Madera County, California Building Permit Guide

Madera County’s Building Division, part of the Community & Economic Development Department at 200 W. 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637 (559-675-7703), regulates buildings in the unincorporated area of the county. In-person permit submittals are accepted Monday – Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

This guide covers the unincorporated county and the City of Madera, the county seat. The County’s fees and its Environmental Health and Public Works rules could not be checked, and City of Madera fee amounts are not given here.

What requires a building permit in Madera County?

Moving a building: moving a building over 120 square feet needs a relocation permit from the building relocation board.

Utilities: permanent utilities are connected only after the building official tags approval.

California builds on one statewide code, Title 24, whose 2025 edition took effect on 1 January 2026; the editions in effect when the application is submitted apply, and cities and counties may adopt local amendments only with findings filed with the state (new residential amendments are largely frozen until June 2031). Title 24 and local amendments

Solar, EV chargers and ADUs in Madera County

• Solar: roof-mount solar can be submitted at the office or online, but ground-mount solar cannot yet be filed online.
• EV charging stations: these have an expedited process.
• ADUs: pre-approved ADU plans are offered for the unincorporated areas.

Contractors are licensed statewide by the Contractors State License Board (Classes A, B, B-2 and C) for work of $1,000 or more or any permitted work; a city may also require a business licence or tax registration. Contractor licensing in California

Building permits in the City of Madera

The City of Madera’s Building Division is at 205 W 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637 (Front Counter (559) 661-5440). The lobby is open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and the counter for transactions 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., closed 12:00-1:00 p.m. daily and Tuesdays 8:00-9:00 a.m. Residential solar can go through SolarAPP+ automated permits as well as regular solar permits.

City inspections are requested on the Inspection Request Line, (559) 661-5445. Requests made before 4:00pm are scheduled for the next business day and later requests for the second day after the call. Give the permit number, inspection type and an A.M. or P.M. preference.

Official Madera County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Madera County Community & Economic Development
• Madera County Building Division
• City of Madera Building Division
• City of Madera building inspections

Frequently asked questions

Can I file ground-mount solar online in Madera County?

Not yet. Roof-mount solar can be submitted at the office or online, but ground-mount solar cannot yet be filed online.

Do I need a permit to move a building in Madera County?

Moving a building over 120 square feet needs a relocation permit from the building relocation board.

When will a City of Madera inspection happen?

Requests made on the Inspection Request Line before 4:00pm are scheduled for the next business day; later requests for the second day after the call.

Simplify Madera County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Check whether the parcel is handled by the County or by a city, and which approvals the project needs
• Assemble and file the application and plans through the County’s portal or counter
• Track review, pay fees and schedule each inspection through to final

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Madera County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.