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Madison County, AL Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Adopted plumbing code
2018 International Plumbing Code (minus App. A)
New-construction fee
Greater of $150 or $0.025 per sq ft under beam
House-moving permit fee
Flat $150
Reinspection fees
$50, $75, $100 (1st, 2nd, 3rd+)
Appeal path
Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Art. I § 13

Summary

Madison County has adopted the 2018 International Plumbing Code, minus Appendix A, to regulate plumbing installation in public and private buildings across the unincorporated area. Permit fees run through the county's own amended fee schedule rather than the IPC's default table.

City-specific rules exist: Huntsville has its own plumbing permits rules that differ from Madison County's county-level regulations. If you live in Huntsville, check the city-specific page instead.

SECTION 1. International Plumbing Code Adopted. The International Plumbing Code, 2018 edition, save and except Appendices "A", and those provisions incompatible with the Administrative Provisions contained in the International Building Code, as amended by Article I above... is adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as if fully set out... The subject matter of the adopted code includes comprehensive provisions and standards regulating the installation of plumbing systems and equipment within or on public or private buildings or other structures within the unincorporated area of Madison County, Alabama for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety and general welfare.

Full Breakdown

1. 025 per square foot, the same rate applied to repairs or remodeling that alter plumbing equipment, with a flat $150 fee for a house-moving plumbing permit. Reinspection fees are $50 for the first reinspection, $75 for the second, and $100 for the third or later. 3 authorizes the building official to establish a refund policy for overpaid fees, and Section 109 of the IPC, the code's own means-of-appeal provision, is deleted entirely in favor of a written appeal to the county's board of adjustments and appeals under Article I, Section 13.

The Residential Building Codes Resolution's Section 12 sets a comparable, separately numbered plumbing fee for one- and two-family dwellings, so which schedule applies depends on whether the structure is residential or commercial/industrial construction.

Violations & Fines

Installing or altering plumbing equipment covered by the International Plumbing Code without first obtaining the required permit from the Inspection Department subjects the responsible party to the building official's enforcement authority, including inspection and correction orders under the adopted code.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plumbing code applies in unincorporated Madison County?
The 2018 International Plumbing Code, adopted by the Commercial Building Codes Resolution's Article V, minus Appendix A, and locally renamed the Plumbing Code of Madison County under amended Section 101.1.
How much does a plumbing permit cost in Madison County?
Section P106.6.2 sets the fee at the greater of $150 or total square footage under beam times $0.025 per square foot for new construction, repairs, or remodeling, with a flat $150 fee for a house-moving plumbing permit.
Can I appeal a plumbing permit decision in Madison County?
Yes, but not through the IPC's own appeal section, which the county deleted. Section 7 of Article V routes an aggrieved applicant to a written appeal before the county's board of adjustments and appeals under Article I, Section 13.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Madison County

All Madison County rules

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