Download/Print Permit Applications

• Building Permit Application
• Plumbing Permit Application
• Electrical License Application
• Electrical Permit Application
• HVAC Permit Application
• Inspection Request Form
• WI Uniform Building Permit

General List of Projects and Permit Requirements

When is a permit required? 
In order to protect the safety, health and welfare of the citizens of the City, permits are required before most construction related projects begin.

Permits issued through the Building Inspection Department include building, plumbing, mechanical (HVAC), electrical,  swimming pools, and a number of other miscellaneous permits. If you are building new or making addition or remodeling changes, repairs, or alterations to any structure such as your office, home, basement, deck, or storage shed, a building permit is required before you begin construction.   The purpose of permits is ensure that work is done properly and safely, and meets the standards of the State Building Code and Local Ordinances.

What if I don’t get a permit?
Permits are required by State Statutes and Local ordinances.  If you don’t get one when you should, the City can fine you for the violation for every day the work is not in compliance.  This can be expensive for you.  Projects not done according to Code can affect your home’s insurability and potential sale.  Prospective buyers can check the City’s building records.

Can I do my own work?
Except for plumbing or electrical during initial new construction of a home, and electrical service equipment, if you own the home and live in it as your primary residence, you can do your own work.  All the work must be done to Code and while the inspectors can answer Code related questions you may have, they cannot help design the project for you.

How long does it take to get a permit?
We can issue most permits within two to three working days.  Permits for new commercial and residential construction require plan review time. The State of Wisconsin Administrative code allows the City to take 10 working days to review residential building plans, and 15 working days to review commercial building plans.

How do I get a permit?

It is the responsibility for the owner or owner’s agent to obtain all necessary permits and payment of all fees related to a project (i.e. structural, electric, plumbing and HVAC). 

Before your permit can be approved, you need to submit the following information:

New One and Two Unit Dwelling(s)

• Permit Application form completed.
• Two sets of Building plans.  (Plans must be to scale and show window and door size, and include a wall section.)
• Detailed site plan showing distances to all lot lines from existing and proposed structures.
• Energy Worksheet form completed.  (Also known as heat loss calculations.)
• Erosion Control Plan with site plan showing control measures.

Additions to One and Two Unit Dwelling(s)

• Permit Application form completed.
• Two sets of Building plans.  (Plans must be to scale and show window and door size, and include a wall section.)
• Detailed site plan showing distances to all lot lines from existing and proposed structures.
• Energy Worksheet form completed.  (Also known as heat loss calculations.)
• Erosion Control Plan with site plan showing control measures.

Interior Remodeling

• Permit Application form completed.
• Two sets of Building plans-before and after. (Plans must be to scale and show window and door sizes.)

Garage, Shed, Deck or Similar Construction

• Permit Application form completed.
• One set of Building plans.
• Detailed site plan showing distances to all lot lines from existing and proposed structures.

Multi-Family Residential (greater than 2 units) And Commercial/Industrial Construction

New Construction Early Start Permit (FOOTINGS/FOUNDATION ONLY)

• 1 Set of Footing/Foundation Plans.  (The plans shall include Architect/Engineer seal and signature.)
• EVIDENCE THAT ANY AND ALL PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONS ARE COMPLIED WITH.
• Permission to Start Construction letter from State
• Permit Application form completed.

New Construction, Additions and Alterations-Building and Trades Permit

• 2 Sets of Building Plans.  (The plans shall include Architect/Engineer seal and signature.)
• 2 Sets each of Sanitary Plumbing Plans, Storm Water Plumbing Plans, HVAC Plans, Building Lighting Plans. (The plans shall include Architect/Engineer seal and signature.)
• 2 Sets of Automatic Sprinkler/Standpipe Plans.  (If the building is to have one or both of the above named systems, two sets of plans shall be submitted and approved before the installation of any pipe begins.)
  Note:  The Fire Dept. may request to be on hand for the hydrostatic test and the flushing of the pipe.  The Fire Department is required to witness and sign off on the final hydrostatic test, forward flow & backflow preventer tests performed on the sprinkler system. All testing is to be performed by the installing agency.
• 2 Sets of Fire and Smoke Alarm System Plans.  (If the building is to have one or both of the above named systems, two sets of plans shall be submitted and approved before the installation of the system.)
  Note: The Fort Atkinson Fire Department is required to witness and sign off on the final test of the system. All testing is to be performed by the installing agency.
• EVIDENCE THAT ANY AND ALL PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONS ARE COMPLIED WITH.
• Permit Application form completed.

Permit Fees

All areas*- Areas included for fee calculation purposes shall include all floor levels, basement, attached garages, decks, porches, and all spaces enclosed and under roof.
Total cost** - includes labor and materials for that particular project.

NEW CONSTRUCTION AND ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

Building Fees.
Minimum permit fee shall be $25
Fee Determined by Building Type and Size
 
One & Two Family Dwellings 
New Construction - $0.15 per Square Foot
(finished area and garage)
Additions and Alterations/Remodels - $0.15 per Square Foot
Plan Review - $75 up to 2000 Square Feet, $0.15 per Square Foot over 2000 Square Feet
State One & Two Family Stamp  - $35.00 (actual cost plus $5.00)
Erosion Control - $50 per project
Occupancy Permit - $100 per Unit
Raze Permit - $50
Moving Building - $75
Reinspect Fee - $50

Commercial/Industrial/Multi-Family Residential
New Construction - $0.20 per Square Foot
Additions & Alterations - $0.20 per Square Foot
Process Fee/Building Plan Review –
$250 When not State Approved
$75 When State Approved
Erosion Control - $100
Occupancy Permit - $150
Minimum Permit - $25
Reinspect Fee - $50

Electrical Fees.
Electrical permit fees shall be the sum of:
minimum Fee - $25:
Fee Determined by the following:
Houses & Duplexes:
Up to 1,000 Square Feet - $70/Unit
1,001 to 2,000 Square Feet - $90/Unit
2,001 to 3,000 Square Feet - $100/Unit
3,001 and over -  $110/Unit
Multi-Family (3 units and above) - $50/Unit

Services
0 to 100 Amperes -     $20
101 to 200 Amperes - $25
201 to 400 Amperes - $30
401 to 600 Amperes - $40
Over 600 Amperes -   $50
Feeder or Subfeeder - $6
Remodeling and Additions Electrical:
Outlets & Fixtures, Lighting - $0.75 per
Direct Wired Appliances ( dishwasher, disposal, fans, smoke detectors, door openers) - $5 per
220V Outlets - $5 per
Pole or Area Lighting Signs - $10 per
Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning:
Electric heating devices - $5 per
Oil or Gas heating units - $10 per
Exhaust fans - $5 per
Air Conditioning - $10 per
Motors and Controllers - $10 per
Miscellaneous:
(generators, transformers, reactors, rectifiers, capacitors, heaters, converters, and similar devices) - $10 per
(moving picture, x-ray machines, therapeutic equipment, and similar equipment) - $10 per
(communications circuits) - $5 per

Plumbing Fees.
Minimum Fee - $25:
$6 per fixture ( catch basin, shower, tub, floor drain, ice machine, irrigation system, backflow preventor, clothes washer, sanitary bubbler, sinks, water softener, urinals, lavatories, water closets, mop sink, hose bibb, bar & soda fountain, disposals, pumps & ejectors, water heater, other)
Sewer & water Laterals - $75 per

Heating/Ventilating/Air Conditioning Fees.
New Furnace & Duct Work - $60
New Air Conditioning - $45
Replacement Furnace - $35
Replacement Air Conditioning - $35
New & Replacement Air Handling Units - $60
New & Replacement Unit Heaters - $25
New & Replacement Boilers - $35
Exhaust Systems - $25
Fireplace - $35
Wood Stove - $35
Other Misc. - $25 per

MISCELLANEOUS PERMIT FEES
Above Ground Swimming Pool - $35
Below Ground Swimming Pool - $35
Fence - $25
Misc. Inspections - $50
Moving of Building/Structures - $75
Demolition - $50 per building
Permit to Start Construction  - $75
Sign Permit Fee - $25 per
Failure to obtain any required Certificate of Occupancy prior to occupancy  - $221

Delinquent Permit Penalty - A penalty equal to the amount of the permit fee at the time of application shall be assessed whenever the required permit is not obtained prior to commencing work.

What about inspections?  Local Ordinances, State Statutes and State Administrative Code require that the project be inspected at different times throughout the construction process. The permit holder is responsible for contacting our office to schedule these inspections. While they vary by project, the following is a list of typical inspections:

• Building Footings
• Building Foundation
• Building Drain Tile
• Under Floor Plumbing
• Building Electric Service (temporary & permanent)
• Building Rough Inspections
  • Framing
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC
  • Insulation
• Final Inspections For Occupancy
  • Building
  • Electrical
  • Insulation
  • Energy
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC
  • Erosion Control

Other Information

General Information for Commercial Projects

Key boxes: Key boxes are required to be installed in a location approved by a City of Fort Atkinson Fire Department Inspector. Order forms can be obtained from the City of Fort Atkinson Fire Department.

Occupancy:
No building or portion thereof shall be occupied before an inspector from the City of Fort Atkinson Building Inspector’s office and the City of Fort Atkinson Fire Department have conducted a final Occupancy Inspection, and any violations found are corrected.
At the time Occupancy is granted, all necessary keys will be locked in the key box.

Codes

• All construction and energy related methods must comply with the current Chapter COMM 21 and 22 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code also known as the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.

• All wiring methods must comply with the current National Electric Code and Chapter COMM 16 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

• All plumbing methods must comply with the current Chapters COMM 81-84 of the Wisconsin Administrative Codes and must be installed by a Wisconsin licensed plumber.

• All heating, ventilation, and air conditioning methods must comply with the current Chapter COMM 23 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code also known as the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.

• The Wisconsin Administrative Codes may be downloaded from the Department of Commerce Safety and Buildings Website:
  http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-HomePage.html

Diggers Hotline

www.diggershotline.com  (800) 242-8511
Plan ahead! Give Diggers Hotline a call at least three working days prior to the start date of your excavation. The call center is open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, but the busiest times are Monday and Tuesday mornings.