County Permit SearchU.S. compliance directory
IllinoisMadison County

Administrative overview · FIPS 17119

Madison County permit authority

The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.

Jurisdictional status

County

This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.

Responsible agency

Madison County Planning and Development Department

For a project in or near Madison County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.

Direct contact

618-296-4468

Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.

Permit counter

Madison County Planning and Development, 157 North Main Street, Suite 254, Edwardsville, IL 62025

Operating hours

Permit applications: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM, except county holidays

Review expectation

Allow at least 72 hours for new-home permit review. Applications must be submitted in person; a building permit is active for one year from issuance.

Compliance workbench

Choose the next project decision.

Source trail

Official sources for this profile

Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Madison County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Madison County Planning and Development Department is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.

How should I begin an application?

Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 618-296-4468.

How long might review take?

Allow at least 72 hours for new-home permit review. Applications must be submitted in person; a building permit is active for one year from issuance.

How are inspections scheduled?

Call Planning and Development at 618-296-4468 with the building permit number. Calling before 9:00 AM to schedule an inspection typically ensures same-day inspection. Work may begin only after application approval and permit issuance.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

The county's official FAQ lists the 2012 International Building Code for commercial and residential plan review. The FAQ is dated June 2016, so confirm with Planning and Development whether newer editions or amendments apply in 2026. No permit is required to replace existing windows of the same size, repair or replace siding, or remodel a kitchen/bathroom without altering rough plumbing, removing a load-bearing wall, upgrading electrical service, pulling the meter, or adding square footage. Enlarged/new windows and structural or utility changes require permits.

Before contacting the permit counter

Have the project facts ready.

A productive call starts with a clear description of the property and proposed work. Keep the site address, parcel or assessor number, project valuation, existing occupancy, approximate square footage, structural scope, contractor information, and desired start date in front of you. Those facts help the Authority Having Jurisdiction route the question to building, planning, fire, environmental health, or another reviewing discipline.

Questions worth asking

  • • Is the parcel inside an incorporated city or county service area?
  • • Does this scope require building, trade, zoning, fire, or site permits?
  • • What plans and supporting documents make the submittal complete?
  • • How much lead time is needed for each inspection?