County Building Permits
Madison County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Madison County only.
- Department
- Planning & Development Department
- Address
- 157 N. Main Street, Suite 254, Edwardsville, IL 62025
- Phone
- (618) 296-4468
- zoning@co.madison.il.us
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Manual/Email submission • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Submit application in-person or via email to zoning@co.madison.il.us.
- Provide two sets of construction plans, site plan, and recorded deed.
- Department reviews for code and zoning compliance.
- Pay fees in full upon notification of approval.
- Permit issued for one year.
Typical processing time: Not specified.
General Requirements
New homes, additions, accessory structures >200 sq ft, major repairs, alterations, solar installations.
Required Documents
- Two sets of plans
- Site plan
- Recorded deed
- Private Entrance Permit (for new homes)
- Permit validity
- 1 year from issuance.
- Building code
- 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2023 NEC
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may perform work on principal residence.
- Contractor requirements
- Roofing/Plumbing contractors must be state-licensed.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $50.00 (Zoning Permit Base Fee)
- Plan check fee
- Included in base fee
- Permit fee formula
- Square footage based (~$0.15/sq ft for new residential). $100 base + sq ft for additions.
- Reinspection fee
- $100 re-inspection fee
- Penalty (no permit)
- Double fees for starting without permit
- Payment note
- Applications accepted until 4:00 PM daily
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft (must meet setbacks)
- Fences up to 7 feet in height
- Retaining walls 4 feet or less
- Cosmetic finishes (painting, flooring, cabinets)
- 1-for-1 window/siding replacement (no size change)
- Agricultural buildings (20+ acres; requires Agricultural Exemption form)
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (618) 296-4468 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Footing, Foundation, Framing, Electrical, Plumbing, Final
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2023 NEC
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- REScheck/COMcheck Compliance
- License lookup guide: Illinois Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Illinois Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Illinois hub: Illinois Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Planning & Development Department before applying.
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