City Building Permits

Town of Hot Springs, NORTH-CAROLINA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Hot Springs, North Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

North Carolina Madison County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Hot Springs issues certificates of zoning compliance inside town limits. Madison County Building Inspections Department issues building permits and performs inspections for all construction within Hot Springs.

Department
Town of Hot Springs Planning and Zoning (certificate of zoning compliance); Madison County Inspection Department (building permits and inspections)
Address
Town of Hot Springs, 186 Bridge Street, Hot Springs, NC 28743; Madison County Inspection Department, 5707 US 25-70 Hwy, Suite 5, Room 19, Marshall, NC 28753
Phone
Town of Hot Springs (828) 622-7591; Madison County Inspections (828) 649-3766
Website
https://www.townofhotsprings.org/planning

Online Permit Portal

Open Madison County Planning Forms

Platform: PDF forms with email submission • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Submit the Town of Hot Springs Application for Certification of Zoning Compliance with the $40 application fee. This approval is required before obtaining the Madison County building permit.
  2. Include a sketch plan or site plan drawn to scale. The Hot Springs zoning ordinance requires duplicate plans showing actual lot dimensions, accurate building dimensions and use, building location, and other information needed to enforce the ordinance.
  3. After receiving the certificate of zoning compliance from Hot Springs, apply to Madison County for the building permit by completing the Madison County permit package.
  4. Complete the Madison County Property Improvement Checklist and all required permit forms. Email completed forms to [email protected] or deliver in person.
  5. Provide plans of the structure to be built and all required construction documents to Madison County Inspections.
  6. Pay applicable Madison County building permit fees through online payment or in-person payment.
  7. Schedule county inspections during construction. Madison County inspections for the Hot Springs area are performed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call the day before by 3:00 PM to request an inspection.
  8. After all inspections are complete, obtain the Hot Springs certificate of occupancy by requesting it coincident with the final building inspection or within 10 days of completion.

Source: Town of Hot Springs Planning and Zoning (certificate of zoning compliance); Madison County Inspection Department (building permits and inspections)

General Requirements

Hot Springs requires a certificate of zoning compliance before any building or structure is erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered, and before any change in use. Madison County requires a building permit for construction or alteration of any building or structure.

Required Documents

  • Hot Springs Application for Certification of Zoning Compliance
  • Zoning compliance application fee ($40)
  • Duplicate plans drawn to scale showing lot dimensions, building dimensions and use, building location, and other information needed for ordinance enforcement
  • Sketch plan (site plan)
  • Madison County Property Improvement Checklist (signed)
  • Madison County permit forms (completed)
  • Building construction plans
Permit validity
Hot Springs certificate of zoning compliance becomes invalid 6 months after issuance if no building permit or certificate of occupancy has been issued. Madison County building permit expires if work does not commence and receive an inspection within 6 months, and there can be no more than 1 year between inspections.
Building code
North Carolina Building Code (2018 code set currently in effect pending 2024 rollout)
Owner-builder
Madison County posts the NC Owner Exemption Affidavit. The owner claiming exemption must personally superintend the work, be on site regularly, be present for required inspections unless sealed architectural plans were used, and occupy the building for 12 months after completion without offering it for rent, lease, or sale during that period.
Contractor requirements
North Carolina requires a licensed general contractor for projects costing $40,000 or more. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work must be performed by properly licensed contractors where state law requires.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$40 (Hot Springs zoning compliance application)
Permit fee formula
Hot Springs zoning compliance is flat-fee at $40. Madison County building fees are primarily square-footage based by permit type, with minimum residential new construction (0-999 sq ft) at $410 and individual trade permits at $88 minimum.
Trade permit fee
$88 minimum for residential trade permits (Madison County)
Reinspection fee
$76 residential; $189 commercial (Madison County)
Penalty (no permit)
Hot Springs: violations may be prosecuted criminally up to $500 and 30 days imprisonment, plus civil penalty of $100 per day. Madison County: $379 plus permit fee (residential first offense), $757 plus permit fee (residential second offense), $631 (commercial first offense), $1,262 (commercial second offense)
Payment note
Hot Springs zoning compliance payment is handled directly with the town planning office. Madison County accepts online payment through Municipay, email submission of forms with later payment, or in-person payment at the inspections office.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Hot Springs Planning and Zoning (certificate of zoning compliance); Madison County Inspection Department (building permits and inspections) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Madison County Inspections (828) 649-3766 (call day before by 3:00 PM) (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Inspection requests must be called in the day before by 3:00 PM.
Inspection hours
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hot Springs area inspections are performed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Typical inspection sequence: Town zoning compliance approval, Madison County building permit issuance, county trade and building inspections during construction, then final building inspection and town certificate of occupancy signoff.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Hot Springs Planning and Zoning (certificate of zoning compliance); Madison County Inspection Department (building permits and inspections) before applying.

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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.

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