Madison County, MT — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Madison County Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits)

Street address

103 W Wallace Street, Virginia City, MT 59755

Coverage

Madison County administers construction and demolition permits under Ordinance 2-2006 for unincorporated areas

Online portal

Madison County Construction & Demolition

Paper-based submission

Additional resources

Madison County Planning Office ↗

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Madison County

Construction and demolition projects as defined in Ordinance 2-2006 require a permit before work begins

Scope of work

Permit?

Minor repairs and maintenance

Exempt

Certain farm and ranch buildings (verify with Sanitarian)

Exempt

Specific residential accessory structures (verify with Sanitarian)

Exempt

Exempt Minor repairs and maintenance
Exempt Certain farm and ranch buildings (verify with Sanitarian)
Exempt 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

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)

Source: Madison County Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Determine if permit is required under Ordinance 2-2006
02

Complete Construction/Demolition Permit Application form (available from Sanitarian's office or county website)
03

Submit application to Sanitarian's office with payment (check or money order)
04

County reviews application and issues permit
05

Work may begin upon permit issuance
06

Schedule inspections as required during construction

Source: Madison County Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Madison County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Varies based on project type and scope per Ordinance 2-2006

Payment via check or money order

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Contact Sanitarian's office to schedule inspections (phone)

Typical 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)

Source: Madison County Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Madison County permits

01 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

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

Building permit fees in unincorporated Madison County, MT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Varies based on project type and scope per Ordinance 2-2006.

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

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, MT, follow these steps: 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

04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Madison County, MT? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit 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 When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, MT? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, MT via: Contact Sanitarian's office to schedule inspections.

last verified March 2026 source Madison County Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits) ↗ entry id permits/montana/madison/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Madison County Sanitarian (Construction & Demolition Permits) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Madison County