Administrative overview · FIPS 31119
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 Joint Planning 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
(402) 370-3577
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
1112 Bonita Drive, Norfolk, NE 68701
Operating hours
Tuesday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at the Norfolk office; Monday at the Pierce County Courthouse
Review expectation
Allow at least two weeks for permit processing. The approved 2026 permit is valid for one year from the approval date.
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 Joint Planning 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?
No verified online portal was located in the reviewed public materials. Contact (402) 370-3577 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.
How long might review take?
Allow at least two weeks for permit processing. The approved 2026 permit is valid for one year from the approval date.
How are inspections scheduled?
All zoning permits are subject to inspection. The 2026 application instructs the applicant to contact the Madison/Pierce County Planning Department to schedule an inspection before the structure is used; call (402) 370-3577.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
N/A; the 2026 zoning permit requires the owner/contractor to comply with all applicable building codes, but the county materials do not identify a technical code edition. A zoning/building permit is required for any structure larger than 100 square feet, including agricultural and portable structures; structures at or below 100 square feet are not covered by that stated threshold. Agricultural buildings/structures on agricultural operations of 20 acres or more and buildings, additions, or decks under 650 square feet pay only the $50 base fee rather than the higher square-footage fee.