Getting a Building Permit in Madison, Wisconsin: UDC Enforcement, Zoning Review, and the Application Process

Direct Answer: In the City of Madison, building permits are issued by Building Inspection, a division of the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development (DPCED). Building Inspection administers the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code for one- and two-family homes and the state commercial code for larger buildings, and coordinates with Zoning staff to confirm a project meets Madison General Ordinances Chapter 28 before or alongside permit issuance. Most new construction, additions, decks, and trade work (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) need a permit; a short list of minor work does not. This guide covers who does what, what needs a permit, and how to apply — for properties inside the City of Madison only; other Dane County municipalities and unincorporated towns follow different rules.

Verified against official City of Madison sources: July 10, 2026. Requirements change — confirm with Building Inspection before applying.

Key Takeaways

• Permits are issued by Building Inspection, part of DPCED, at 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 017 — the Plan Review and Permit Counter is by appointment only, no walk-ins.
• Madison administers the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS 320-325) for one- and two-family dwellings, and the state commercial code (2021 International Building Code plus Wisconsin SPS amendments) for larger buildings — see the current building codes page.
• New construction, additions, decks, pools, and electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work generally need a permit; the City lists a short set of exceptions — wall-mounted cabinet swaps, fences, landscaping, patios, radon mitigation — though some still need zoning sign-off.
• Zoning compliance under Chapter 28 of the Madison General Ordinances is checked with the building permit; variances go to the city's Zoning Board of Appeals under MGO §28.205.
• Homeowners doing their own work on their own residence can apply directly for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits; contractors must have a current license on file with the City.
• Properties in a local historic district or designated a landmark need a Certificate of Approval from the Landmarks Commission before Building Inspection can issue a permit.

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Who Issues Building Permits in Madison?

Building permits inside city limits are issued by Building Inspection, a division of DPCED. Building Inspection reviews plans, issues building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits, and performs inspections; it works alongside Zoning staff on land-use and setback questions from the same office — the Development Services Center, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 017, phone 608-266-4551. The Plan Review and Permit Counter sees the public by appointment only; Building Inspection does not serve walk-ins.

What Codes Does Madison Enforce?

Madison administers state code rather than writing its own. For one- and two-family dwellings, the city enforces the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code — Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters SPS 320 through 325, covering construction, HVAC, energy conservation, electrical, and plumbing standards, plus the National Electrical Code. For commercial buildings (generally three-plus units or non-residential occupancies), Madison follows the 2021 International Building Code with Wisconsin SPS amendments, plus the International Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, and Fire Codes as adopted by the state. The City publishes exact code editions on its current building codes page — check it before finalizing plans, since editions change. For a plain-English walkthrough of what the Uniform Dwelling Code requires, see GovCodex's Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code explainer.

Do I Need a Permit for My Project?

Most construction, alteration, and trade work in Madison requires a permit. The table below reflects categories the City lists on its permits page and 1- & 2-family residential page.

Not sure which column your project falls into? Call Building Inspection at 608-266-4551 (ext. 2 for building/trade, ext. 3 for zoning) before starting. Even exempt projects can trigger zoning review — a fence too close to a lot line, for example. Weighing a deck specifically? See GovCodex's deck permit guide.

How Does Zoning Review Fit Into the Permit Process?

Every Madison property sits in a zoning district defined by Chapter 28 of the Madison General Ordinances, which sets permitted uses, height, lot coverage, and setbacks — the minimum distance a structure must sit from a property line. Zoning compliance is checked alongside the building permit, not as a separate step you can skip; Building Inspection and Zoning staff share the same office. If a project doesn't meet a zoning standard — an addition encroaching into a required setback, for instance — it generally needs a variance from the city's Zoning Board of Appeals, whose authority over variances and appeals is established under MGO §28.205. The Board holds a public hearing, with notice to neighboring property owners, before deciding. For more on what a setback is and why it matters, see GovCodex's setback explainer.

How Do I Apply for a Building Permit in Madison?

1. Confirm your zoning district and setbacks. Contact Zoning staff (608-266-4551 ext. 3, zoning@cityofmadison.com) before finalizing plans, especially near a property line.
2. Check for historic-district or landmark status. If your property is a local landmark or sits in a historic district, get a Certificate of Approval from the Landmarks Commission before applying for a building permit.
3. Determine which permits you need. Building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits are tracked separately — see the permit list for your project type.
4. Choose the right application path. Routine repair/replacement electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits can be applied for online through the City's Licenses & Permits portal (Accela Citizen Access). New construction, additions, and anything requiring plan review needs a scheduled Building Inspection appointment; walk-ins aren't served.
5. Submit plans and data sheets. For 1- and 2-family projects, submit the Building Data Sheet and applicable trade data sheets once plans are approved, or immediately if plan review isn't required; digital plan submittal is accepted.
6. Pay fees and receive your permit. Fees vary by project type, value, and square footage, and include plan review, inspection, and state seal components — see the official fee schedule for current rates.
7. Schedule inspections as work proceeds. Call 608-266-4551 ext. 1; requests before 8:30 a.m. can often get same-day service, Monday through Friday.

Who Pulls Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Permits?

Madison's online permit portal accommodates both licensed contractors and owner-occupants doing their own work. If you own the property and are performing the work yourself, you can apply for the electrical, plumbing, or HVAC permit directly. If you hire a contractor, the City verifies and attaches their license to the permit — Wisconsin generally requires state-credentialed electrical and plumbing contractors and journeyman/master tradespeople for this work under DSPS rules. Either way, the work must pass the same inspections. Check with your lender first if financing the project, since some lenders require a licensed contractor regardless of state owner-occupant allowances.

Does My Project Need Historic or Landmarks Review?

Madison has five local historic districts and 184 individually designated local landmarks, regulated by the city's Landmarks Commission. If your property is a designated landmark or sits within a local historic district, you need a Certificate of Approval for exterior changes, demolition, or new construction — and the City instructs applicants to get that approval before applying for the building permit. Smaller projects may be approved administratively by staff; larger changes go to the full Landmarks Commission. See the City's Landmarks & Construction in Historic Districts page for details and application contacts.

What Will It Cost, and How Long Will It Take?

Building Inspection fees combine plan review, construction inspection, and a state seal fee, and vary by project type, total square footage, and (for alterations) project value — see the official fee schedule rather than assuming a flat number. The City also doesn't publish one universal review timeline; turnaround depends on project complexity, whether plan review is required, and current workload, so confirm timing with Building Inspection when you schedule your appointment.

Does This Guide Apply Outside the City of Madison?

No. This guide covers permits and zoning issued by the City of Madison only. Other Dane County municipalities — Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, Verona, McFarland, the Town of Madison, and others — run their own building and zoning departments with their own rules and fees. Unincorporated Dane County towns are zoned and permitted through Dane County Planning & Development, not the City of Madison; in many towns a county zoning permit is required before a town building permit can even be issued. If your property isn't inside Madison's city limits, check with your municipality or the county directly. For the broader county picture on variances, see GovCodex's Madison-area zoning variances guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a deck in Madison?

Yes. Decks are listed as requiring a building permit on the City's own permit list, whether it's new or an alteration to an existing deck. See GovCodex's deck permit guide for more detail.

Can I pull my own electrical or plumbing permit as a homeowner?

Yes — if you own the property and are doing the work yourself, Madison's online permit portal lets you apply directly rather than through a licensed contractor. You still need to pass the same inspections as a licensed tradesperson would.

What happens if my property is in a historic district?

You need a Certificate of Approval from the city's Landmarks Commission for exterior changes, demolition, or new construction, and you're expected to get it before applying for your building permit, not after.

Where do I apply for a permit online?

Through the City's Licenses & Permits portal at elam.cityofmadison.com (Accela Citizen Access), which handles routine trade permit applications, inspection scheduling, and status lookups. Projects requiring plan review still need a scheduled Building Inspection appointment.

Verify the Rules for Your Property

Every property's zoning district, setbacks, and permit requirements differ. Check GovCodex's Madison permit catalog for jurisdiction-specific detail, or run a permit check to get a property-specific read on what your project needs before you apply.