Building permits in Madison County — A major Metro East county across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri — are issued by Building & Zoning Department. Madison County enforces the 2018 I-Codes (as locally adopted).
This guide covers what requires a permit, the Madison County Permit Portal, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Madison County project stays on track.
Madison County — a major metro east county across the mississippi river from st. louis, missouri — issues building permits for properties in unincorporated areas through its Building & Zoning Department. Madison County issues permits for unincorporated areas. For properties within municipalities, contact the local building department.
Illinois enacted its first-ever statewide building code on January 1, 2025 via Public Act 103-0510. All municipalities and counties must now enforce codes at least as stringent as the ICC model codes (IBC, IRC, IEBC). The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) oversees baseline compliance. However, each jurisdiction still administers its own permitting — processes, fees, and review timelines vary widely by city and county.
What requires a building permit in Madison County?
Under locally adopted codes, a permit is required for most construction activities:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, siding, and exterior changes
- Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installations
- Decks, pools, fences, patio covers, garages, sheds
- Foundation repairs, demolition, change of use
Typically exempt
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation
- Countertop replacement and similar finish work
- Freestanding decks ≤ 30 in. above grade and ≤ 200 sq ft
- One-story detached sheds ≤ 200 sq ft (no utilities, on grade)
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without a permit in unincorporated Madison County can result in fines, stop-work orders, and double permit fees.
Who handles permitting in Madison County?
The Building & Zoning Department handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. Permits are managed through the Madison County Permit Portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Building & Zoning Department — 130 N Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025 |
| Phone | (618) 296-6185 |
| Online portal | Madison County Permit Portal |
| Code cycle | 2018 I-Codes (as locally adopted) |
| Review timeline | 7–14 business days residential; 15–30 business days commercial |
| Contractor license | Local registration + state trade licenses |
Apply at the Madison County Permit Portal. Register an account, start a new application, upload required documents (site plan, construction drawings, energy code compliance), and pay fees. Print and post the permit card on-site before work begins.
Madison County building permit cost
Madison County permit fees are typically valuation-based. Plan review fees are calculated as a percentage of the building permit fee.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Plan review fee | 65% of building permit fee |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fees per trade |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + stop-work orders + fines |
Want a precise number for a specific Madison County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Madison County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each needs its own permit and appropriately licensed tradespeople.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, EV chargers, and most wiring alterations — performed by an electrician licensed at the local level (Illinois does not issue a statewide electrician license).
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, backflow, and sewer connections — performed by a contractor licensed through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork changes, and venting modifications — performed by a qualified mechanical contractor per local requirements.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Fencing, pools, decks, sheds, and patio covers may require special permits depending on size and utility hookups. Demolition, sign, and right-of-way permits follow separate tracks.
Verify contractor licensing. Illinois does not issue a statewide general contractor license — general contractor licensing is handled at the local city or county level. However, two trades are state-regulated: plumbers are licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and roofing contractors are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) under the Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Electricians and HVAC technicians are regulated locally. Workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for any Illinois employer — construction is classified as extra-hazardous. Verify licensing at idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp.
How to get a building permit in Madison County
Verify property is in unincorporated Madison County
Confirm your property is in unincorporated Madison County. Properties inside municipalities should contact the local city building department instead. Call (618) 296-6185 with questions.
Submit application
Complete the application online or at 130 N Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Select the correct permit type for your project.
Upload documents & pay fees
Upload site plan, construction drawings, energy compliance forms, contractor registration, and proof of insurance. Pay fees at submittal.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against 2018 I-Codes. 7–14 business days residential; 15–30 commercial. Address any correction notices.
Pay remaining fees & receive permit
Pay the remaining permit fee upon approval. Print permit and post on-site before construction begins.
Schedule inspections
Schedule inspections through Building & Zoning Department. Typical checkpoints: foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, final. Certificate of Occupancy required before occupancy.
Inspections in Madison County
Schedule inspections through the Madison County Permit Portal or by calling (618) 296-6185. Standard checkpoints include foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit card on-site and maintain approved plans. A final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Madison County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Madison County Planning & Development
- 💻 Madison County Permit Portal
- 📋 Madison County Fee Schedule
- 🪪 IL License Lookup (IDFPR)
Simplify Madison County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Madison County's Madison County Permit Portal, valuation-based fees, and Illinois's local licensing requirements reward applicants who prepare complete packages from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Madison County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Building & Zoning Department process, so your Madison County submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Madison County because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Building & Zoning Department, the Madison County Permit Portal, and the 2018 I-Codes (as locally adopted).
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Need a Madison County building permit?
Get your Madison County project permitted right. Alliance Permitting handles your applications through the Madison County Permit Portal — so you build, not wait.
More Illinois permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Building & Zoning Department before filing. This is not legal advice.