Apartment buildings along rail ways
Development Services Center
  1. Holiday Closures

    Building Inspection is closed January 19th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

  2. Building Inspection Counter Appointments

    Building Inspection plan review and zoning review counters will be open to the public by appointment only.

Online permits

You can apply for some permits online. Whether you can apply depends on the scope of the work, the applicant, and the type of building.

Type of applicantPermits you can apply for online

General Contractor

Owner occupants of 1 or 2 family home

You can apply for permits in 1 or 2 family homes that do not require plan review. Choose repair or replace building permit as the permit type. 

Examples of permits that you can apply for online: 

  • Replace siding, roofing, or gutters.
  • Replace windows or doors in existing opening with no alterations to the opening.
  • Replace trim, drywall, or insulation.
  • Replace surface deck boards, handrails, or guardrails.
  • Install basement drainage systems without structural repairs.

We calculate fees by the cost of construction. Please exclude plumbing, heating, electrical, as well as cabinetry, paint, countertops, flooring, and trim from this cost. 

You need plan review if the scope of work includes the following:

  • Additions or alterations to the building. (decks, porches, sun rooms, or new construction).
  • Finishing a previously unfinished space within the building.
  • Any changes to walls, even walls that are not full height or non-load-bearing walls. Includes building or removing walls, or portions of any walls.
  • Move or add permanent fixtures (toilet, sinks, shower, kitchen island or counters, cabinets).
  • Add, remove, or change the size of doors, windows, or other exterior openings.
  • Changes to the use of a space. For example, converting an office into bedroom.
  • Changes to the framing of an existing structure or adding structural reinforcement. For example, replacing deck posts, footings, joists, or beams, change of roof pitch.

If your permit requires plan review, please follow the steps for Digital Plan Submittal and Review. 

If this is a commercial alteration of any type, do not apply online! Contact us at 608-266-4551 ext. 2 or binspection@cityofmadison.com. 

Electrician

You can apply for permits to remodel an existing space. Choose repair or replace electrical permit for permit type.

We calculate fees by the number of openings (outlets, switches, and fixtures) and/or the number of new or replaced service entrances.

Plumber

You can apply for permits that do not require plan review. 

Choose repair or replace plumbing permit for permit type.

Examples of permits that you can apply for online: 

  • Interior alteration in 1 or 2 family home
  • Direct replacement of fixtures in an existing building
  • Water heaters and water softeners

We calculate fees by the number of new or replaced fixtures. 

HVAC contractor

You can apply for permits that do not require plan review. 

Choose repair or replace HVAC permit for permit type.

Examples of permits that you can apply for online: 

  • Replacing furnace, boiler, or AC (residential or commercial)
  • Remodel of existing space in 1 and 2 family homes. 

Please note, you cannot apply for the following permits online:

  • New buildings
  • Additions
  • First-time build-outs of shell spaces

We calculate these fees by square footage of the space. Permit counter staff must enter these permits manually. Please make an appointment to come in. 

Apply online

  1. Log in to licenses and permits portal

    Log into the Licenses and permits portal. Create an account if you do not have one. You will need to verify your email.

    If you're a contractor with a new account, staff will need to associate your license to your account. We will need license verification. Contact binspection@cityofmadison.com for assistance. 

    If you have issues logging into your account, contact ELAM support at elamsupport@cityofmadison.com. 

    Tip: Contractors may want to use a general email. If many people can login, you're less likely to lose access to your account.

  2. Click the Permitting tab

    Then click "Apply for a permit."

  3. Select your permit type

    • Building permits in 1 & 2 family homes that do not need plan review: repair or replace building permit
    • Electrical permits to remodel an existing space: repair or replace electrical permit
    • Plumbing permits that do not require plan review: repair or replace plumbing permit
    • HVAC permits that do not require plan review: repair or replace HVAC permit

  4. Applicant information

    If you are the homeowner and you will be doing the work, click yes. 

    Click "Select from Account" 

  5. Contractor

    To add a new licensed professional, click the Select from Account or Add New button. To edit a licensed professional, click the Edit link.

    If your account is new and you're a contractor, staff will need to associate your license to your account.

  6. Address

    Enter the Street No. and the first 3 or 4 letters of the Street Name. Leave everything else blank and click Search. You will know your search was successful when the “Street Type” field populates.

    Tip: Less information is more. Make sure not to include street type in the Street Name box.

  7. Plan review

    Confirm that your project does not require plan review.

  8. Permit detail

    Fill out the permits details (vary depending on the type of permit).

Online Payments

Even if you cannot apply for a permit online, you can still pay for it on the online portal. Staff will set up your permit and add you as the licensed professional. You can see your permits in the "search for permits" tab. To pay, click Pay Fees Due. Once you make a payment and we finish the reviews, we'll email you your issued permit.

Now you can schedule inspections. 

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1 & 2 Family Residential