Sheboygan, WI Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Sheboygan requires a building permit for building work under Municipal Code Chapter 26, Article II. Section 26-36 adopts the Wisconsin Uniform Building Code prepared by the Building Inspectors' Association of Southeastern Wisconsin as the city's building code, and § 26-37 adopts Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters SPS 316, 320 through 325, 360 through 366, 367 and 381 through 387 along with the International Property Maintenance Code. The permit threshold sits in the fee schedule of § 26-38. Note 1 exempts minor alterations under $400.00 of materials or $800.00 total materials and labor unless the work requires structural alterations, and it requires a permit for all fences, stairways and porches or rescue platforms located above the first floor.

Fees depend on the type of work. The minimum fee is $50.00, with fences and stairways at $40.00. A one- or two-family residence is $400.00 for the first 2,000 square feet of habitable area, and additions, detached garages and accessory buildings are $0.30 per square foot. Pools, in-ground or above-ground, and spas are $10.00 per $1,000.00 of valuation with a $50.00 minimum, and plan examination for a one- or two-family residence is $75.00. Square footage is figured from exterior dimensions, including the garage and each finished floor level, and unfinished basements are left out. Under Note 5, no building permit issues until municipal sewer and water service is adjacent to the site or a contract has been let and installation is in progress.

Other permits sit alongside it. Demolition needs its own permit from the division of building inspection under § 26-40, and the demolished structure must be removed within 14 consecutive days of starting. Section 26-42 requires an occupancy permit from the building inspection department for a commercial building that is newly built, altered, converted in use or vacant for more than one year, at $50.00 per residential unit or $250.00 for office, commercial and industrial. Under § 26-44, permits for existing buildings, accessory structures and new commercial buildings expire six months after issue and are void if work does not start within 30 days or stops for more than 60 days, while a new-dwelling permit expires 24 months after issue. A lapsed permit means a new permit at the regular fee. Private garage size is left to the Sheboygan Zoning Ordinance under § 26-41.