What building code does Madison County use?
Madison County uses the 2012 International Building Code when reviewing building plans for commercial and residential projects.
When should I apply for my permit?
You must apply for and be issued a building permit prior to beginning construction. Allow at least 72 hours for the review process.
When may I begin work on my project?
You may begin work on your project once the application has been through the review process and you receive your Madison County building permit.
May I mail my permit application to the office?
You must apply for your building permit in-person at the Planning and Development Department between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except county holidays.
Is the homeowner's signature required on permit applications?
The homeowner, or homeowner’s representative, must sign the application. In doing so, the homeowner’s representative presents themselves as having the authority to act on the homeowner’s behalf. However, private sewage maintenance and discharge forms may only be signed by the homeowner, not a representative.
When do I pay for my permit?
You will be required to pay the building permit fee when you submit your application.
What forms of payment are accepted?
You may pay with cash (for charges up to $300), check, or a major debit or credit card. Please note that debit and credit card transactions are subject to a service fee administered by GovPayNet.
How much does a new home permit cost?
A new home permit is subject to the following fees:
• $0.15 per square foot (based on total square footage, not living space)
• $50 Electrical Fee
• $60 Plumbing Fee
• $200-$250 Sewage Disposal System Fee (if applicable)
• $30 Certificate of Occupancy Fee
Is a copy of the deed required?
Yes, a copy of the recorded deed to the property establishing ownership must be provided for all applications. If you do not have a copy, you may purchase one in the Madison County Recorder’s Office, located in Suite 211 of the Administration Building.
Am I required to submit floor plans for a new home permit?
Yes, you must submit two sets of complete floor plans. The floor plans must be at least 11” x 17” and must indicate front, side, and rear elevations, footings, foundation, framing, wiring, plumbing, insulation diagrams, and HVAC plans. The floor plans must also indicate the location of doors, windows, all electrical, and lighting.
Is a site plan required?
Yes, a site plan must be provided indicating the precise dimensions of the property and the approximate location of existing and proposed structures. It is the owner’s responsibility to verify exact property lines during construction to assure that setback requirements are met. The drawing should be made to scale.
When building a new home, may the owner do all of the work?
Yes, as long as the dwelling will be their primary residence, the owner may do all of the work with the exception of installing an aerobic treatment unit. Aerobic treatment units must be installed by a licensed private sewage installer.
Are metal roofs permitted?
Yes, standing-seam or other professionally-installed metal roofs are permitted in all Agriculture and Single-Family Residential Districts. Tin roofs are not permitted.
May I install a second kitchen or mother-in-law suite in my home?
No, by definition this constitutes multi-family housing and is not permitted.
May I rebuild on an existing foundation following fire damage?
The foundation must be inspected and approved by the Zoning Administrator and be in compliance with the provisions put forth in the Zoning Ordinance in order to be approved.
May I live in the existing home on my parcel while my new home is being built on the same lot?
Yes, provided a demolition permit is applied for and issued in conjunction with the new home permit. The demolition must be completed within six (6) months of the Certificate of Occupancy being issued for the new home.
May I live in the partially-constructed home on my parcel while it is being built?
No, the new home may not be occupied until the final inspection has been conducted and the Building Inspector has issued a Certificate of Occupancy.
How long is my building permit active?
A building permit is active for one (1) year from the date it is issued. If your permit is expired, please contact the Planning and Development Department at (618) 296-4468 to request a permit review and renewal.
What if the property is located in the 100 year floodplain?
If any part of the proposed structure is located in the 100 year floodplain, you must provide an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor or engineer indicating that the finished floor elevation is two (2) feet above the base flood elevation.
If the contractor proposes to bring fill in to raise the ground elevation above the base flood elevation, FEMA approval will be required prior to the issuance of a building permit. The fill must not disturb existing drainage patterns from adjacent properties unless an alternative route is constructed. The slopes must meet the Zoning and Stormwater Ordinances.
In addition, if the home is located near a creek, drainage channel, or low-lying area, Madison County strongly encourages that the lowest sill elevations (such as walk-outs and basement windows) are located above the adjacent road elevation.
For questions, contact the Stormwater Coordinator via phone at (618) 296-4468 or via email at zoning@co.madison.il.us.
What is a REScheck™ and why am I required to have a REScheck™?
REScheck™ is a software application developed to simplify and clarify compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and a number of state-specific codes for residential building projects. REScheck™ is used to assist builders, designers, and contractors in demonstrating energy code compliance and creates a compliance report for code officials based on project inputs. The State of Illinois requires enforcement of the IECC, which regulates energy conservation requirements for new residential structures. In order to enforce the IECC, Madison County is requiring each application for new residential structures to contain a REScheck™ form to demonstrate compliance with the code. The forms must be completed at http:// www.energycodes. gov. Click the REScheck-Web™ link and follow the prompts to complete the form online. When filling out the REScheck™ form, please note that Madison County is located in Climate Zone 4.
What are the zoning setback requirements for a new dwelling?
“A” Agriculture District
• 50 feet from all property lines.
“R-1” Single-Family Residential District
• Front yard setback: 50 feet*
• Side yard† setback: 25 feet
• Rear yard setback: 75 feet
“R-2” Single-Family Residential District
• Front yard setback: 40 feet*
• Side yard† setback: 10% of the width of the lot at the building line
• Rear yard setback: 40 feet
“R-3” Single-Family Residential District
• Front yard setback: 25 feet*
• Side yard† setback: 10% of the width of the lot at the building line
• Side yard† setback: one side yard must have a minimum setback of 10 feet
• Rear yard setback: 30 feet
“R-4” Single-Family Residential District
• Front yard setback: 25 feet*
• Side yard† setback: 10% of the width of the lot at the building line
• Side yard† setback: one side yard must have a minimum set back of 10 feet
• Rear yard setback: 25 feet
*There is an average front yard exception in the Single-Family Residential and Manufactured Home Park zoning districts where the lots on one side of a street, between intersecting streets, constitute 50% or more of the frontage. When these lots are developed with an average front yard variation of ten (10) feet or less, the average front yard setback shall be the minimum requirement so long as the setback is not less than 20 feet or more than 35 feet.
†Any yard area abutting a public or private roadway is treated as a “front yard” and must adhere to the “front yard” setback requirement.
What are the zoning setback requirements for an attached garage, breezeway, or carport?
All attached structures must meet the primary structure setback requirements.
Is there a minimum square footage requirement for new single-family dwellings?
Yes, new single-family dwellings must be at least 620 square feet.
Is there a maximum lot coverage standard?
Agriculture District
• No lot coverage standard.
“R-1” Single-Family Residential District
• Not more than 15% of the area of a zoning lot may be covered by buildings or structures, including accessory structures.
“R-2” Single-Family Residential District
• Not more than 30% of the area of a zoning lot may be covered by buildings or structures, including accessory structures.
“R-3” Single-Family Residential District
• Not more than 35% of the area of a zoning lot may be covered by buildings or structures, including accessory structures.
“R-4” Single-Family Residential District
• Not more than 50% of the area of a zoning lot may be covered by buildings or structures, including accessory structures.