Remodel Permits in Mount Horeb, WI: What Needs One

Do You Need a Permit in Mount Horeb?

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

Project	Permit	What the rule says
Kitchen remodel	Depends	Any change to plumbing, wiring, heating or the structure needs a permit, and the Village's building code lists plumbing, electrical and HVAC work for remodeling separately. Replacing cabinets or counters with no other work is not addressed; the inspector can let minor repairs that don't change structure, exits, light or ventilation go without a permit, so ask first. Fee: 1% of cost per trade, $60 minimum each. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing.(source)
Bathroom remodel	Depends	Plumbing and wiring for a remodel need permits ('any plumbing for new construction or remodeling'). A like-for-like fixture swap isn't addressed separately; ask the inspector whether it counts as a minor repair. The Village's basement handout notes bathroom outlets must be GFCI protected and every bathroom needs a fan exhausting outdoors. Permits: building, plumbing, electrical.(source)
Finish a basement	Yes	Finishing or remodeling a basement needs a permit through the online application, with a plan showing rooms, exits, smoke/CO detectors, outlets, lighting and bedroom windows. Inspections: rough framing, rough electrical/HVAC/insulation and rough plumbing as needed, then final; all rough inspections come before any interior finishing. Bedrooms need a code-complying egress window or door. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.(source)
Remove or move a wall	Yes	Removing or moving walls is an alteration of the building, and the code requires a permit before any part of a building is altered. The minor-repair waiver doesn't cover work that changes structural strength, so a load-bearing wall always needs one; ask about a small non-load-bearing change. Permits: building.(source)
Build or replace a deck	Yes	New decks need a building permit, and the application needs a site plan showing lot lines, setbacks, utilities and easements. The Village's deck handout is the state UDC deck standard (SPS 320-325 Appendix B): footings at least 48 inches below grade or below frost, whichever is deeper. An attached deck follows the house's rear setback (20 ft in SF-1, and in SF-2, TF-1 and MF-1 without an alley; 5 ft with an alley); a detached deck follows accessory setbacks (5 ft side and rear in residential districts). Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Replace deck boards or railings	Depends	Not addressed directly. The code requires a permit for repairs, but the inspector may authorize minor repairs that don't change structural strength or exits without one. Ask before replacing boards or railings; a repair permit is 1% of cost, $60 minimum. Permits: building.(source)
Replace windows, same size	Yes	Window replacement needs a building permit. The Village's FAQ says roofing, siding or window replacement without structural changes doesn't need plans. Fee: 1% of cost, $60 minimum. Permits: building.(source)
New or larger window (egress)	Yes	Cutting a new or larger opening is an alteration needing a building permit. The basement handout's egress rules: the window must be in the bedroom it serves, open to a 20 x 24 inch clear opening, with a sill no more than 46 inches above the floor (60 inches with a permanent step), and needs a code-complying areaway. Egress windows may sit in setbacks within the zoning code's encroachment limits. Permits: building.(source)
Replace exterior doors	Depends	Exterior door replacement is not named in the Village's handouts. The code requires a permit for any repair or alteration, but the inspector may allow minor repairs that don't change exits or structure without one. Call the inspector before replacing a door in the same opening. Permits: building.(source)
Re-roof	Yes	Re-roofing needs a permit; the Village lists roofing among the home improvements that require one. No plans are needed unless the structure changes. Tear-off vs overlay and sheathing are not addressed. Fee: 1% of cost, $60 minimum. Permits: building.(source)
Replace siding	Yes	Re-siding needs a permit; no plans are needed unless the structure changes. Fee: 1% of cost, $60 minimum. Permits: building.(source)
New flooring	Depends	Flooring isn't mentioned in the Village's handouts. The code requires a permit for repairs and alterations but lets the inspector authorize minor work that doesn't change structure, exits, light or ventilation without one. Floor coverings alone likely qualify, but confirm with the inspector.(source)
Replace a water heater	Yes	Replacing a water heater needs a permit; the code names water heaters among major equipment whose replacement requires one. Only a licensed master plumber can get the permit, unless you own and live in the single-family home. Residential plumbing fee: 1% of cost, $60 minimum. Permits: plumbing.(source)
Build a fence	Yes	Fences need a building permit, reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and the Electrical Superintendent, and the zoning code also requires a zoning permit for any new or replacement fence. Max height 4 ft in the front or street yard (no more than 50% opaque there) and 6 ft in side and rear yards (10 ft along a nonresidential lot). Keep at least 6 inches from lot lines (1 ft recommended), out of recorded easements, finished side out, and don't connect to a neighbor's fence. No chain link or wire mesh in front yards; temporary garden and snow fences need no permit. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Build a shed	Yes	Sheds need a building permit; the Village's FAQ lists sheds, and the code's permit list includes detached accessory buildings. Detached accessory buildings go only in side or rear yards, even with or behind the house, at least 5 ft from side and rear lot lines, up to 15 ft tall (24 ft if they meet the house's setbacks) and never taller than the house. A lot may have up to three, totaling 1,000 sq ft of footprint (more on lots over one acre), never more than the house's ground floor area; attached garages don't count. No small-shed exemption is published. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Install a pool	Yes	Any pool over 15 inches deep needs a building permit, with plans submitted to the inspector; a pool dug more than 1 ft below grade also needs a site plan, which staff can approve in single-family districts. Pools go in side or rear yards only, 10 ft from lot lines and buildings, out of easements. Enclose with a fence 4 to 6 ft high, at least 4 ft from the water, no openings over 4 inches, self-closing self-latching gates; an above-ground pool with 54-inch walls and a removable ladder, or an ASTM F1346 cover that locks, can replace the fence. Storable, unfiltered pools are exempt. Pool water may not be drained to the sanitary sewer. Permits: building, zoning, electrical, plumbing.(source)
Add a hot tub	Depends	Hot tubs and spas with lockable tops are exempt from the pool rules (fence, setbacks, pool permit); keep the top locked when not in use. Wiring a hot tub is electrical work, which needs a permit. The zoning table allows mechanical equipment in side and rear setbacks. Whether a building permit is needed for a plug-in or set-on-patio tub isn't stated; ask the inspector. Permits: electrical.(source)
Build a pergola or gazebo	Depends	The zoning code lets a gazebo, picnic shelter or pergola sit in side and rear setbacks if it's no more than 15 ft tall and 120 sq ft; larger ones are treated as accessory structures. The Village's FAQ says permits are issued for landscaping structures such as gazebos, so expect a building permit; a pergola isn't named. Ask the inspector. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Backyard fire pit	No	No permit is needed for a backyard fire pit or outdoor fireplace, but the Village sets rules: use a bowl or pit made to hold the fire, at least 15 ft from any building and from the lot line, on a stable level surface and never on a combustible deck, porch or patio. Burn only clean, dry wood (propane units burn propane only), no trash, yard waste or construction material. Keep an extinguisher or garden hose ready, a responsible adult must watch the fire the whole time, and the smoke can't be a nuisance. Fires are allowed any time of day except during DNR emergency burning restrictions for Dane County. Burning leaves is banned.(source)
Build a patio	Depends	A patio no more than 1 ft above grade may sit in side and rear setbacks but must meet pavement setbacks: 5 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from the street in residential districts. The zoning code requires a zoning permit for any site change that alters grades or drainage within 5 ft of a lot line, and lots have an impervious-surface cap (60% in SF-1, 75% in SF-2). Whether a ground-level patio otherwise needs a permit isn't stated. A new driveway opening needs a $50 driveway approval. Permits: zoning.(source)

Checked October 2026 against the Village of Mount Horeb sources listed below.

Who to Call

Village of Mount Horeb Building & Zoning
Phone: 608-437-9416
Permit office website

Inspections are contracted to 3C Inspect (608-558-6055). Apply online at wipermit.com; the inspector emails the fee, you pay through AllPaid, and the permit is emailed to you. Fences need a village zoning permit too.

Permit Fees

Village Fee Schedule revised April 2026 (3C Inspect building fees). Alterations and repairs to existing homes: building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits are each 1% of that trade's construction cost (labor and materials; materials are doubled if there is no labor cost), $60 minimum each. New residential buildings: $0.15/sq ft building ($100 min) plus $0.06/sq ft each for electrical, plumbing and HVAC ($100 min each). Residential plan review $100 (single family); erosion control permit $200 residential; demolition $60; permit to start early $200; state UDC permit seal $60; additional or miscellaneous inspections $150 each; code reviews and extra services $75/hour. Work started before a permit is issued pays twice the fee. Expired permits renew for half the original fee. Driveway opening approval $50; fill permit $100; sidewalk permit $25; Certificate of Appropriateness (DMU district exterior changes) $50; conditional use $150; variance $150. No zoning permit fee is listed.(fee schedule)

Worth Knowing in Mount Horeb

Starting work before the permit is issued costs twice the fee, and you also pay the violation penalty.(source)
Inspections are done by the Village's contract inspector, 3C Inspect LLC. The permit applicant must make sure all required inspections happen (erosion control, footing, foundation, rough framing/electrical/plumbing/HVAC, insulation and final); each trade calls for its own inspections.(source)
A new zoning code (Chapter 17) took effect March 12, 2026, with new setbacks; projects designed under the old code should be rechecked.(source)
Fences need both a building permit and a zoning permit, and are reviewed by the Electrical Superintendent as well as the Zoning Administrator, because of utility line clearances.(source)
Properties designated as historic structures, sites or districts need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission before exterior changes; the inspector can't issue a permit without it. The Commission decides within 45 days. The fee schedule lists a $50 Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes in the Downtown Mixed Use district.(source)
Permits other than for new homes expire 12 months after issue; renewal costs half the original fee. Zoning permits require work to start within 365 days and finish within 730 days. Post the permit card in a conspicuous place at the site, in public view.(source)
The inspector may waive plans for alterations or repairs costing $2,000 or less if the application describes the work well enough.(source)
The Village has adopted the state Uniform Dwelling Code and the state rules for buildings built before 1914 (SPS 375-379), along with the state electrical and plumbing codes.(source)
Parts of the Village lie in a Well-Head Protection overlay district that limits some land uses near public wells; check the overlay map before projects that store fuels or chemicals.(source)
Call Diggers Hotline (1-800-242-8511) before digging footings or posts, as the Village's basement handout reminds.(source)
Plumbing permits go only to licensed master plumbers, except an owner doing plumbing in a single-family home they own and live in. The Village's electrical chapter requires a permit for wiring in new construction or alterations and for wiring appliances, and sets no licensing rule of its own, so the state rules on who may do electrical work apply.(source)

More about living in Mount Horeb: property tax rate and due dates, utilities, trash pickup and schools.

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.

Remodel Permits in Mount Horeb, WI