per Ordinance 2-2006
- Payment note
- Payment via check or money order
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Madison County Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ()
Typical inspection sequence: Inspections typically required at key construction stages; specific requirements depend on project type. Required inspections typically include foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and final (varies by project)
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Fire Code (adopted February 2020)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Montana Building Codes Program
- License lookup guide: Montana Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Montana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Montana hub: Montana 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 Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Madison County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, MT?
- Construction and demolition projects as defined in Ordinance 2-2006 require a permit before work begins
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, MT?
- Fees are calculated as: Varies based on project type and scope per Ordinance 2-2006.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, MT?
- 1. Determine if permit is required under Ordinance 2-2006 2. Complete Construction/Demolition Permit Application form (available from Sanitarian's office or county website) 3. Submit application to Sanitarian's office with payment (check or money order) 4. County reviews application and issues permit 5. Work may begin upon permit issuance 6. Schedule inspections as required during construction
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Madison County, MT?
- The following work is generally exempt: Minor repairs and maintenance; Certain farm and ranch buildings (verify with Sanitarian); Specific residential accessory structures (verify with Sanitarian). Note: Exemptions vary; work exempt at state level may still require county approval. Verify with Madison County Sanitarian before starting work
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, MT?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: .
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