Madison, WI Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Before any plumbing work begins
- Issuing agency
- Building Inspection Division, Dept. of Planning & Development
- License required
- Wisconsin DSPS-licensed plumber (owner exception, own home)
- Permit lapse
- Void if not started in 6 months, finished in 24
- No-permit penalty
- Double fee plus $100/day after stop-work notice
- New residential fee
- $0.09/sq ft, $25 minimum (Group I)
Summary
Any plumbing work in Madison needs a permit filed with the Building Inspection Division before work starts, under Madison General Ordinances § 18.08. Only a plumber licensed with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services may sign the application, except an owner-occupant may do their own single-family home's plumbing. Permits lapse if the work isn't started or finished on time.
(1)Any person desiring to do plumbing shall file a permit application with the City of Madison before starting any work, except as provided in Section 18.08(2), MGO... All permit applications shall be properly filled out and shall be signed by a person qualified as a licensed plumber registered with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services... (5)Plumbing permits shall lapse and be void unless the work authorized thereby is commenced within six (6) months from, and completed within twenty four (24) months of the date issued. Plumbing permits shall be eligible for an extension of a period of twelve (12) months from the date of expiration. Plumbing permits shall be eligible for a maximum of two extensions.
Full Breakdown
08(1) requires anyone doing plumbing in the City to file a permit application with the Building Inspection Division of the Department of Planning and Development before starting work, signed by a plumber licensed with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services; an owner may apply to do the work themselves only in a single-family residence they occupy. Minor repairs to an existing system don't need a separate application. 06 backs this up by making it unlawful to perform plumbing in Madison without a qualifying state license, though repairs and stoppages are excluded.
07(1), though the Division may issue a permit if review isn't finished within 10 days. 09 fee schedule. Permits lapse and become void if work doesn't commence within six months or finish within 24 months of issuance; up to two 12-month extensions are available at half the original inspection fee. 10, and piping must stay uncovered until approved.
Violations & Fines
Starting plumbing work without a permit doubles the required fee and adds a $100 penalty for every day the unpermitted work continues after a stop-work notice is delivered to the owner or contractor, per § 18.09. Occupying a building before final inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy under § 29.11 is also unlawful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a homeowner do their own plumbing in Madison?
How long is a Madison plumbing permit good for?
What happens if I start plumbing work without a permit?
Does Madison require plan review before plumbing work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
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Plumbing Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dane County handle plumbing permits.