Milwaukee County, WI — County-Administered Permits
Permit types Milwaukee County administers directly — mainly unincorporated areas and towns without their own building department
How permitting works in Milwaukee County
Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS 320–325) applies statewide to 1- & 2-family dwellings; municipalities (or their contracted UDC inspectors) administer it locally. Commercial buildings follow SPS 361–366 with DSPS or delegated plan review. Zoning, fences, signs, and right-of-way work are regulated by local ordinance; shoreland/floodplain standards flow from NR 115/116 via county and municipal ordinances.
Development Center
Building / Alteration Permit Application
Verified official formSchema derived from City of Milwaukee's published building / alteration plan-exam and permit application; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing. Milwaukee accepts these through the Land Management System (LMS); plan sets and supporting documents are uploaded separately.
Electrical Permit Application
Verified official formMilwaukee requires a licensed electrician to pull electrical permits except for limited homeowner-exempt items (switches, dimmers, lighting fixtures). Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published electrical permit application; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing. Milwaukee accepts these through the Land Management System (LMS); plan sets and supporting documents are uploaded separately.
Plumbing / Gas Piping Permit Application
Verified official formA homeowner may pull a plumbing permit and do the work in an owner-occupied single-family home; two-family or non-owner-occupied work requires a licensed plumber. Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published plumbing plan / gas piping permit application; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing. Milwaukee accepts these through the Land Management System (LMS); plan sets and supporting documents are uploaded separately.
HVAC / Boiler / Furnace Permit Application
Verified official formSchema derived from City of Milwaukee's published HVAC / boiler / furnace / AC-refrigeration plan-exam and permit application; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing. Milwaukee accepts these through the Land Management System (LMS); plan sets and supporting documents are uploaded separately.
Certificate of Occupancy Application
Verified official formA Certificate of Occupancy is required before opening a business, church, agency, school, or organization in a new or existing building, and for parking lots and commercial storage buildings. Published fee: $275 under 10,000 sq ft; $425 for 10,000 sq ft or more (verify current amounts with the Development Center). Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published Occupancy Application (filed in the Land Management System); verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing. Milwaukee accepts these through the Land Management System (LMS); plan sets and supporting documents are uploaded separately.
Residential Solar PV Permit Application
Verified official formMilwaukee publishes a streamlined 1 & 2 family solar permit process; the city fee schedule notes no building permit fee for a PV system on a 1- or 2-family dwelling in qualifying cases (verify with the Development Center). Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published Residential Solar Permit Process info sheet and solar permit worksheet; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing. Milwaukee accepts these through the Land Management System (LMS); plan sets and supporting documents are uploaded separately.
Neighborhood Services
Fence Permit Application
Verified official formAll fences in the City of Milwaukee require a permit (front/side yards limited to 4 ft, rear yards to 6 ft; historic districts require a Certificate of Appropriateness first). Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published residential and commercial fence permit applications; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing.
Sign Permit Application
Verified official formAll signs in the City of Milwaukee require a permit (Chapter 295 sign regulations); feather signs, inflatables, banners, and sandwich boards are prohibited and require a variance. Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published sign permit application; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing.
Wrecking / Raze (Demolition) Permit Application
Verified official formIssued by the DNS Condemnation Section; only bonded and insured wrecking contractors may obtain the permit. A signed water affidavit (or approved hydrant permit) is required, non-condemned properties carry a 16-working-day hold, and certain residential structures require deconstruction (effective March 1, 2025). Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published Demo/Raze Permit Packet; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing.
Private Swimming Pool Permit Application
Verified official formSchema derived from City of Milwaukee's published private swimming pool info sheet and permit application; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing.
Erosion Control & Stormwater Permit Application
Verified official formSchema derived from City of Milwaukee's published erosion control certification, check sheet, and stormwater management info sheets; verify current form and fees with the Development Center before filing.
Board of Zoning Appeals
BOZA Variance Appeal Application
Verified official formBOZA charges a $100 filing fee to open a variance appeal (verify current amount). Heard by the City of Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA), a quasi-judicial body. The Affidavit (all appeals) and Plan of Operation (special use / use variance) are required exhibits. Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published BOZA application forms; verify current forms and fees with the Development Center / BOZA office before filing.
BOZA Special Use Appeal Application
Verified official formBOZA charges a $100 filing fee to open a special use appeal (verify current amount). A Plan of Operation is required; day care centers/schools, group living facilities, motor-vehicle uses, filling stations, and assembly halls require additional documents. Heard by the City of Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA), a quasi-judicial body. The Affidavit (all appeals) and Plan of Operation (special use / use variance) are required exhibits. Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published BOZA application forms; verify current forms and fees with the Development Center / BOZA office before filing.
BOZA Administrative Appeal Application
Verified official formAppeal of an administrative zoning decision or order to BOZA. BOZA charges a $100 filing fee (verify current amount). Heard by the City of Milwaukee Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA), a quasi-judicial body. The Affidavit (all appeals) and Plan of Operation (special use / use variance) are required exhibits. Schema derived from City of Milwaukee's published BOZA application forms; verify current forms and fees with the Development Center / BOZA office before filing.
Public Works
Driveway Approach / Curb Cut Permit Application
Verified official formFor a new or modified driveway approach / curb cut connecting to a city street (Milwaukee Code § 115-23). Applied for through the "Public Works" tab of the City of Milwaukee Land Management System, governed by Milwaukee Code Ch. 115. Schema derived from the City of Milwaukee DPW public-way permit application; verify current form and fees with the Department of Public Works before filing.
Street Opening / Excavation Permit Application
Verified official formExcavation / opening in a city street, terrace, or right-of-way (Milwaukee Code Ch. 115). Note: work in a Milwaukee County highway right-of-way requires a Milwaukee County DOT excavation permit instead. Applied for through the "Public Works" tab of the City of Milwaukee Land Management System, governed by Milwaukee Code Ch. 115. Schema derived from the City of Milwaukee DPW public-way permit application; verify current form and fees with the Department of Public Works before filing.
Temporary Occupancy of Public Way Permit Application
Verified official formFor temporarily occupying a city street, lane, terrace, or sidewalk (dumpsters, PODs, staging, scaffolding) during a project (Milwaukee Code Ch. 115). Applied for through the "Public Works" tab of the City of Milwaukee Land Management System, governed by Milwaukee Code Ch. 115. Schema derived from the City of Milwaukee DPW public-way permit application; verify current form and fees with the Department of Public Works before filing.