Bolthole Index

Madison County, New York

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Madison, New York

The Village of Madison in Madison County requires building permits for work that must conform to the New York Uniform Code, subject to limited exceptions.1 The county's published land-use table reports no village zoning ordinance, but its underlying survey is old enough that buyers should confirm the current position with the Madison Village Clerk.23 Madison County Public Health handles septic guidance, soil-test observation and review of alternative onsite systems.4

At a glance

Building permit
Required for work that must conform to the Uniform Code, with limited exceptions1
Zoning
County table reports no village zoning ordinance; confirm that status before relying on it2
Construction inspections
Required at applicable stages of permitted work5
Final approval
Certificate of occupancy or compliance required for permitted work6
Septic
County Public Health reviews alternative systems and observes soil tests4
RV living
No village residential-occupancy rule confirmed; ask the Village Clerk before relying on an RV2
Tiny home
No zoning-based minimum dwelling size reported, but building-code requirements still apply78

Who to call

Also useful

Madison Village Clerk

Village contact point for identifying the current building-code, zoning, utility and floodplain officials

315-893-1894

7358 US Route 20 PO Box 333 Madison, NY 13402

Septic permits

Madison County Public Health — Water & Septic (Individual Systems)

Septic placement guidance, percolation and deep-hole test observation, and review of alternative onsite wastewater systems

315-366-2361

[email protected]

138 N Court Street - Building 5 Wampsville, NY 13163

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Madison means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Village of Madison, New York?

Yes. Inside the Village of Madison, building permits must be required for work that must conform to the New York Uniform Code, although limited exceptions are allowed.1 The Uniform Code applies throughout New York outside New York City and establishes minimum construction standards.9

Construction covered by a building permit is subject to inspections of applicable stages, and the permit holder must keep the work accessible and exposed until the municipality accepts it.5 A certificate of occupancy or compliance is required for work covered by a building permit and when the general occupancy classification changes.10 Ask the Madison Village Clerk to identify the current code-enforcement official, application and local exceptions before starting work.3

Who issues building permits in the Village of Madison?

We could not confirm from an official current page which office issues building permits inside the Village of Madison. The New York framework ordinarily places Uniform Code administration with the local authority having jurisdiction, but counties or the Department of State can take over after a local opt-out.11

Start with the Madison Village Clerk at 7358 US Route 20 or 315-893-1894 and ask for the current code-enforcement official, building-permit application, fee schedule and inspection contact.3 The Village Clerk should also identify whether another municipality or contracted inspector administers the program. Do not use a Town of Madison permit form until the Village confirms that it applies inside village limits.

Does the Village of Madison have zoning?

Madison County's land-use table reports that the Village of Madison has no zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, site-plan review or planning board.212 The same table is based on a survey from 2008, so confirm with the Madison Village Clerk that no later local law changed that result before treating a parcel as unzoned.23

On the reported status, the Village has no zoning-based minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setbacks, lot-coverage limit or building-height limit.713141516 That does not remove state building and fire rules, septic constraints, highway requirements, utility rules or private restrictions. The Uniform Code still applies inside the Village.8

How do septic permits work inside the Village of Madison?

Madison County Public Health provides septic placement guidance, observes percolation and deep-hole tests, and reviews and approves alternative onsite wastewater designs and construction.4 The county's published fee schedule lists a $125 residential individual sewage-disposal-system base fee and $125 per system for onsite wastewater treatment plan approval and inspection.17

The reviewed material does not establish that every conventional septic installation inside the Village follows the same county permit path.18 Call Public Health before ordering a design and ask whether the parcel must use public sewer, which site testing is required and what approval applies to the proposed system.19 Countywide soil data rate only 11.9% of soils as free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, making parcel-specific testing important.20

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in the Village of Madison?

We could not confirm a Village of Madison rule that allows full-time RV occupancy or temporary residential camping on private land. The statewide campground rule applies to state campgrounds, not residential use of a private village parcel. Ask the Madison Village Clerk for a written answer on the proposed parcel and intended duration.3

The county table reports no village zoning-based minimum dwelling size, but that does not exempt a tiny home from the Uniform Code.78 Work that must conform to the Uniform Code requires a building permit, subject to limited exceptions, and permitted work requires a certificate of occupancy or compliance before use.16 Confirm sanitation, water, access and any utility-connection requirement before buying or placing either type of unit.

Building a home in the Village of Madison: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Madison Village Clerk to identify the current code-enforcement official and confirm whether any newer zoning, site-plan, subdivision or floodplain law applies.23
  2. Resolve water and wastewater early; Madison County Public Health observes soil tests and reviews alternative onsite wastewater designs.419
  3. Obtain the correct building-permit application and approval before beginning work that must conform to the Uniform Code.1
  4. Keep permitted work accessible and exposed for applicable construction inspections.21
  5. Obtain the certificate of occupancy or compliance required for permitted work before occupying the home.10
  6. If the residence fronts a state highway, obtain a NYSDOT permit before building or modifying the driveway.22

What should you check before buying land in the Village of Madison?

Confirm first that the parcel lies inside Village boundaries, then ask the Village Clerk for the current code-enforcement and floodplain contacts.3 Official county materials conflict on whether the Village currently has a floodplain ordinance, so do not assume that mapped flood-hazard development is exempt from local review.

Verify public water and sewer availability before relying on a private well or septic system; no current Village connection rule or private-well permit rule was confirmed. Where onsite wastewater may be possible, contact Madison County Public Health before fixing the house location.19 Madison County's effective property-tax rate is 2.3%, and the median annual property-tax bill is $4,058, both county-level figures rather than parcel quotes.2324 If access is from a state highway, a NYSDOT driveway permit is required for a new or modified residential driveway.25

Watch-outs

  • The Village's reported lack of zoning rests on an older survey; confirm current local law with the Madison Village Clerk before buying or designing.23
  • Madison County Public Health clearly reviews alternative onsite systems, but the reviewed page does not establish one universal approval rule for every conventional septic system.26
  • The current Village building-permit office, local fee schedule, residential RV rule, utility-connection rule and floodplain process could not be confirmed; start with the Madison Village Clerk.3

Sources

  1. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  2. Land Use / Zoning | Madison County, NY (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  3. Madison Village Clerk (madisoncounty.ny.gov)
  4. Water & Septic - Individual Systems (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  5. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  6. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  7. Land Use / Zoning | Madison County, NY (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  8. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  9. Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  10. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  11. New York Executive Law § 381 (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Land Use / Zoning | Madison County, NY (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  13. Land Use / Zoning | Madison County, NY (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  14. Land Use / Zoning | Madison County, NY (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  15. Land Use / Zoning | Madison County, NY (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  16. Land Use / Zoning | Madison County, NY (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  17. Plan Review Fee 1.1.2024, quoted and re-checked
  18. Water & Septic - Individual Systems, quoted and re-checked
  19. Madison County Public Health — Water & Septic (Individual Systems) (madisoncounty.ny.gov)
  20. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Village of Madison), quoted and re-checked
  22. Residential Driveway Permits (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Residential Driveway Permits (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Water & Septic - Individual Systems, quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Madison

Village of Madison’s own rules

  • Local zoningAbsent

    Land inside Madison village, New York.

    • The official county table identifies its underlying source as a 2008 survey; confirm any later village enactment before relying on the absence determination.
    “Villages | Comprehensive Plans | Zoning Ordinances | Subdivision Regulations | Site Plan Review | Planning Board [...] Madison | No | No | No | No | No”
  • Zoning districtsNot published

    Village zoning districts inside Madison village.

    • The table records no village zoning ordinance, so it does not identify zoning districts.
    • The county table identifies its underlying source as a 2008 survey; confirm any later village enactment before relying on the absence determination.
    “Villages | Comprehensive Plans | Zoning Ordinances | Subdivision Regulations | Site Plan Review | Planning Board [...] Madison | No | No | No | No | No”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeNone

    Zoning-based minimum dwelling size inside Madison village.

    • The source indicates no village zoning ordinance.
    • This does not establish absence of Uniform-Code construction requirements.
    • The county table identifies its underlying source as a 2008 survey; confirm any later village enactment before relying on the absence determination.
    “Villages | Comprehensive Plans | Zoning Ordinances | Subdivision Regulations | Site Plan Review | Planning Board [...] Madison | No | No | No | No | No”
  • Minimum lot sizeNone

    Zoning-based minimum lot size inside Madison village.

    • The source indicates no village zoning ordinance.
    • Septic, subdivision, public-health, and utility requirements may impose separate site constraints.
    • The county table identifies its underlying source as a 2008 survey; confirm any later village enactment before relying on the absence determination.
    “Villages | Comprehensive Plans | Zoning Ordinances | Subdivision Regulations | Site Plan Review | Planning Board [...] Madison | No | No | No | No | No”
  • SetbacksNone

    Zoning-based setbacks inside Madison village.

    • The source indicates no village zoning ordinance.
    • State building, fire, highway, utility, and health requirements may independently constrain placement.
    • The county table identifies its underlying source as a 2008 survey; confirm any later village enactment before relying on the absence determination.
    “Villages | Comprehensive Plans | Zoning Ordinances | Subdivision Regulations | Site Plan Review | Planning Board [...] Madison | No | No | No | No | No”
  • Lot coverageNone

    Zoning-based lot-coverage limits inside Madison village.

    • The source indicates no village zoning ordinance.
    • The county table identifies its underlying source as a 2008 survey; confirm any later village enactment before relying on the absence determination.
    “Villages | Comprehensive Plans | Zoning Ordinances | Subdivision Regulations | Site Plan Review | Planning Board [...] Madison | No | No | No | No | No”
  • Building heightNone

    Zoning-based building-height limits inside Madison village.

    • The source indicates no village zoning ordinance.
    • State building and fire requirements may independently constrain construction.
    • The county table identifies its underlying source as a 2008 survey; confirm any later village enactment before relying on the absence determination.
    “Villages | Comprehensive Plans | Zoning Ordinances | Subdivision Regulations | Site Plan Review | Planning Board [...] Madison | No | No | No | No | No”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Individual onsite wastewater systems inside Madison village.

    • Madison County Public Health performs the stated review, approval, testing observation, compliance guidance, and nuisance investigation functions.
    “Review and approve alternative onsite waste water disposal system designs and construction to minimize potential health hazards and the contamination of surface and groundwater.”
  • Subdividing landNot regulated

    Village subdivision regulation inside Madison village.

    • The table records no village subdivision regulations.
    • New York General Municipal Law referral requirements and other non-village approvals may still apply.
    • The county table identifies its underlying source as a 2008 survey; confirm any later village enactment before relying on the absence determination.
    “Villages | Comprehensive Plans | Zoning Ordinances | Subdivision Regulations | Site Plan Review | Planning Board [...] Madison | No | No | No | No | No”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Madison

Village of Madison does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Building permitRequired

    Work inside Madison village that must conform to the New York State Uniform Code or Energy Code.

    • The state source describes the requirement as applying to work complying with the Uniform Code.
    • Local code-enforcement programs may allow limited categories of work to be exempt from the permit requirement where Part 1203 allows it.
    • A permit does not authorize work violating the Uniform Code, Energy Code, or other applicable law.
    “Building permits must be required for any work which is required to conform to the Uniform Code. Certain exceptions are permitted.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    The New York State Uniform Code applies inside Madison village.

    • The Uniform Code exception stated by the source is New York City.
    • parameters are subject to any validly approved more-restrictive local standard.
    “The Uniform Code is automatically in effect in each city, town, and village in the State (except New York City) by directive of the State Legislature.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Building construction inside Madison village under the New York State Uniform Code.
      “The Uniform Code, which took effect on January 1, 1984, prescribes the minimum standards for building construction in New York. It is applicable in every part of the State with the exception of New York City, which is currently permitted to retain its own code.”
    • Adopted — Buildings and structures inside Madison village, except New York City.
      “The Uniform Code is a state-wide fire prevention and building code adopted pursuant to Article 18 of the Executive Law (§§ 370 through 383). The Uniform Code is applicable in all parts of the State except New York City (which has its own construction code).”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction work inside Madison village for which a building permit has been issued.

    • The permit holder must keep work accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted.
    • Inspection requirements vary by the applicable construction elements and code-enforcement program.
    • Regular periodic inspections are not required for owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings unless invited or a public-health, safety, or welfare hazard exists.
    “Inspections of certain specified elements of the construction process must be required. Building permits holders must keep work accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the municipality.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Uniform-Code construction inside Madison village.
      “Inspections of certain specified elements of the construction process must be required. Building permits holders must keep work accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the municipality.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Work inside Madison village requiring a building permit and changes in general occupancy classification.

    • A certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance is required for permitted work and when the general occupancy classification changes.
    • Local code-enforcement programs may require certificates for additional categories of work.
    “A certificate of occupancy or a certificate of compliance must be required (1) for all work for which a building permit was required and (2) whenever the general occupancy classification of a building is changed.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Work inside Madison village that is the subject of a building permit.
      “Lastly, pursuant to 19 NYCRR Part 1203 issuance of a certificate of occupancy/compliance is “required for any work which is the subject of a building permit.””
    • Required — Work inside Madison village requiring a building permit and changes in general occupancy classification.
      “The code enforcement program shall provide that, except as provided in section 1203.3 (d)(4), permission to use or occupy a building or structure, or portion thereof, for which a building permit was previously issued, or which has been converted from one use or occupancy classification or subclassification to another, shall be granted only by issuance of a certificate of occupancy or a certificate of compliance.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Alternative onsite wastewater systems and related septic testing inside Madison village.

    • County Public Health observes percolation and deep-hole tests and reviews alternative-system designs.
    • The source does not establish inspection requirements for every existing or conventional septic system.
    “Provide guidance on septic system placement and observe percolation and deep hole tests.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Madison or Madison County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders performing construction inside Madison village.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Madison village.
  • Septic permit — Septic systems inside Madison village.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation inside Madison village.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Madison village.
7 more unanswered
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Madison publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Madison County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Madison County: county rules, score and offices