Administrative overview · FIPS 21151
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 Services / Planning and Building Codes; Madison County Fiscal Court
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
Madison County Planning and Building Codes: 859-624-4780; Madison County Fiscal Court: 859-624-4700.
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Madison County Planning and Building Codes, 135 W Irvine Street, 3rd Floor, Richmond, KY 40475.
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Planning and Building Codes office at 135 W Irvine Street, 3rd Floor, Richmond.
Review expectation
N/A. No current county plan-review turnaround time was published on the verified pages.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →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 Services / Planning and Building Codes; Madison County Fiscal Court 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 Madison County Planning and Building Codes: 859-624-4780; Madison County Fiscal Court: 859-624-4700..
How long might review take?
N/A. No current county plan-review turnaround time was published on the verified pages.
How are inspections scheduled?
The county inspection guide states that the permit holder must schedule every required inspection at least 24 hours in advance. Published stages include footing, foundation, floor/slab, envelope, air-barrier, rough-in mechanical, framing, insulation, and final inspection. Contact Madison County Planning and Building Codes at 859-624-4780; final approval requires electrical, plumbing, septic, insulation, and termite documentation before the Certificate of Occupancy.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
For unincorporated Madison County, the official Planning and Development page states that the department enforces the Kentucky Building/Residential Codes and National Electric Code. The county's published Building Construction Conditions document specifically lists the 2013 Kentucky Residential Code, 2013 Kentucky Building Code, 2014 National Electrical Code, and 2009 International Energy Conservation Code; no newer county-specific 2026 adoption was verified. Richmond and Berea have separate municipal building programs. The county Applications & Regulations page says permits are required for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use/occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of buildings and structures, except certain agricultural buildings located on qualified farms. No broader county-specific minor or cosmetic exemption list was published on the verified current pages; confirm any narrow code exception with the building official before work.