How much does a building permit cost in Town of Madison, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $60.00 for a town zoning permit application. Fees are calculated as: Flat-fee town zoning filings: zoning permit $60.00; zoning determination request $200.00; special use permit or special exception $500.00; rezoning application $100.00..

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Madison, VA?

1. Confirm whether the property is inside Town of Madison limits and determine which town zoning approvals are needed: zoning permit, zoning determination, special use permit or special exception, variance, rezoning, sign permit, or historic-overlay review. 2. Contact the Town Administrator and Zoning Administrator at 540-948-3202 or townoffice@townofmadisonva.com for zoning questions and to confirm filing requirements. 3. Complete the appropriate town zoning form. Download forms from the Town of Madison Document Center. Each form requires a physical survey or sketch plan showing setbacks and proposed improvements. 4. Include any required supporting approvals: Madison County Health Department approval for private well or septic, Virginia Department of Health approval for food preparation where applicable, a town sign permit number if new signage is proposed, and a sketch or plan of proposed exterior work if the property is in the Historic Overlay Zoning District. 5. Submit applications by emailing electronic PDF files to the Town Administrator, or deliver materials in person to Town Hall during office hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays). 6. If the proposed use is not by right, pursue the additional town zoning pathway identified by staff, such as a special use permit, variance, zoning text or map amendment, or rezoning. Town review includes a site inspection before approval. 7. After receiving town zoning approval, apply separately to Madison County for any required building permit, trade permit, flood-zone permit, inspections, and certificate of occupancy. Madison County — not the town — is the building official for all USBC permitting.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Madison, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Madison County Building Department: 540-948-6102, Madison County Inspection Request Form. Madison County requires inspection requests by 3:00 p.m. the day prior to the desired date..

City Building Permits

Town of Madison, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Madison, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia Madison County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

The Town of Madison is the only incorporated town in Madison County. The town administers its own zoning, planning, and land-use approvals inside town limits. However, per the Virginia DHCD Building Official Directory, Madison County remains the actual building permit issuer for the town — all USBC building permits, trade permits, and code inspections are handled by Madison County.

Department: Town of Madison Town Administrator and Zoning Administrator (town zoning); Madison County Building Department (building permits)
Address: 23 Washington Circle, Town of Madison, Virginia 22727
Phone: 540-948-3202
Email: townoffice@townofmadisonva.com
Website: https://www.townofmadisonva.com/government-information

Online Permit Portal

Open Town of Madison Document Center

Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: Online or in-person

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm whether the property is inside Town of Madison limits and determine which town zoning approvals are needed: zoning permit, zoning determination, special use permit or special exception, variance, rezoning, sign permit, or historic-overlay review.
Contact the Town Administrator and Zoning Administrator at 540-948-3202 or townoffice@townofmadisonva.com for zoning questions and to confirm filing requirements.
Complete the appropriate town zoning form. Download forms from the Town of Madison Document Center. Each form requires a physical survey or sketch plan showing setbacks and proposed improvements.
Include any required supporting approvals: Madison County Health Department approval for private well or septic, Virginia Department of Health approval for food preparation where applicable, a town sign permit number if new signage is proposed, and a sketch or plan of proposed exterior work if the property is in the Historic Overlay Zoning District.
Submit applications by emailing electronic PDF files to the Town Administrator, or deliver materials in person to Town Hall during office hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays).
If the proposed use is not by right, pursue the additional town zoning pathway identified by staff, such as a special use permit, variance, zoning text or map amendment, or rezoning. Town review includes a site inspection before approval.
After receiving town zoning approval, apply separately to Madison County for any required building permit, trade permit, flood-zone permit, inspections, and certificate of occupancy. Madison County — not the town — is the building official for all USBC permitting.

Source: Town of Madison Town Administrator and Zoning Administrator (town zoning); Madison County Building Department (building permits)

General Requirements

A town zoning permit is required for renovation, new build, and other land-use changes inside town limits. Additional town review is triggered for signage, food preparation, private well or septic service, and exterior work in the Historic Overlay Zoning District. Building permits and code inspections are issued separately by Madison County.

Required Documents

Completed town zoning permit application or other applicable town form
Physical survey or sketch plan showing setbacks and proposed improvements
Plans or sketches for proposed exterior work in the Historic Overlay Zoning District
Madison County Health Department approval for private well or septic where applicable
Virginia Department of Health approval for food preparation where applicable
Owner authorization if applying through an agent
Other plans, photos, sketches, or supporting documents requested by town staff

Building code: Building-code enforcement for projects in the Town of Madison is administered by Madison County under the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
Owner-builder: No town-specific owner-builder rule was published in the town's zoning materials. For the building-permit portion, Madison County's owner exemption rules and Virginia state contractor-licensing requirements control.
Contractor requirements: No standalone contractor license requirement was published in the town's zoning forms. The actual building-permit step is controlled by Madison County, whose permit forms require Virginia DPOR contractor-license information unless the applicant is exempt under state law.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $60.00 for a town zoning permit application
Permit fee formula: Flat-fee town zoning filings: zoning permit $60.00; zoning determination request $200.00; special use permit or special exception $500.00; rezoning application $100.00.
Payment note: Town zoning fees are paid with the filed application. No dedicated online payment portal was identified for town zoning fees. For Madison County building permit fees, use the county's Tyler Portico payment page; a 3 percent convenience fee applies for credit-card payments.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Madison Town Administrator and Zoning Administrator (town zoning); Madison County Building Department (building permits) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Madison County Building Department: 540-948-6102 (phone)
Madison County Inspection Request Form (online)

Scheduling deadline: Madison County requires inspection requests by 3:00 p.m. the day prior to the desired date.
Inspection hours: Town office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays.

Typical inspection sequence: Town zoning review first; any additional town zoning action if needed (special use permit, variance, rezoning); then Madison County building permit and county code inspections for work requiring a building permit; final county inspection and certificate of occupancy before occupancy when applicable.

Additional Resources

Building code: Building-code enforcement for projects in the Town of Madison is administered by Madison County under the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Town of Madison Document Center
Rezoning Application
Zoning Variance Application
Demolition Permit Affidavit
Town Comprehensive Plan
Madison County Building Department
Virginia DHCD Building Official Directory
License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Madison Town Administrator and Zoning Administrator (town zoning); Madison County Building Department (building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Madison Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Madison, VA?: A town zoning permit is required for renovation, new build, and other land-use changes inside town limits. Additional town review is triggered for signage, food preparation, private well or septic service, and exterior work in the Historic Overlay Zoning District. Building permits and code inspections are issued separately by Madison County.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Madison, VA?: The minimum permit fee is $60.00 for a town zoning permit application. Fees are calculated as: Flat-fee town zoning filings: zoning permit $60.00; zoning determination request $200.00; special use permit or special exception $500.00; rezoning application $100.00..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Madison, VA?: 1. Confirm whether the property is inside Town of Madison limits and determine which town zoning approvals are needed: zoning permit, zoning determination, special use permit or special exception, variance, rezoning, sign permit, or historic-overlay review. 2. Contact the Town Administrator and Zoning Administrator at 540-948-3202 or townoffice@townofmadisonva.com for zoning questions and to confirm filing requirements. 3. Complete the appropriate town zoning form. Download forms from the Town of Madison Document Center. Each form requires a physical survey or sketch plan showing setbacks and proposed improvements. 4. Include any required supporting approvals: Madison County Health Department approval for private well or septic, Virginia Department of Health approval for food preparation where applicable, a town sign permit number if new signage is proposed, and a sketch or plan of proposed exterior work if the property is in the Historic Overlay Zoning District. 5. Submit applications by emailing electronic PDF files to the Town Administrator, or deliver materials in person to Town Hall during office hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays). 6. If the proposed use is not by right, pursue the additional town zoning pathway identified by staff, such as a special use permit, variance, zoning text or map amendment, or rezoning. Town review includes a site inspection before approval. 7. After receiving town zoning approval, apply separately to Madison County for any required building permit, trade permit, flood-zone permit, inspections, and certificate of occupancy. Madison County — not the town — is the building official for all USBC permitting.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Madison, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Madison County Building Department: 540-948-6102, Madison County Inspection Request Form. Madison County requires inspection requests by 3:00 p.m. the day prior to the desired date..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.