Remodel Permits in Madison, WI: What Needs One

Do You Need a Permit in Madison?

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

Project	Permit	What the rule says
Kitchen remodel	Depends	Replacing or adding wall-mounted cabinets only needs no permit. Kitchen alterations need a building permit, and moving or adding fixtures, counters, islands or cabinets, or changing walls, needs plan review. All electrical and plumbing work needs its own permit. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing.(source)
Bathroom remodel	Yes	The city's permit chart lists bathroom alterations as needing a permit. Moving or adding a toilet, sink or shower triggers plan review. Plumbing and electrical work each need separate permits; a plumber can apply online for direct replacement of fixtures. Permits: building, plumbing, electrical.(source)
Finish a basement	Yes	Basement alterations or conversions need a permit and plan review, since finishing a previously unfinished space is a plan-review trigger. Check zoning first. Converting a room to a bedroom is a change of use that also needs plan review. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work need their own permits. Permits: building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.(source)
Remove or move a wall	Yes	Any change to walls needs a building permit with plan review, including non-load-bearing and partial-height walls. Plans must show beams and headers. Permits: building.(source)
Build or replace a deck	Yes	A building permit is required to build a deck. Decks under 3 ft above ground can usually extend to the lot line; decks 3 ft or higher must meet zoning setbacks and need a site plan. Footings must be at least 48 inches deep, and you need an inspection after digging footing holes and before pouring footings. Guardrails are required above 2 ft. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Replace deck boards or railings	Depends	Deck boards can be replaced without a permit if the cost is under $500. Above that, replacing surface boards, handrails or guardrails is an online repair/replace permit with no plan review. Replacing stairs, joists, beams or columns needs a permit or a check with Building Inspection, and replacing posts, footings, joists or beams needs plan review. Permits: building.(source)
Replace windows, same size	Yes	Replacing windows and frames needs a building permit. If the opening is not altered, an owner-occupant or contractor can apply online as a building repair/replace permit with no plan review. Permits: building.(source)
New or larger window (egress)	Yes	Adding, removing or resizing a window or other exterior opening needs a building permit with plan review. It cannot go through the simple online repair/replace process. Permits: building.(source)
Replace exterior doors	Yes	Replacing an exterior door needs a building permit. If the opening is not altered, it can be applied for online as a repair/replace permit with no plan review. Permits: building.(source)
Re-roof	Yes	Reroofing a house or garage needs a building permit, which can be applied for online as a repair/replace permit. Changing the roof pitch or framing needs plan review. The city's pages do not distinguish tear-off from overlay or mention sheathing. Permits: building.(source)
Replace siding	Yes	Replacing siding on a house or garage needs a building permit, which can be applied for online as a repair/replace permit. Permits: building.(source)
New flooring	Ask	Flooring is not listed on the city's permit chart. The online permit page tells applicants to leave flooring out of the construction cost used to set fees, but it does not say whether flooring alone needs a permit. Ask Building Inspection.(source)
Replace a water heater	Yes	Installing a water heater needs a permit. A plumber can apply online for water heater replacement as a plumbing repair/replace permit. Permits: plumbing.(source)
Build a fence	No	No building permit is needed, but the fence must meet zoning rules. Screening fences are limited to 4 ft in the front yard setback and 6 ft in rear or interior side yards. Ornamental front fences can be 5 ft if less than 50% opaque. Near street intersections the limit is 30 inches. Front and street-side fences must use approved materials, with uncoated chain link only in rear or interior side yards. Permits: zoning.(source)

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

Who to Call

City of Madison Building Inspection
Phone: 608-266-4551
Email: binspection@cityofmadison.com
Permit office website

Press 2 for building questions, 3 for zoning, 1 to request an inspection. Like-for-like replacements (roof, siding, windows, doors, deck boards) can be applied for online in the city's Accela portal with no plan review. Anything that changes walls, fixtures, openings or framing goes through plan review.

Permit Fees

Alterations and repairs to existing structures: $11 per $1,000 of value or fraction thereof, $25 minimum. Plan review for an alteration or remodel of a one- or two-family home: $25, plus the state seal fee charged by DSPS. Plumbing: $8 per new or altered fixture, $25 minimum. Electrical: $25 for the first 10 new or altered openings, then $1 each; electric service replacement $50 per panel. Replacement heating equipment: $25 up to 100,000 BTU, $50 for 100,001-165,000, $75 above that. Air conditioning unit: $25. Erosion control: $0.01 per sq ft of lot area. The deck page says most decks under 250 sq ft cost $75. For online permits, building fees are based on construction cost excluding plumbing, heating, electrical, cabinetry, paint, countertops, flooring and trim.(fee schedule)

Worth Knowing in Madison

Local historic districts and landmarks: Madison has five local historic districts (Mansion Hill, Third Lake Ridge, University Heights, Marquette Bungalows, First Settlement) and 184 local landmarks. Exterior alterations, new construction and demolitions there need a Certificate of Approval from the Landmarks Commission before you apply for a building permit. Apply by emailing landmarkscommission@cityofmadison.com with photos, a scope narrative and product specs.(source)
Under the historic district standards (MGO 41.22-41.25), maintenance-only work needs no Certificate of Approval. Repairs and alterations can be approved by the Preservation Planner, while additions and new construction go to the full Landmarks Commission. An alteration is any exterior change that replaces existing materials, so siding, roofing, window and door replacements are reviewed. Replacement siding must match the original exposure within one inch, and original windows can be replaced only when too deteriorated or hazardous to repair.(source)
Who can pull permits: owner-occupants can apply for all permits for their own home. Otherwise licensed professionals must apply. Homeowners doing their own work must request inspections for each permit separately. With a general contractor, subcontractors call in their own trade inspections.(source)
Talk to Zoning first (608-266-4551 ext. 3) for any alteration. Lakefront properties need a survey by a registered land surveyor showing setbacks to the ordinary high-water mark.(source)
Required inspections include footing, foundation, under-slab insulation, rough framing (after mechanicals are run, before insulating), insulation (before drywall) and final. Trade permits get underground, rough and final inspections. Schedule them at 608-266-4551 ext. 1 or online.(source)
For general repairs over $500, the city asks you to contact Building Inspection. Drywall and insulation are listed as 'Contact Building Inspection' rather than yes or no.(source)
Grading or land disturbance needs an Engineering Erosion Control Permit. Any excavation in the public right-of-way, or terrace, sidewalk or drive apron work, needs Engineering permits.(source)
For minor projects, plans can be approved at the counter. For complex projects, the initial plan review takes 10-15 working days.(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.