Remodel Permits in Fitchburg, WI: What Needs One

Do You Need a Permit in Fitchburg?

Yes permit neededNo no permitDepends depends on the workAsk not published, call the office

Project	Permit	What the rule says
Kitchen remodel	Depends	Interior remodeling is listed as permit work and goes on the 'Alterations and Repairs to Existing Buildings' application, which the City says covers even minor electrical or plumbing fixture changes. Only maintenance/upkeep repairs under $2,000 that don't affect structure, exits, light or a major piece of equipment are exempt, so a cabinets-and-counters-only swap may fall under that exemption; anything with plumbing, electrical or wall changes needs permits. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing.(source)
Bathroom remodel	Yes	The City's alteration permit explicitly covers plumbing fixture changes and interior remodels, so both an in-place fixture swap and relocated plumbing/new circuits need a permit. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work each need their own permit under Sec. 35-101. Permits: building, plumbing, electrical.(source)
Finish a basement	Yes	Basement finishing is listed as alteration work requiring a permit, with separate electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits for that work. Required inspections include rough framing/plumbing/HVAC/electric, insulation and final. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.(source)
Remove or move a wall	Yes	Removing or moving interior walls is an alteration requiring a building permit; the $2,000 maintenance exemption does not cover work affecting structural strength or exits. The City doesn't separate load-bearing from non-load-bearing walls, but a non-structural change under $2,000 might qualify for the inspector's waiver under Sec. 35-103; confirm first. Permits: building.(source)
Build or replace a deck	Depends	A 'Deck and Shed' permit (building plus zoning) is required for any deck whose floor is 24 inches or more above grade. Uncovered wood decks under 24 inches are exempt, but Planning/Zoning still asks to see a site plan for setbacks. Decks up to 4 ft high may intrude into the rear-yard setback but must stay 10 ft from side and rear lot lines; decks over 4 ft count as part of the house. Frost depth is not stated in the City's materials. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Replace deck boards or railings	Depends	Not addressed directly. Code exempts maintenance and upkeep repairs that cost $2,000 or less and don't affect structural strength, so in-kind board/railing replacement under $2,000 appears exempt; larger jobs or decks under 24 inches follow the deck rules above. Confirm with Building Inspection. Permits: building.(source)
Replace windows, same size	Yes	Window installation or replacement is on the City's list of work requiring a permit, including same-size replacement. Permits: building.(source)
New or larger window (egress)	Yes	Cutting a new or larger opening is a structural alteration and window installation is listed permit work; apply under 'Alterations and Repairs to Existing Buildings'. Permits: building.(source)
Replace exterior doors	Yes	Exterior door installation or replacement is on the City's permit list, including same-opening replacement. Permits: building.(source)
Re-roof	Yes	Re-roofing requires a building permit whether it is a tear-off or an overlay. Sheathing replacement is not separately addressed. Permits: building.(source)
Replace siding	Yes	Re-siding an existing structure requires a building permit. Permits: building.(source)
New flooring	Ask	Neither the Permit Requirements page nor Chapter 35 mentions flooring. Maintenance repairs under $2,000 that don't affect structure are exempt; the page also lists 'refinishing' under alterations, so larger flooring jobs are unclear. Call Building Inspection.
Replace a water heater	Yes	Water heater installation or replacement is listed as plumbing work requiring a permit. Permits: plumbing.(source)
Build a fence	No	No building or zoning permit is required for a fence, but zoning rules still apply: perimeter fences (within 5 ft of a lot line) max 6 ft and not forward of the house front; front-yard fences max 4 ft and at least 50% open; no chicken, woven, barbed, razor or electric wire. SmartCode-zoned lots follow Chapter 23. Call Digger's Hotline (811) before digging.(source)

Checked October 2026 against the City of Fitchburg sources listed below.

Who to Call

City of Fitchburg Building Inspection
Phone: 608-270-4240
Email: buildinginspection@fitchburgwi.gov
Permit office website

Applications are online only, through the city's OpenGov portal. Remodels go on the "Alterations and Repairs to Existing Buildings" application; decks on "Deck and Shed". Call at least 24 hours ahead for inspections.

Permit Fees

2026 schedule (file is still named FEESCHED_2025). Alterations and repairs to existing buildings: zoning fee $52 + $1.05 per $1,000 of construction cost; building 1.0% of building cost (residential minimum $125); electrical 1.8% of electrical cost (minimum $100); plumbing 1.6% (minimum $100); HVAC 1.6% (minimum $100). Construction cost includes labor and materials, estimated by the inspector. Deck permit $275 ($200 building + $75 zoning). Erosion control permit $300 residential. Extra or miscellaneous inspections $75 each, $100 for work done without a permit. Starting work before the permit is issued doubles the fee (Sec. 35-31 and the delinquent permit penalty).(fee schedule)

Worth Knowing in Fitchburg

Required inspections: footings, foundation before backfill, rough framing/plumbing/HVAC/electric, insulation and final. The Permit Requirements page lists a $30 re-inspection charge but the 2026 fee schedule lists $75 per additional inspection.(source)
Electrical work must be done by a DSPS-certified master or journeyman electrician (or one holding a City of Madison license), except a homeowner may do work in the home they own and occupy.(source)
Designated historic sites and structures need a certificate of appropriateness from the Landmarks Preservation Commission before any alteration, and no other city permit is issued until it is granted.(source)
Architectural Control Commission review applies to building permits generally but not to one- and two-family dwellings.(source)
One- and two-family home construction is exempt from the City's Chapter 30 erosion control permit because erosion control is handled under the Uniform Dwelling Code through Building Inspection.(source)
The City's zoning code has wetland overlay, wellhead protection and floodplain overlay articles that can add review for properties in those areas.(source)

Other Towns

Sources

Permit rules and fees change. We checked each answer against the town's own website, code or fee schedule in October 2026 and linked the source. Confirm with the permit office before you start. This is a guide, not legal advice.