Local building department guide · Updated 2026-07-30

Madison Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

Use this guide to find the official City of Madison Building Inspection Division, start a permit application, search permit records, schedule an inspection, and locate the correct zoning or plan review contact.

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Quick actions

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Apply for a building permit

Review the typical application path and prepare your project details.

See permit steps

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Track or search permits

Find Madison permit search resources and application status links.

Search permits

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Schedule a building inspection

Learn what to have ready before requesting your next inspection.

Schedule inspection

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Accela portal login

Open the department's official online services and permit portal.

Open portal

The City of Madison Building Inspection Division administers building permits, plan review, construction inspections, zoning review, and code-compliance services for property inside Madison. Dane County’s separate zoning authority applies to unincorporated rural areas; a Madison address should be checked against the city boundary before filing.

Madison building permits and plan review

Use the city’s permit guide to determine whether the proposed work requires a building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, erosion-control, or zoning approval. Madison allows some simple one- and two-family permits through its online Licenses & Permits portal, but new buildings, additions, and first-time commercial build-outs may require a plan-review appointment or a complete paper/digital submittal. Commercial submittals must include the applicable application, review fee, and plans.

The city’s zoning and site-plan-review process must be completed before separate building, sign, or demolition permits can be issued when the project requires site-plan approval. Wisconsin state codes and amendments apply with Madison General Ordinances and the city zoning code.

Inspections, code compliance, and occupancy

Madison lists footing, foundation, rough framing, insulation, and final inspections for building work, with separate underground, rough, and final inspections for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC permits. Call 608-266-4551 ext. 1 for inspection scheduling; the city also provides online scheduling for contractors. The final inspection should be completed before occupying the area. Building Inspection handles property-maintenance complaints and code enforcement, while zoning staff handle zoning questions and approvals.

Official contact information

Madison Municipal Building, Building Inspection Division is at 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 017, Madison, Wisconsin 53703. General Building Inspection and plan-review assistance is (608) 266-4551; the city identifies extensions for inspection, plan review, and zoning on its official service pages. The city’s Accela Licenses & Permits portal supports permit applications and public record searches.

Permit process

How to Apply for a Madison Building Permit

Confirm the project scope

Identify the work, property address, project valuation, and whether plans are required.

Prepare your documents

Gather plans, owner and contractor details, site information, and any zoning approvals.

Submit and monitor

Submit through the department’s stated process, pay fees, and watch for review comments.

Field work & closeout

Building Inspections & Code Compliance in Madison

Most permitted work must remain accessible for inspection at defined stages. Before scheduling, check your permit record for the required inspection sequence and make sure the site is safe and ready. Final inspections can be especially important for code compliance and a certificate of occupancy.

Helpful preparation

Keep the permit card or approval number available, confirm the property address, and ask the official office about lead times or reinspection fees.

Planning & review

Zoning and Plan Review Requirements

A building permit is not always the only approval your project needs. Zoning guidelines may affect use, setbacks, height, parking, signage, or lot coverage. Residential and commercial building permits can also follow different plan review tracks, so confirm the correct path before investing in a full plan set.

For a project in Madison, start with the official department below and ask which zoning, planning, conservation, or fire review approvals apply to your address.

Keep this handy

Official Contact Information

Department	City of Madison Building Inspection Division
Phone	(608) 266-4551
Address	215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 017, Madison, WI 53703
Official website	https://www.cityofmadison.com/development-services-center
Last verified	2026-07-30

Official source pages used for this guide

These links were checked on 2026-07-30. Requirements, fees, office hours, and portal addresses can change; use the official source as the final authority.