Building Safety in Dane County, WI (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Building Permits
In Dane County's unincorporated towns, a zoning permit from the zoning administrator is required before erecting a new building, expanding an existing one, changing a building's land use, replacing a sign, or building a covered enclosure for domestic fowl. Accessory buildings of 120 square feet or less on non-permanent foundations are exempt.
Dane County Zoning Permit For Construction
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 10.101(1)(a)-(c), (g)
(1) Zoning Permits. (a) Zoning permits required. Unless specifically exempted below, the following activities may not occur until the zoning administrator, or his or her designee, issues a zoning permit specific to the use and premises: 1. Erection or construction of any new building. 2. The addition to, or structural alteration or expansion, horizontally or vertically of, any existing building...
Plumbing Permits
Dane County requires a sanitary permit before anyone installs, repairs, modifies, enlarges, converts, reconnects or structurally alters a private sewage system, per ch. 46.07(1)(a): the county's plumbing-permit equivalent for septic-connected properties outside Madison, Sun Prairie and the other incorporated cities. The application must carry a licensed master plumber's signature, and the resulting permit stays valid for two years.
Dane County Septic & Plumbing Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 46.07(1)(a); ch. 46.08(1)(c)
46.07(1)(a): No person shall install, repair, modify, extend, enlarge, convert, reconnect or structurally alter a private sewage system or any component thereof unless the owner of the property on which the private sewage system is located holds a valid sanitary permit. ... 46.08(1)(c): Before a private sewage system is installed, repaired, altered, enlarged, extended, converted or re-connected...
Building Inspections
Before a septic system in unincorporated Dane County gets covered up, the division has to see it: ch. 46.11(1) requires an inspection after construction but before backfilling, no later than the end of the next workday once the installing plumber gives notice. Notice is due by 9 a.m. the day the system is expected ready, and a licensed plumber must be on site.
Dane County Septic System Inspection Rules
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 46.11(1)
46.11(1): The division shall inspect all private sewage systems and non-plumbing sanitary systems after construction but before backfilling no later than the end of the next workday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after receiving notice from the plumber in charge. Notice from the plumber in charge shall be given by 9:00 A.M. of the day the system is anticipated to be ready for inspe...
Building Safety by City in Dane County
4 cities in Dane County have their own building safety rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
10 verified rules • Building Permits, Carbon Monoxide Detectors
3 verified rules • Building Permits, Electrical Permits
6 verified rules • Building Permits, Door Locking Hardware
3 verified rules • Building Permits, Electrical Permits
All Dane County ordinances
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