City of Milwaukee websiteMilwaukee Department of City Development home
 ˇ Projects ˇ  Business Toolbox ˇ Planning/Permits ˇ City Real Estate ˇ Housing Resources ˇ Boards/Commissions ˇ About Us ˇ Search ˇ
     
Milwaukee Development Center    

 

    

 

 
   


 
  Development Center
  Planning and permits
  DCD

 
  City of Milwaukee 
  Office of Mayor Tom Barrett
   
   
   
   
   

 
 

  


Does it need a permit?

Please use this quick reference guide to determine if a permit is needed for a particular job.

Click on blue text to obtain further information about that topic in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. All of the pdf documents look the same as the printed information sheets and forms available at the Development Center. In order to view and print these documents, you must have version the free Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 4.0 or higher) installed with your Web browser.

To order permit applications, call the Milwaukee Development Center at 414.286-8211; at the prompt, press "4" and leave a message with your permit order.

The State of Wisconsin Building Code is on the Wisconsin Department of Commerce website.

Project Need a permit? For more
information…
Air conditioner Yes Call 286-8210
Asbestos abatement -- single family or duplex No Call 286-8674
Asbestos abatement -- 3 or more residential units Yes Call 286-8674
Asbestos abatement -- commercial building Yes Call 286-8674
Attic alterations or conversion Yes Call 286-8210
Banners hung from streetlight poles Yes Call 286-3329
Basement alterations or conversions Probably Call 286-8210
Bathroom -- remodel Probably Call 286-8210
Block party Yes Call 286-3329
Building cleaning (masonry building) Yes Call 286-8674
Cell phone antenna Yes Call 286-8210
Day care center Yes -- need occupancy permit Call 286-8210
Deck Yes Call 286-8210
Door -- brand new (one or two-family home) Yes Call 286-8210
Door -- new or replacement (commercial building) Yes Call 286-8210
Door -- replacement (one or two-family home) -- size of opening does not change No  
Door -- replacement (one or two-family home) -- size of opening becomes larger or smaller Yes Call 286-8210
Driveway Only the approach from the street requires a permit Call 286-8210
Electrical work -- ALL Yes -- contractor must be licensed Call 286-2532
Fence -- new Yes View/Print the Application
Or call 286-8210
Fence -- replace Yes View/Print the Application
Or call 286-8210
Festivals Yes Call 286-8208 and ask for Special Event permit pack
Fireplace Yes 286-8210
Furnace Yes Call 286-8210
Garage -- demolish Yes Call 286-2557
Garage -- new Yes Call 286-8210
Garage -- replace Yes Call 286-8210
Handicapped ramp Yes Call 286-8210
House (1 and 2 family) -- additions Yes Call 286-8210
House (1 and 2 family) -- new construction Yes Call 286-8210
House -- demolish Yes Call 286-2557
Hydrant use Yes Call 286-8210
Insulation No  
Landscaping Maybe Call 286-8210
Masonry building cleaning Yes Call 286-8674
New business Yes -- needs occupancy certificate Call 286-8210
Occupancy Yes Call 286-8210
Parade Yes Call 286-3329
Parking slab -- one or two-family home Maybe Call 286-8210
Parking slab -- commercial building or 3 or more residential units Yes Call 286-8210
Patio No  
Photo shoots Yes Call 286-3329
Plumbing -- commercial project Yes Call 286-3116
Plumbing -- multi-family home Yes Call 286-3361
Plumbing -- single-family, owner-occupied home Yes Call 286-3361
Pool Yes Call 286-8674
Public way -- use of Yes Call 286-8210
Retaining walls Maybe Call 286-8210
Roof -- tear off shingles No  
Roof -- new (with new rafters, etc.) Yes Call 286-8210
Roof -- replace shingles No  
Shed Yes Call 286-8210
Shingles -- new No  
Shingles -- replace No  
Sidewalk on private property No  
Sidewalk in front of home Probably Call 286-8210
Sidewalk -- use of Yes Call 286-8210
Sidewalk café Yes Call 286-2452
Siding Yes Call 286-8210
Signs Yes Call 286-8210
Stairs/steps Probably Call 286-8210
Street festival Yes Call 286-8208 and ask for Special Event permit pack
Street -- use of Yes Call 286-8210
Swimming pool Yes Call 286-8674
TV tower Yes Call 286-8210
Tent with 2, 3 or 4 sides Yes Call 286-8210
Tent with 3 or 4 open sides No  
Tent smaller than 600 s.f. No  
Water meter Yes Call 286-8210
Water service - branch Yes Call 286-8210
Water service - new Yes Call 286-8210
Water service - tap Yes Call 286-8210

 
 
  Milwaukee Department of City Development   ˇ    809 N Broadway   ˇ    Milwaukee, WI 53202   ˇ    Contact DCD