Waukesha, WI Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

03 requires permits from the Department of Community Development, with all fees paid, before construction, improvement or alteration of buildings or structures (including sheds and decks), demolition or moving of buildings, new or changed commercial occupancy, re-entry into condemned premises, installing new or recovered awnings, or occupying a street or alley. Applications go through forms the Department publishes and must be submitted electronically along with plans, specifications, and surveys. The Chief Building Inspector issues the permit only after confirming the plans comply with the Code and state law, all fees are paid, and any required outside approvals are obtained; the Inspector may issue a partial permit for part of a project at his or her sole discretion.

Permits expire 24 months after the approval date. A renewal application filed with the Renewal Fee at least 60 days before expiration extends the permit up to 12 months beyond its original expiration; once a permit lapses without renewal, the applicant must file for an entirely new permit and pay the full fee again, and all work must stop until a new or renewed permit issues. The Chief Building Inspector may suspend or revoke any permit obtained through a false application, fraud or deceit, willful refusal to correct a violation order, or if an inspector is denied site access, and no construction may continue after suspension. 03.