Appleton, WI Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Municipal Code Sec. 4-66(a) bars anyone from excavating for a structure or building, or constructing, enlarging, altering, removing, or demolishing one, or changing its occupancy from one use to another requiring greater strength, exit, or sanitary provisions, or to a prohibited use, or installing or altering wiring, electrical, plumbing, heating, or ventilating facilities regulated by the building chapter, without first filing a written application with the Inspection Supervisor and obtaining the required permit. Ordinary repairs that do not violate the chapter are exempt from this requirement.

Subsection (b) defines that exemption narrowly: ordinary repairs may be done without an application, but the exemption never covers cutting away a wall or partition, removing or cutting a structural beam or bearing support, removing or changing a required exit, or any addition, alteration, replacement, or relocation of a standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, gas, waste, or vent piping, electrical wiring, or other work affecting public health or general safety. The application process in Sec. 4-67 requires the owner, lessee, or their licensed architect or engineer to submit the applicant's name and address, a description of the proposed work and its location, three copies of plans and specifications drawn to scale, and a plot plan showing the new construction, existing structures, and distances from lot lines.

Sec. 4-70 requires the Inspection Supervisor to examine each application within 48 hours and either reject it in writing with reasons or issue the permit as soon as practicable if it conforms to all applicable laws. Sec. 4-161 sets the permit fee schedule by building type and use, covering one- and two-family dwellings, multifamily buildings, commercial and industrial structures, alterations, demolition, building moves, swimming pools, fences, and erosion control, with exact fee amounts kept on file in the City Clerk's office.