Confirm who handles each approval
Official building guidance points to City of Sturgeon Bay Building Inspections. Zoning responsibility can vary by parcel.
Municipal permit guide
City of Sturgeon Bay, WI permit planning guide
Plan your project in City of Sturgeon Bay, WI: review likely approvals, preparation items, and official references before you file.
Local guidance available Permit forms and fees are verified for this area. Reviewed July 28, 2026
Best first step
Find the approvals for your parcel, not just a generic form.
Start with the property address. GovCodex uses it to identify the parcel, zoning authority, overlays, and the mix of municipal, county, and state approvals that can apply.
Prefills City of Sturgeon Bay, WI Checks authority by address
What are you building?
Choose a common project or enter any description on the next screen.
Project preparation
Local application forms are available
Use the project type and property address together before choosing a form or paying a fee.
Before you file
Check the parcel details
Use the address check to confirm the current local offices, forms, and requirements before filing.
Project-specific preparation
What can trigger review and what to prepare
These project checks highlight situations that can add an approval. Your property address and project scope determine what applies.
Common approval triggers
City zoning approval
Required for all new buildings, additions, and use changes. Structures under 100 sq ft do not require a permit (official city zoning page) but must meet setbacks.
City of Sturgeon Bay Zoning AdministratorSource
Fence permit ($50)
Required for fences built after 2021.
City of Sturgeon BaySource
Impervious surface review
For lots in R-4, C-1, C-4, and C-5 only, combined roofed, paved, and other impervious surfaces may not exceed 70% of lot area. Existing lots already over 70% are exempt only if there is no further net increase.
City of Sturgeon Bay Zoning AdministratorSource
Building Permit (Wisconsin UDC)
UDC building permit for new dwellings/structures via the city building inspector.
City of Sturgeon Bay Building InspectorSource
Accessory building standards
For single-family and two-family dwellings: maximum two accessory buildings; total floor area may not exceed the greater of 1,000 sq ft (single-family) or 1,200 sq ft (two-family), or 3% of land area, capped at 2,000 sq…
City of Sturgeon Bay Zoning AdministratorSource
State Highway 42/57 setback
West of Bayview Bridge: 50-ft setback (C-1 Elgin/Duluth carve-out). North of the bridge: 200 ft, reducible to 100/80 ft with approved vegetative screening.
City of Sturgeon BaySource
Preparation order
A practical order for project planning
Use this sequence to organize the work. The property address and project scope determine which steps actually apply.
City zoning approval
Required for all new buildings, additions, and use changes. Structures under 100 sq ft do not require a permit (official city zoning page) but must meet setbacks.
Fence permit ($50)
Required for fences built after 2021.
Impervious surface review
For lots in R-4, C-1, C-4, and C-5 only, combined roofed, paved, and other impervious surfaces may not exceed 70% of lot area. Existing lots already over 70% are exempt only if there is no further net increase.
Building Permit (Wisconsin UDC)
UDC building permit for new dwellings/structures via the city building inspector.
Accessory building standards
For single-family and two-family dwellings: maximum two accessory buildings; total floor area may not exceed the greater of 1,000 sq ft (single-family) or 1,200 sq ft (two-family), or 3% of land area, capped at 2,000 sq…
State Highway 42/57 setback
West of Bayview Bridge: 50-ft setback (C-1 Elgin/Duluth carve-out). North of the bridge: 200 ft, reducible to 100/80 ft with approved vegetative screening.
Responsibility by office
Who may handle the approvals
Separate offices can review different parts of the same project. Confirm the parcel-specific split before filing.
City of Sturgeon Bay Zoning Administrator
Accessory building standards
City of Sturgeon Bay
State Highway 42/57 setback
City of Sturgeon Bay Building Inspector
Building Permit (Wisconsin UDC)
Fee signals
Published fee examples
Use these to anticipate cost structure. Confirm the adopted schedule and project calculation before filing.
HVAC Permit — detached accessory structure
minimum $40 · $0.05 per sq. ft. · Reviewed accessory HVAC §B. Only include when confirmed in project scope.
View fee sourcePlumbing Permit — detached accessory structure
minimum $40 · $0.05 per sq. ft. · Reviewed accessory plumbing §B. Only include when confirmed in project scope.
View fee sourceBuilding Permit — detached accessory structure
minimum $50 · $0.12 per sq. ft. · Reviewed detached garages/sheds/storage buildings §B. Source SHA-256 93bbf4beaf8abcfc5f620b8b5356f5c761fe0b7fc986c1e5113acc52b0531232; §E aggregate administration applies only when its conditions are confirmed.
View fee sourceElectrical Permit — detached accessory structure
minimum $40 · $0.05 per sq. ft. · Reviewed accessory electrical §B. Only include when confirmed in project scope.
View fee sourceElectrical Permit — addition/remodel (0–500 sq ft)
Base fee $50 · Reviewed SB-FEES-2026-02-17 (effective 2026-02-17; SHA-256 93bbf4beaf8abcfc5f620b8b5356f5c761fe0b7fc986c1e5113acc52b0531232). §A.2 applies to residential additions/remodels/alterations/decks: building $.12/sq ft, $75 min; trades retain the publi…
View fee sourcePlumbing Permit — addition/remodel (0–500 sq ft)
Base fee $50 · Reviewed SB-FEES-2026-02-17 (effective 2026-02-17; SHA-256 93bbf4beaf8abcfc5f620b8b5356f5c761fe0b7fc986c1e5113acc52b0531232). §A.2 applies to residential additions/remodels/alterations/decks: building $.12/sq ft, $75 min; trades retain the publi…
View fee sourcePreparation library
Browse forms only when you need them
Search by project or approval. Official forms and adaptable state templates are labeled separately.
Showing forms that match your project search.
Building Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jun 20, 2026Source
Building HVAC / Fire Alarm / Fire Sprinkler Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jun 20, 2026Source
Plumbing Plan Review Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jun 20, 2026Source
Street Tree Planting Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jun 20, 2026Source
Fence Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jun 20, 2026Source
Conditional Use Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jun 20, 2026Source
Variance Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jun 20, 2026Source
Zoning Map Amendment (Rezoning) Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jun 20, 2026Source
Zoning Board of Appeals — Appeal Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jun 20, 2026Source
Official references
Official sources for City of Sturgeon Bay, WI
Statewide sources describe the governing code regime. Locally verified sources identify the actual issuing office, form, or adopted schedule.
Official reference
City of Sturgeon Bay Applications and Fees
City of Sturgeon Bay, WI · checked July 28, 2026
Official reference
City of Sturgeon Bay Building Inspections
City of Sturgeon Bay, WI · checked July 28, 2026
Official reference
City of Sturgeon Bay Permit Fee Schedule
City of Sturgeon Bay, WI · checked July 28, 2026
Official reference
Fence Permit Application
City of Sturgeon Bay, WI · checked June 20, 2026
Official reference
Wisconsin Statewide Parcels V12
City of Sturgeon Bay, WI · checked July 28, 2026
Reference excerpts
Source excerpts for City of Sturgeon Bay, WI
These excerpts provide context from official materials associated with this municipality.
City of Sturgeon Bay - Chapter 9 - LICENSES AND PERMITS
(1)State statutes adopted. The provisions of ch. 125, Wis. Stats., regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol beverages, inclusive of any provisions thereof relating to the penalty to be imposed or the punishment for violation of such statutes, are hereby adopted and made a part of this chapter by reference. A violation of any such provisions shall constitute a violation of this chapter.(2)License fees. The following fees shall be chargeable for licenses issued by the city council for the sale of intoxicating liquors and fermented malt beverages within the city:(a)Class "A" license (also known as fermented malt beverage license for sale of fermented malt beverage in original container for off premises consumption only): $100.00 per year.(b)Class "B" license (also known as fermented malt beverage license for sale of fermented malt beverage over-the-bar and original container sale for on-premises and off-premises consumption): $100.00 per year.(c)"Class A" license (also known as intoxicating liquor license for sale of intoxicating liquor in original container for off-premises consumption only): $500.00 per year.(d)"Class B" license (also known as intoxicating liquor license for s
9.01 - Intoxicating liquors and fermented malt beverages · p. 1 · Open sourceCity of Sturgeon Bay - Chapter 18 - STANDARD GAS CODE
(1)All gas appliances and accessories hereafter installed, sold or offered for sale shall conform to reasonable standards of safety.(2)The presence on a gas appliance or accessory of a safety seal or label of a nationally recognized testing agency or a certificate or letter of approval from such agency or the inclusion of an appliance or accessory in the approved listing by such agency shall be prima facie evidence that such appliance or accessory conforms to reasonable standards of safety. Such nationally recognized testing agency shall be one qualified and equipped to perform and one that does perform periodic inspections of current models of gas appliances and accessories.(Code 1992, § 18.01)
18.01 - Safety standards · p. 1 · Open sourceCity of Sturgeon Bay - Chapter 11 - PUBLIC NUISANCES
No person shall erect, contrive, cause, continue, maintain or permit to exist any public nuisance within the City of Sturgeon Bay.(Code 1992, § 11.01)
11.01 - Public nuisances prohibited · p. 1 · Open sourceCity of Sturgeon Bay - Chapter 7 - TRAFFIC CODE
(1)Adoption. In accordance with the authority provided in § 349.06, Wis. Stats., and subject to the uniformity requirement of § 349.03, Wis. Stats., all existing provisions of and future amendments of chs. 340—348 and ch. 350, Wis. Stats., are adopted by reference in their entirety and incorporated herein as if set forth in full.(2)Penalties. Penalties for violations of these sections are deemed to be forfeitures.(3)Enactment of traffic regulations.(a)Authority of city council. The city council may enact traffic regulations that are not contrary to or inconsistent with chs. 341—348 and 350, Wis. Stats., or which are expressly authorized by §§ 349.06—349.25, Wis. Stats. or some other provision of the Wisconsin Statutes.(b)Repeal or revision of traffic regulations. The city council may repeal or revise traffic regulations as long as such action is not contrary to or inconsistent with chs. 341—348 and 350, Wis. Stats., or is expressly authorized by §§ 349.06—349.25, Wis. Stats., or some other provision of the Wisconsin Statutes.(Code 1992, § 7.01)
7.01 - State traffic and snowmobile laws adopted; enactment of traffic regulations · p. 1 · Open sourceCity of Sturgeon Bay - Chapter 25 - CONSTRUCTION AND EFFECT OF ORDINANCES
In the construction of this Code, the following rules shall be observed unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the ordinance:(1)Wisconsin Statutes. All references to "Wisconsin Statutes" or "Wis. Stats." shall mean the Wisconsin Statutes for the years 1993-94.(2)Gender, singular and plural. Every word in this Code and in any ordinance imparting the masculine gender may extend and be applied to females as well as males, and every word imparting the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or thing; provided these rules of construction shall not be applied to any provision which contains any express language excluding such construction or when the subject matter or context of such provision may be repugnant thereto.(3)Person. The word "person" extends and applies to natural persons, firms, corporations, associations, partnerships or other bodies politic and all entities capable of being sued, unless plainly inapplicable.(4)Acts of agents. When a provision requires an act to be done which may, by law, as well be done by an agent as by the principal, such requirement shall be construed to in
25.01 - Rules of construction · p. 1 · Open sourceFence Permit Application
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Official reference excerpt · p. 1 · Open sourceQuestions people ask
Sturgeon Bay permit FAQ
Where do I start for a project in City of Sturgeon Bay, WI?
Start with the property address. The parcel determines whether municipal, county, state, shoreland, floodplain, sanitary, transportation, or special-district approvals can apply.
Who handles building permits in Sturgeon Bay?
City of Sturgeon Bay Building Inspections is provided by City of Sturgeon Bay Community Development. Confirm the current filing process at the official source before submitting.
Who handles zoning approval in City of Sturgeon Bay, WI?
Zoning administration may sit with the municipality or county. Confirm the parcel authority before relying on statewide guidance.
Are the fees and forms on this page final?
No. Adopted fees, application versions, issuing offices, and required attachments can change. Verify the current official source before filing or paying a fee.
Do not guess from the municipality name.
Check which permits apply