Middleton, WI Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- City of Middleton Plumbing Inspector
- Leak/stoppage repairs
- Exempt from permit requirement
- Plan review trigger
- 12+ fixtures in non-1-2-family buildings
- State license
- Required under Wis. Stat. ch. 145
- Not-ready inspection fee
- $40.00 per inspection
- Max first-offense forfeiture
- $3,500 under § 30.04
Summary
The City of Middleton adopts the Wisconsin State Plumbing Code to govern all drainage, drain laying, and plumbing citywide, and Municipal Code § 14.04(1) separately requires anyone doing plumbing or drain-laying work, other than fixing a leak or stoppage, to get a permit from the City Plumbing Inspector and pay the required fee before starting work.
The provisions and regulations contained in the Wisconsin State Plumbing Code adopted by the State Board of Health and such additional rules and regulations as may be adopted by said Board or may be adopted by the City shall extend over and govern all drainage and drain laying and plumbing in the City. ... No plumbing or drain laying shall be done in the City except in the case of repairing leaks or stoppages, without a permit being first issued therefor by the Plumbing Inspector and payment of the proper fee as hereinafter required.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 3 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
01. 04(1) requires a separate City permit before any plumbing or drain-laying work begins, with the narrow exception of repairing an existing leak or stoppage; the applicant must file a plan and application with the Plumbing Inspector, who must approve both before issuing the permit. 12. Every plumber or drain layer must also hold a Wisconsin state license under Wis. Stat. 05(1); the City does not issue its own separate trade license. 04(5) entitles each permit holder to as many inspections as are needed to confirm the work meets code, but a contractor who calls for an inspection before the work is ready can be assessed a $40 fee.
03, keeps a record of every permit and inspection and reports to the Council semi-annually and annually. 08). 04 penalty, up to a $3,500 forfeiture for a first offense.
Violations & Fines
Doing plumbing or drain-laying work, beyond a simple leak or stoppage repair, without a City permit violates § 14.04(1) and is punished through § 14.17's reference to Section 30.04: up to $3,500 for a first offense and $50 to $3,500 for a repeat violation, with jail time available in default of payment. Laying cracked or inferior pipe connected to a public sewer under § 14.08 is a separate violation, and an inspector who finds unready work can bill a $40 inspection fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to fix a leaking pipe in Middleton?
Who can legally do plumbing work in the City of Middleton?
What plumbing code does Middleton actually enforce?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Middleton
Compare Middleton to another location·View the Wisconsin building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Plumbing Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dane County handle plumbing permits.