1. Building Inspection Counter Appointments

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

Permits

Do I Need a Permit?

You can determine if you need a permit, however, this does not exclude you from getting approvals on projects that may NOT require a permit. Please contact Zoning Staff for further clarification: 608-266-4551.

ProjectNeed a Permit?Who Should I Contact?
Additions - One and Two FamilyYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Aerosol Products - manufacture, store or handleContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Amusement Buildings - operationContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Assembly, Places of - operationContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Attic - alterations or conversionsYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Aviation BuildingsContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Basement - alterations or conversionsYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Bathroom - alterationsYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Battery Systems - installContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
BeekeepingYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Cabinets
If you are only adding or replacing wall-mounted cabinets, you do not need a permit. More extensive work may require a permit.
NoBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Cellulose Nitrate Film - store, handle or useContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Central Air Conditioner - installYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Chickens - raisingYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Combustible Dust Producing OperationContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Combustible Fibers - storage or handlingContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Compressed Gases - storage, use or handlingContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Covered MallsContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Cryogenic Fluids - produce, store, transport on site, use, handle or dispenseContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Cutting or Welding - conduct operationsContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Deck - buildYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Demolition, of StructuresYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Door - replacementYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Drive Opening, Commercial - constructing or replacingContact Traffic EngineeringTraffic Engineering: 608-266-4761
Drive Opening, Residential - constructing or replacing (1-2 Family Residential with less than 4 stalls)
Obtain: Street Terrace Permit or Permit to Excavate in the Right of Way
YesEngineering: 608-266-4537
DrivewayYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Dry Cleaning & Dry DyeingContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
DrywallContact BIBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Dwelling Units, Change Number of - 1 & 2 Family ResidentialYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Dwelling Units, Change Number of - Other ResidentialYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Electrical Work, AllYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Excavating for ANY reason in the public right-of-way 
Obtain: Excavate in the Right-of-Way Permit
YesEngineering: 608-266-4751
Explosives - manufacture, storage, handling, sale or use ofYesFire: 608-266-4420
Fence - install or replaceNo (may need approvals)Zoning: 608-266-4551
FireplaceYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Flammable and Combustible Liquids - store, handle or useContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Furnace - installYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Garage - build or replaceYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Garage - demolishYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Garages, Repair or Service - operationContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Hazardous Materials - store, transport on site, dispense, use or handleContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Hazardous Production Materials (HDM) Facilities - store, handle or use hazardous production materialsContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Grading or Land Disturbance
Obtain: Erosion Control Permit
YesEngineering: 608-266-4751
Accessible Ramp, on private propertyYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Hot Tub, Whirlpool, Spa - installYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
House (One and Two Family) - AdditionYesZoning: 608-266-4551
House (One and Two Family) - New ConstructionYesZoning: 608-266-4551
InsulationContact Building InspectionBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Kitchen - alterationsYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
LandscapingNo (may need approvals)Zoning: 608-266-4551
LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) - install (500 - 1,999 gallons)YesFire: 608-266-4420
LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) - install (2,000 gallon or larger water capacity, or 4,000 gallon or larger aggregate water capacity)YesState of Wisconsin Department of Commerce
Lumberyards, Woodworking Plants, and Building Material Dealers - storage or processing of lumberContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Magnesium - melt, cast, heat treat, or grindContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Multi-Family Residential - New ConstructionYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Non-Residential - New ConstructionYesZoning: 608-266-4551
OccupancyYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Organic CoatingContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
ParkingYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Parking Slab (One and Two Family)YesZoning: 608-266-4551
PatioNoZoning: 608-266-4551
Plumbing - AllYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Pyrotechnic Special Effects MaterialContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Pyroxylin Plastics - storage, handling or the assembly or manufacture of articles involving Pyroxylin plasticsContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Rain Garden - installation in the street terrace or right of way
Obtain: Street Terrace Permit
YesEngineering: 608-266-4751
Roofing - Reroof your house or garageYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Sanitary Sewer - connect to
Obtain: Permit to Excavate in the Right of Way
YesEngineering: 608-266-4751
Sanitary Sewer Lateral - abandoning or plugging
Obtain: Permit to Plug Sanitary Sewer Lateral
YesEngineering: 608-266-4751
Screened PorchYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Sewer Deduct Meters - installYesWater Utility: 608-266-4646
Shed - build or replaceYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Shed - demolishYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Sidewalk or Residential Drive Apron in Right-Of-Way - replacing or constructing
Obtain: Street Terrace Permit
YesEngineering: 608-266-4751
Siding - replace on house or garageYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Signs and Street GraphicsYesZoning: 608-266-4551
Solar Energy System - installYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Spraying or Dipping - conduct a spraying or dipping operation utilizing flammable or combustible liquids or the application of combustible powdersContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Storage, High-PiledContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Storage of Scrap Tires, Tire ByproductsContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Storage Tank, containing flammable / combustible / hazardous liquid - install (Less than 5,000 gallons)YesFire: 608-266-4420
Storage Tank, containing flammable / combustible / hazardous liquid - install (5,000 gallons or larger)YesState of Wisconsin Department of Commerce
Storage Tank, containing flammable / combustible / hazardous liquid - removal or closureYesFire: 608-266-4420
Storm Sewer - connect to
Obtain: Permit to Excavate in the Right of Way
YesEngineering: 608-266-4751
Storm Sewer Lateral - abandoning or plugging
Obtain: Permit to Plug Storm Sewer Lateral
YesEngineering: 608-266-4751
Street EncroachmentYesOffice of Real Estate Services: 608-266-4222
Street OccupancyYesTraffic Engineering: 608-266-4761
Street Terrace, alterations (sidewalk, terrace, drive apron)YesEngineering: 608-266-4751
Swimming PoolYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Trees on the street terrace - planting, maintenance, and removalContact City ForestryForestry: 608-266-4816
Waste Handling - operation of wrecking yards, junkyards and waste material-handling facilitiesContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Water Heater - installYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Water Meter (City of Madison) - change the location, its inlet or outlet, valves, the meter bypass, or meter test pipingYesWater Utility: 608-266-4646
Water Service (City of Madison) - install, connect to existing, or replaceYesWater Utility: 608-266-4646
Water Softener - installYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Windows & Frames - replaceYesBuilding Inspection: 608-266-4551
Wood Products - store chips, hogged material, lumber or plywoodContact FireFire: 608-266-4420
Was this page helpful to you?