Appleton, WI Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Municipal Code Sec. 4-291 states plainly that no plumbing shall be done in the city without a permit first obtained from the Inspections Supervisor and payment of the proper fee, and that such permits may be issued only to persons duly licensed to do plumbing under Wisconsin law. A narrow owner-occupant exception lets a person who actually owns and occupies a single-family residence do their own plumbing without a plumbing license, provided they secure a permit and the work fully conforms to all code requirements for workmanship, design, and materials; anyone assisting that owner must be a licensed master plumber.

Subsection (b) separately requires any person to obtain a permit before beginning active plumbing work. Sec. 4-262 adopts the Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS chapters 380 through 387 and Wis. ch. 145 by reference, governing all plumbing, private sewage disposal, and drainage work performed in the city. For new or relocated buildings, Sec. 4-293 adds three conditions before a plumbing permit issues: all unused sewer and water services to the premises must be sealed, a sewer permit and a building permit must already be issued, and any required connection fee under Sec.

20-3 must be paid. Sec. 4-294 bars issuing a permit to anyone who has failed to comply with the plumbing article, has a pending Inspections Supervisor order against them, or has been found or has willfully violated the article. Permits expire if work is suspended or abandoned for six months, or automatically after two years from issuance, per Sec. 4-295. Sec. 4-265 additionally requires a separate right-of-way permit, insurance filings, and a $5,000 permit bond for plumbing work performed in a public right-of-way.