Who can apply for a permit?
For one and two family dwellings:
- Owner occupants working on an alteration/addition in a single family home can get building and mechanical permits.
- Owner occupants building a new house can get a building permit. Only licensed professionals can apply for mechanical permits.
- Owner non-occupants working on one and two family rentals need licenses to get a permit. Licensed professionals must apply for building and mechanical permits.
- Owners living on one side of a duplex can get building permits only for both sides. Licensed professionals must apply for mechanical permits for both sides.[1]
- Owners living on one side of a 2-unit where each side has a different owner can only have a building permit for their side.
Owners, be aware of s. 101.65(1r)! If you hire someone to work under your permit, and they are not insured as required by s. 101.654 (2)(a), you are responsible for the work and any injury or damage that may result from it.
[1] Section 101.654(1)(b), Stats., exempts an owner of a dwelling who resides or will reside in the dwelling and who applies for a building permit to perform work on the dwelling from obtaining a dwelling contractor financial responsibility certification.
“Dwelling” means any building that contains one (1) or two (2) dwelling units. SPS 320.07(25)
