The Madison County Building & Zoning Department administers the building code for construction in the unincorporated areas of the county. Of Madison County’s 263,110 residents (latest Census estimate), 55,338 live in the unincorporated balance; the most populous cities are Granite City (26,807), Edwardsville (26,463) and Alton (25,013).
This guide covers the county’s permits for unincorporated land and the City of Edwardsville. Two county pages disagree on the code editions and on how to apply, as set out below. The county fee table could not be read, so ask Building & Zoning for the fee.
What a new home permit needs in Madison County
A new home permit now requires an APPROVED private entrance application at submittal, plus a plot plan, a 911 address form, erosion and sediment control, REScheck, and the Illinois licence numbers of the roofer (104-) and plumber (055-), or “owner”.
Some locations add a document: proof of paid tap-on fees for homes on City of Edwardsville water or sewer, a minimum sill height liability waiver in the Village of Hamel, and Holiday Shores approval for Holiday Shores lots.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Illinois leaves building codes to local government, but since 1 January 2025 any local code must regulate structural design at least as strictly as baseline editions of the International Building, Existing Building and Residential Codes, and where no code was adopted the statute sets minimums for commercial buildings and new homes (Public Act 103-0510). Illinois codes and the statewide baseline
Who handles permitting in Madison County?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building & Zoning Department | Building code and private sewage, unincorporated areas; Administration Building, 157 N. Main Street, Suite 254, Edwardsville, Illinois 62025-1964 | (618) 296-4468; zoning@madisoncountyil.gov; Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Highway Department | Entrance, utility and right-of-way permits on county highways; helps townships with theirs; 7037 Marine Road, Edwardsville, IL 62025 | (618) 296-4540; hwypermits@madisoncountyil.gov |
| City of Edwardsville Public Works | Building permits and inspections in the city; 200 East Park Street | 618-692-7535; publicworks@cityofedwardsville.com; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday |
Other county applications also run through Building & Zoning: zoning hearings, preliminary and final subdivision plats, erosion and sediment control development, grading/fill and site development permits.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Private sewage in Madison County
Here private sewage systems are reviewed and approved by the Building & Zoning Department, which also enforces the private sewage code; call (618)296-4468. Lots on private sewage must be at least 40,000 square feet under the county zoning ordinance, soil evaluations are required for all private sewage permits, and the design drawing must be done by a licensed private sewage installer.
How to apply in Madison County
The county’s New Home application packet says applications are fillable PDFs submitted by email to zoning@madisoncountyil.gov or in person. An older county page on building permits and inspections still says permits must be applied for in person at the Building & Zoning counter. Ask the department which it accepts before filing.
Unincorporated land goes to county Building & Zoning; Edwardsville parcels go to the city.
Get the private entrance application approved before submitting a new home permit.
On private sewage, get the soil evaluation and an installer’s design.
Permits are processed in the order received; staff call to collect fees once the application is complete.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A building permit carries a validity period set by the county or city that issues it; confirm the expiry on phased or delayed work before it passes. Permit validity in Illinois
Building codes in Madison County
The county’s building permit page lists the 2024 International Building, Residential, Mechanical and Fire Codes, the 2024 IECC, the 2023 National Electrical Code, and the Illinois Plumbing and Private Sewage Codes. The older county page mentioned above still lists earlier code editions, so confirm with Building & Zoning.
Edwardsville uses the 2021 International Building and Residential Codes (effective 1/1/2023) and the 2020 National Electrical Code with amendments.
Inspections in Madison County
County inspections are scheduled in the order received. The county building inspectors are Lead Building Inspector Jeff Walker, (618)296-4668, and Building Inspector Dylan Stock, (618)296-4664, both at 157 N. Main Street, Suite 254, Edwardsville.
Rather not deal with the Madison County building department?
Get a free quote →Edwardsville offers same-day inspections when you call 618-692-7535 or 618-692-7537 before 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Edwardsville historic district
Exterior work on property in the City Historic District or on a landmark needs Historic Preservation Commission approval (HPC@cityofedwardsville.com).
Official Madison County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Madison County building permits
- Madison County permits and inspections
- Madison County private sewage
- Madison County Highway permitting
- Edwardsville building permit applications and codes
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Who approves septic systems in Madison County?
The county Building & Zoning Department reviews and approves private sewage systems and enforces the private sewage code.
What must be approved before a Madison County new home permit?
The private entrance application must be APPROVED at the time of submittal.
Can I get a same-day inspection in Edwardsville?
Yes, by calling 618-692-7535 or 618-692-7537 before 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Simplify Madison County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Confirm whether the county or a city or village has the parcel, and which office to file with
- Line up the health, highway and floodplain approvals that come before the building permit
- File with the right office and keep inspections on schedule
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Illinois. 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.
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More Illinois permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Madison County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.