Madera, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers building permits within the incorporated City of Madera; planning clearance may also be required before Building Division plan review.

Department

City of Madera Building Division

Address

205 W 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637

Phone

(559) 661-5440

Email

buildingpermits@madera.gov

Website

https://www.madera.gov/business-building-development/building-development/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project needs planning clearance; the City states Planning must clear projects for zoning and design consistency before Building Division plan review when applicable.
2. Complete the building permit application and gather required supporting forms such as owner-builder or agent authorization forms if applicable.
3. Submit PDFs through the City's EPC intake methods: email, Dropbox link, or in-person flash drive delivery.
4. Pay plan check fees if plan review is required; for major remodels and new construction, the City says plan check fees must be paid before the application is accepted.
5. Respond to plan check comments and resubmit corrected plans if needed.
6. Pay permit and any development impact fees when the permit is ready to issue.
7. Receive permit issuance, begin work, and request required inspections at least 24 hours in advance.
8. Pass final inspection to complete the permit process.

Typical processing time: Simple permits may be issued within 1 to 2 days; more extensive projects may take 6 to 8 weeks.

Source: City of Madera Building Division

General Requirements

The City says most new construction and remodeling projects require a permit, and permits are also required whenever plumbing, electrical, or mechanical equipment is added or modified.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Owner-builder form if applicable
• Authorized agent form if applicable
• PDF plans
• Site plan or plot plan
• Floor plans
• Elevations
• Structural calculations
• Energy forms
• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans
• Fire sprinkler plans
• Soils, grading, and landscape documents where required
• Recycling or waste documents where required
• School fee receipt where required
• Agency clearances where required

Permit validity

The publicly posted commercial application states the application expires if a permit is not obtained within 180 days after approval to proceed. I did not locate a current City web page stating the active-permit expiration rule, so applicants should confirm that directly with the Building Division.

Building code

The City states that applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with the 2025 California Building Standard Codes.

Owner-builder

The City requires a signed Owner-Builder Declaration before issuing an owner-builder permit; an agent generally cannot sign without prior approval. The owner-builder form warns the owner remains legally and financially responsible, must verify contractor licensing and workers' compensation, and may face employer obligations if using unlicensed labor. Owner-builders cannot use SolarAPP+ and must use the regular permit route for solar projects.

Contractor requirements

California contractors must be licensed and bonded, and the City's forms require the California contractor license number on permit applications. The City's business license page also states anyone selling a product or service in the City needs a business license.

Fees

Plan check fee

Required when plan review is required, and for major remodels and new construction it must be paid before application acceptance; amounts are set by the City fee schedule.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. The Municipal Code says permit valuation is determined by the Building Official and public fee tables are based on occupancy class, construction type, and project size; the City also states plan check, permit issuance, and impact fees apply depending on project scope.

Reinspection fee

The Municipal Code authorizes reinspection fees. The City also states a reinspection fee applies if the site is not ready or inspections are canceled untimely.

Penalty (no permit)

The Municipal Code authorizes investigation fees for work started without permits.

Payment note

Minor-permit fees must be paid before permit issuance. For major remodels and new construction, plan check fees are due up front and permit and development impact fees are calculated before issuance.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story garden sheds or playhouses under 120 square feet with no plumbing or electrical
• Surface treatments such as paint or tile
• On-site cement work
• Fences 6 feet high or less

Important: The City says these are examples only. Most new construction and remodel work still requires permits, and any addition or modification of plumbing, electrical, or mechanical equipment requires a permit. Separate planning, engineering, or other agency approvals may still apply.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (559) 661-5445 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests must be received 24 hours in advance.

Time windows

For SolarAPP+ inspections, the City lists AM (8:00 AM-12:00 PM) or PM (1:00 PM-4:00 PM) preferences. Requests before 4:00 PM Monday through Friday are scheduled for the next workday, and later requests are scheduled two days later.

Typical inspection sequence: The City states applicants should call for inspections as required by the permit, and passing final inspection completes the process.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The City states that applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with the 2025 California Building Standard Codes.
• Verify contractor license: CSLB License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• City Building Contacts
• Electronic Plan Submittal Guidelines
• Residential Submittal Checklist
• Commercial Submittal Checklist
• Municipal Code Building Adoption Section
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

Other cities in Madera County