Blog
Insights on building permits, zoning, and municipal compliance
Dane County Permits: What the County Handles vs. Your City or Town
In Dane County, cities and villages run their own permitting entirely, while the county handles zoning, shoreland, and land-division permits for unincorporated towns — except six that opted out and zone themselves.
Hennepin County Permits: Why Your City — Not the County — Issues Your Building Permit
Hennepin County hasn't issued a building permit in decades — each of its 45 cities enforces the Minnesota State Building Code on its own. Here's what the county still permits, and who to actually contact.
Milwaukee County Suburbs: Every City and Village Issues Its Own Permits — Here's How to Navigate Yours
Milwaukee County's 19 municipalities each run their own building permit office under the shared statewide Uniform Dwelling Code — here's how Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Franklin, Wauwatosa, West Allis, and the rest actually differ.
Getting a Building Permit in Chicago: Permit Types, Review Paths, and What Triggers One
A city-specific guide to how Chicago's Department of Buildings issues building permits, covering the Express Permit Program, Standard Plan Review, Self-Certification, Developer Services, zoning review, and landmark requirements.
Illinois Has No Statewide Residential Building Code — Here's What Governs Your Project Instead
Illinois has no comprehensive statewide residential building code — home-rule cities and counties adopt and enforce their own, while the state sets only narrower minimums for plumbing, energy, and accessibility.
Getting a Building Permit in Madison, Wisconsin: UDC Enforcement, Zoning Review, and the Application Process
A step-by-step guide to how the City of Madison, Wisconsin issues building permits, covering Building Inspection, Uniform Dwelling Code and zoning review, permit exemptions, trade permits, and how to apply online.
Getting a Building Permit in Minneapolis: What Requires One and How the Process Works
A plain-English, source-verified guide to Minneapolis building permits: which department handles them, what needs one, how trade and zoning review work, and how to apply and get inspected.
The Minnesota State Building Code: One Code, Many Administrators
Minnesota has a single statewide building code, but enforcement splits between cities, counties, and the state depending on where your property sits — here's who actually handles your permit.
Getting a Building Permit in Saint Paul: DSI, the State Code, and What Triggers a Permit
A city-specific guide to how Saint Paul's Department of Safety and Inspections issues building and trade permits under the Minnesota State Building Code, what work triggers a permit, and where zoning and historic review fit in.
The Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, Explained: Who Enforces It and What It Covers
Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code sets one statewide construction standard for one- and two-family homes, but it's enforced locally by cities, villages, towns, counties, or the state, and it has nothing to do with your local zoning rules.
The Homeowner's Guide to Zoning Variances
A plain-English guide to how to get a zoning variance: the difference between area and use variances, the unnecessary hardship standard, board of appeals hearings, public notice, fees, and the documents you need to prepare.
When Does a DIY Project Become a Code Problem?
The line between a weekend project and a code problem isn't about how hard the work is — it's about what you touch. Here's how to tell when DIY needs a permit.