Certificates of Occupancy
Before a building can be occupied, a certificate of occupancy (CO) must be issued.
Building permit fees include the $10 CO fee. There is no separate application for a CO where there is a building permit.
1 and 2 family homes
The building permit includes a CO in the following situations:
- All new homes. In 2-unit buildings, each unit requires a separate CO.
- Adding a second unit to an existing single-family home to create a 2 unit
- Combining two units to create a single dwelling unit
Alterations or additions that do not change the number of units in the dwelling do not need a CO.
To get a CO for a 1 and 2 family home, you need to have completed all required inspections for your project.
- Building
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Plumbing
To request a CO, please email binspection@cityofmadison.com.
Commercial buildings:
The building permit includes a CO in the following situations:
- New buildings.
- Note: If completing the project in stages (ex. one floor of an apartment or single units as they are ready), each stage needs a CO. Each extra CO is $150.
- Alterations for new tenants (including buildouts of shell or white-box spaces)
- A change of occupancy where there is no alteration to the building, but the new use is a higher hazard level than the previous use as defined in IEBC chapter 10
To get a CO for a commercial project, you need to have completed all requirements for your project.
- Building inspections
- Electrical inspections
- HVAC inspections
- Plumbing inspections
- Fire Department inspection
- Submitted a compliance statement completed by your supervising professional to binspection@cityofmadison.com.
- Note: Your supervising professional must be a registered architect or engineer in Wisconsin.
To request a CO, please email binspection@cityofmadison.com.
Zoning only:
A zoning only CO is required where there is a new tenant, but no change in use as defined in the IBC or increase in hazard category as defined in the IEBC.