Permit FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
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 including building, plumbing, mechanical (HVAC), electrical, swimming pools and a number of other miscellaneous permits. If you are building new or making additions or remodeling changes, repairs or alterations to any structure such as your office, home, basement, bathroom, deck or storage shed, a building permit is required before you begin construction. The purpose of permits is to ensure that work is done properly and safely and meets the standards of the State Building Code and Local Ordinances.
Permits issued through the Building Inspection Department including building, plumbing, mechanical (HVAC), electrical, swimming pools and a number of other miscellaneous permits. If you are building new or making additions or remodeling changes, repairs or alterations to any structure such as your office, home, basement, bathroom, deck or storage shed, a building permit is required before you begin construction. The purpose of permits is to ensure that work is done properly and safely and meets the standards of the State Building Code and Local Ordinances.
Permits are required by State Statutes and Local Ordinances. If you do not obtain a permit when you are required, you could be fined for the violation for every day the the work is not in compliance. This can be expensive. Projects not done according to code can affect your home's insurability and potential sale. Prospective buyers can check the City's building records.
Except for plumbing or electrical, during initial new construction of a home, electrical service equipment, if you own the home and live in it as your primary residence, you can do your own work. All of the work must be done to Code and while the inspector can answer Code related questions, they cannot help design the project for you.
We can issue most permits within two or 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.
Structural
Finishing or remodeling inside house: Yes
Replacement of roof structure: Yes
Reshingle or leak repair: No
Replacement of sidin:g No
Replacement of windows same size or smaller: No
Additions: Yes
New or addition to existing deck: Yes
Non-structural repair of existing deck: No
Install new fence or add to existing fence: Yes
Repair existing fence with same height and materials: No
Hot tub: Yes
Any non-portable pool: Yes
Sheds under 120 square feet and not on concrete slab: No
Sheds over 120 square feet or on concrete slab: Yes
Electrical
New wiring or replacement of existing wiring: Yes
New or upgraded service panel: Yes
Additional switches, outlets, light fixtures: Yes
Replacement of existing switches, outlets, light fixtures: No
Plumbing
Additional toilets, tubs, faucets, or other fixtures: Yes
Installation of new water softener/heater in house not previously plumbed for water softener/heater: Yes
Installation of new water softener in house previously plumbed for water softener or replacement of existing water softener: No
Repair or replacement of sewer or water laterals: Yes
Replacement of existing toilets, tubs, faucets, or other fixtures: No
HVAC
Replacement of existing or installationof a new furnace: Yes
Replacement of existing or installation of new central air conditioner: Yes
Finishing or remodeling inside house: Yes
Replacement of roof structure: Yes
Reshingle or leak repair: No
Replacement of sidin:g No
Replacement of windows same size or smaller: No
Additions: Yes
New or addition to existing deck: Yes
Non-structural repair of existing deck: No
Install new fence or add to existing fence: Yes
Repair existing fence with same height and materials: No
Hot tub: Yes
Any non-portable pool: Yes
Sheds under 120 square feet and not on concrete slab: No
Sheds over 120 square feet or on concrete slab: Yes
Electrical
New wiring or replacement of existing wiring: Yes
New or upgraded service panel: Yes
Additional switches, outlets, light fixtures: Yes
Replacement of existing switches, outlets, light fixtures: No
Plumbing
Additional toilets, tubs, faucets, or other fixtures: Yes
Installation of new water softener/heater in house not previously plumbed for water softener/heater: Yes
Installation of new water softener in house previously plumbed for water softener or replacement of existing water softener: No
Repair or replacement of sewer or water laterals: Yes
Replacement of existing toilets, tubs, faucets, or other fixtures: No
HVAC
Replacement of existing or installationof a new furnace: Yes
Replacement of existing or installation of new central air conditioner: Yes
- Permit Application form completed.
- Two sets of Building plans. One set of plans should preferably be submitted via email in a PDF format if possible.(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.
- Permit Application form completed.
- Two sets of Building plans. One set of plans should preferably be submitted via email in a PDF format if possible. (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.
- Permit Application form completed.
- Two sets of Building plans-before and after. One set of plans should preferably be submitted via email in a PDF format if possible. (Plans must be to scale and show window and door sizes.)
- Permit Application form completed.
- One set of Building plans.
- Detailed site plan showing distances to all lot lines from existing and proposed structures.
New Construction Early Start Permit (FOOTINGS/FOUNDATION ONLY)
New Construction, Additions and Alterations-Building and Trades Permit
- 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. One set of plans should preferably be submitted via email in a PDF format if possible. (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. One set of plans should preferably be submitted via email in a PDF format if possible. (The plans shall include Architect/Engineer seal and signature.)
- 2 Sets of Automatic Sprinkler/Standpipe Plans. One set of plans should preferably be submitted via email in a PDF format if possible. (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. One set of plans should preferably be submitted via email in a PDF format if possible. (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.
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:
Final Inspections For Occupancy
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
