Permits

Are you thinking about a home remodeling project? 

Start by clicking here and reviewing "A Brief Guide for Permits in Whitefish Bay."

Important Notice

The following list of Building Services Department permits is not all-inclusive. This list contains common projects that require permits in the Village of Whitefish Bay. If you have any questions regarding a project, please contact the Building Services Department at 414-962-6690.

Owner Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the property owner or his / her delegated agent to procure the proper permit(s) for a specific project. The property owner is wholly responsible for any actions taken on their property. A permit must be applied for and issued prior to the commencement of any project. Failure to obtain proper permits will result in a four times permit fee.

Do I Need a Permit?

This quick alphabetical reference guide will help you determine if a permit is required for a specific project. It also describes any additional requirements for the submittal of various permits. If you are unsure if a permit is required, please call 414-962-6690. This list is not intended to be inclusive of all permit requirements.  A list of permit documents in PDF form is below. 

Project
Permit(s) RequiredAdditional Information
Addition 1 or 2 Family HomeYesARC approval required. Various permits required. Contact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext. 111.
Alteration/Remodel  1 or 2 Family HomeYesARC approval may be required for exterior modifications. Various permits required
Addition Commercial BuildingYesCDA approval required. Various permits required. Contact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext. 111. 
Alteration/Remodel Commercial BuildingYesVarious permits required. Contact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext. 111.
Alternative Energy System - Solar, Wind, etc.YesVarious permits required. Contact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext. 111.
Air Conditioner -new or replacementYesHVAC and Electrical permit required
ArborsyesBuilding permit required
Basement Alteration/RemodelYesVarious permits required. Contact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext. 111.
Attic Alteration/RemodelYesVarious permits required. Contact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext. 111.
Bathroom RemodelYesVarious permits required. Contact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext. 111.
Bathtub/Shower tile work, Tub/Shower Insert or Faucet/Mixing valveYesVarious permits required. Contact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext. 111.
Car chargerYesElectric permit required
Chimney -new, repair, rebuildYesBuilding permit required
Chimney - linerNoN/A
Commercial Building -new occupancy or change/alteration of useYesPossible Plan Commission approval. Contact Assistant Manager 414-755-6539. NSFD inspection required.
Construction or placement of object(s) within Village right-Of-WayYesROW permit required. Contact Staff Engineer 414-755-6523
DeckYesBuilding and Zoning permit required.
Demolition -any structureYesBuilding Demolition/Raze permit required. Contact Building Services Dept. 414-962-6690 ext. 111
DishwasherYesPlumbing and Electrical permits required
Door replacementMaybePermit is required if changing door size
Driveway - portion in Right-Of -WayYesROW permit required. Contact Staff Engineer 414-755-6523
Driveway - on private propertyNoDriveway must be located on private property and not directing the flow of water at the neighbor
Ductwork -supply, return, dampers, etc.YesHVAC and permit required.
Electrical workYesElectrical permit is required.
Erosion control and gradingYesContact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext.111
Exhaust fans (bathroom, kitchen, etc.)YesElectric and HVAC permit required
Fence - new or replacementYesFence permit required.
Fill - Solid or OtherwiseYesContact Staff Engineer 414-755-6523
Fire Alarm or other signaling deviceYesElectrical permit is required. Contact NSFD 414-228-0246 for additional requirements.
Foundation Repair (includes beams, wall staightening, water proofing, draintiles, etc,)YesBuidling permit required./ Electrical and Plumbing permits may be required depending on scope of work.
FireplaceYesHVAC permit required. Other permits may be required.
Furnace, boiler, heat pump, etc.YesHVAC and Electrical permit required.
Garage - new or additionYesContact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext.111
Garbage disposal/grinderYesPlumbing permit required. Electrical permit may be required.
GeneratorYesElectrical permit required. Other permits possibly required
Irrigation systemsYesPlumbing permit required.
PergolasYesBuilding permit required
Parking PadYesZoning permit required
Plumbing (commercial building) - new, remodel, replacementYesPlumbing permit required. State approved plans required if more than 16 fixtures.
Plumbing (1 or 2 family) -new, remodel, replacementYesPlumbing permit required.
Pool, Spa, Hottub, etc.YesBuilding and Electrical permits required. Potenially the ARC may need to approve. Contact Building Services Dept. 414-962-6690 ext. 111
Radon systemsYesElectrical permit required.
Repairs - generalMaybeContact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext.111
Retaining wallsYesFence permit required.
Roofing - replacement, new, tear-offs, etc. (Residential or Commercial)YesRoofing permit required.
Sewer -  sanitary or stormYesPlumbing permit required.
Shed, Playhouse, Treehouse, etcYesContact Building Services Department 414-962-6690 ext.111
Supression Systems(fire sprinbklers) - this includes kitchen exhaust hood systemsYesContact NSFD 414-357-0113 ext 1101 for requirements
Sump pump/Sump crockYesPlumbing permit required. Electrical permit may be required.
SignsYesBuilding permit required. Electrical permit maybe required.
Stoops/Entry stepsYesBuilding permit requried
TrellisyesBuilding permit required
Water Heater/Softener/FilterYesPlumbing permit required
WindowsyesBuilding permit required

Permit Documents