Madison County, IL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit threshold
- 200 sq ft or larger, accessory structures
- Setback cross-reference
- § 93.051
- Zoning violation fine
- $10 to $500 per day
- Assessor notice deadline
- 15 days of permit issuance
- Administering office
- Planning and Development / Building and Zoning Dept.
Summary
In unincorporated Madison County, any accessory building or structure covering 200 square feet or more requires a building permit before construction. Smaller accessory structures skip the permit but still must meet the county's setback rules. The Planning and Development Department administers permits, and the County Board can even halt new permits area-wide if health or safety is threatened.
ACCESSORY BUILDING or STRUCTURE. A detached subordinate building or structure, the use of which is customarily incidental to that of the main use of the land and which is located on the same lot with the main building or use. Structures under 200 square feet are not subject to a building permit but must meet accessory structure setback requirements as per § 93.051.
Full Breakdown
051. Above that threshold, a permit application must go to the county before work starts. 02 gives the County Board authority to discontinue issuing building permits within a prescribed area if it determines that further permits would endanger public health or welfare; before doing so the Board must publish notice once in a newspaper of general circulation describing the decision, the affected area and the hazard driving it. 16, including the 2012 International Building Code and 2012 International Residential Code, and are handled through the county's Planning and Development / Building and Zoning Department rather than any city hall, since incorporated cities and villages like Edwardsville and Alton issue their own permits inside their limits.
Violations & Fines
Building or maintaining a structure in violation of the zoning code, including skipping a required permit, exposes the owner to a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $500 per day under § 93.999(A), with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. The county, or any affected property owner, can also go to Circuit Court under § 93.999(B) to force removal, alteration or correction of the unpermitted work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a shed in unincorporated Madison County?
Where do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County?
Can the county stop issuing building permits in my area?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison County
Compare Madison County to another location·View the Illinois building safety overview
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