Remodel Permits in Oregon, WI: What Needs One

Do You Need a Permit in Oregon?

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

Project	Permit	What the rule says
Kitchen remodel	Depends	A kitchen remodel with plumbing, electrical, wall or ventilation changes needs a building permit plus plumbing and electrical permits; the Village fee schedule names kitchen remodeling and prices it by the square footage of the work area. Swapping cabinets or counters alone isn't named. The code lets the building inspector skip the permit for minor repairs or alterations under $500 that don't change exits, light, ventilation or structure, so ask before you start. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing.(source)
Bathroom remodel	Depends	Moving or adding plumbing needs a plumbing permit (only leak and stoppage repairs are exempt), and new circuits need an electrical permit. A homeowner may do plumbing in a single-family home they own and live in, with a permit. Electrical work beyond swapping switches, receptacles and fixtures needs a state-certified master electrician unless the electrical inspector approves. A like-for-like fixture swap carries a $100 'replacement fixtures' plumbing fee, which implies a permit; ask the inspector. Permits: building, plumbing, electrical.(source)
Finish a basement	Yes	Finishing a basement is an alteration and needs a building permit, plus electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits for that work. The fee schedule names basement build-outs and charges by the square footage of the work area ($0.44/sq ft, $160 minimum, plus a $70 plan review for alterations). Permits: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.(source)
Remove or move a wall	Yes	Removing or moving a wall changes the room arrangement, so it is not a 'minor repair' under the Village's dwelling code and needs a building permit, load-bearing or not. Permits: building.(source)
Build or replace a deck	Yes	New decks need a building permit ($100 under 100 sq ft, $190 for 100 sq ft or more, plus a $65 plan review) and a $60 zoning permit. A deck must meet the house's setbacks; in the rear yard only a deck no more than 1 ft above grade may extend into the required yard, and it must stay 20 ft from the rear lot line. No size or height exemption and no local frost depth are published; the state Uniform Dwelling Code sets deck construction rules. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Replace deck boards or railings	Depends	Not addressed directly. The building inspector may let minor repairs or alterations under $500 go without a permit if they don't change structure, exits or occupancy, and the dwelling code exempts minor maintenance repairs. Ask the building inspector before replacing boards or railings. Permits: building.(source)
Replace windows, same size	Depends	Not named in the code or fee schedule. Village code requires a permit for any alteration, and its definition of a no-permit 'minor repair' excludes work that affects light and ventilation or exterior appearance. A same-size swap may or may not qualify; ask the building inspector. Downtown and Historic Neighborhood overlay properties need design review for any exterior change. Permits: building.(source)
New or larger window (egress)	Yes	Cutting a new or larger window opening is a structural alteration that changes light, ventilation and exits, so it needs a building permit. Permits: building.(source)
Replace exterior doors	Depends	Not named in the code or fee schedule. A same-opening exterior door swap may count as a minor repair if it doesn't change exits or exterior appearance; ask the building inspector. New or enlarged openings need a permit. Permits: building.(source)
Re-roof	Yes	Re-roofing needs a permit; the residential fee is $65. Tear-off vs overlay and sheathing are not addressed separately. In the downtown Fire District, roofs must be Class B or better, and renewing more than one-tenth of an existing roof triggers that rule. Permits: building.(source)
Replace siding	Yes	Re-siding (and trim) needs a permit; the residential fee is $65. Permits: building.(source)
New flooring	Depends	Not named. Replacing floor coverings appears to fit the code's 'minor repair' (maintenance or replacement that doesn't affect room layout, exits or fire protection), which needs no permit, but the Village doesn't say so directly.(source)
Replace a water heater	Yes	Replacing a water heater is altering plumbing, which needs a plumbing permit (residential minimum $100). A licensed plumber does the work, except that an owner may do it in a single-family home they own and live in, with a permit. Permits: plumbing.(source)
Build a fence	Yes	Fences need a $50 zoning permit. The fence rules cover fences 36 inches and taller: up to 3 ft in the front yard (taller fences must meet the house's front setback) and 6 ft in side, street-side and rear yards on residential lots. Fences may sit on the side and rear lot lines (0 ft setback). On corner lots, keep the fence back from the street-side line at least its height, and keep vision triangles clear. Posts and supports face your side. Wire mesh isn't allowed in front or street yards. Permits: zoning.(source)
Build a shed	Yes	Sheds need a zoning permit ($40 up to 200 sq ft, $60 from 200 to under 1,000 sq ft). Accessory buildings over 120 sq ft also carry building plan review ($85) and an occupancy permit, so expect a building permit at that size. Sheds go 5 ft from side and rear lot lines, not between the house and the street, and must match the house's style and materials. Height limits vary by district (15 ft in SR-5). One garage plus two accessory structures are allowed by right; more than three, or over 1,000 sq ft combined, needs a conditional use permit. Permits: zoning, building.(source)
Install a pool	Yes	A permanent pool deeper than 18 inches needs a swimming pool building permit ($15 per $1,000 of value, $65 minimum, $540 maximum), an $80 zoning permit and electrical work permits. Pools go in the side or rear yard, at least 10 ft from lot lines and buildings. In-ground pools need a fence at least 4 ft high with self-closing, self-latching, locked gates; an above-ground pool's own wall can serve as the barrier if it is more than 3 ft high. Small storable wading pools are exempt. Don't drain a pool into the sanitary sewer. Permits: building, zoning, electrical.(source)
Add a hot tub	Yes	The Village's pool section counts permanent spas and hot tubs as swimming pools, so a permit from the building inspector is required, plus an electrical permit ($100). The pool rules (10 ft from rear and side lot lines, not in the front yard, enclosure) appear to apply; whether a locking cover can stand in for a fence isn't addressed. Permits: building, electrical.(source)
Build a pergola or gazebo	Depends	Pergolas aren't named. The zoning code requires a zoning permit for any structure built, except minor ones like swing sets and clotheslines, and accessory structures must meet the 5 ft side and rear setbacks and stay out of front and street yards. The fee schedule has a $80 'miscellaneous zoning permit' for permits not listed. Ask the zoning administrator whether yours needs a zoning or building permit. Permits: zoning.(source)
Backyard fire pit	No	No permit. Open burning is banned, but campfires are allowed in a fire pit (no more than 4 sq ft), a homemade brick or rock fireplace, or a UL-listed fire pit. Keep fires 15 ft from buildings, structures, lot lines and anything combustible (10 ft for covered UL devices), burn only dry wood, keep flames under 3 ft, never on a combustible deck, with an adult present and water or an extinguisher at hand. Smoke may not cross the property line.(source)
Build a patio	Yes	The zoning fee schedule lists a $60 zoning permit for decks, porches and patios. Paved terraces can sit in setback areas but no closer than 3 ft to a side or rear lot line, and paved surfaces stay 10 ft from the front lot line. Each district has a minimum landscape surface ratio (30% in SR-6). A driveway or access permit is $30. Permits: zoning.(source)

Checked October 2026 against the Village of Oregon sources listed below.

Who to Call

Village of Oregon Building Inspection & Zoning
Phone: 608-835-6291
Permit office website

Inspections are contracted to SAFEbuilt. Fill out the Wisconsin Uniform Building Permit Application and email it to SAFEbuilt or drop it off at Village Hall, 101 Alpine Parkway, with two sets of plans. Allow about 7 business days. Fences, sheds, decks, patios and pools also need a Village zoning permit.

Permit Fees

Appendix A, Building Permit Fee Schedule, approved November 17, 2025, effective January 1, 2026. Minimum permit $65. Additions $0.44/sq ft; interior alterations and remodels (kitchens, baths, basements) are priced by work area at $0.44/sq ft ($160 minimum); other alterations and repairs $15 per $1,000 of value. Plan review: additions $120, alterations $70, accessory buildings over 120 sq ft $85, decks and pools $65. Decks $100 under 100 sq ft, $190 at 100 sq ft or more. Reroofing, residing and trim $65. Pools and spas $15 per $1,000 ($65 min, $540 max). Occupancy permit $65 for alterations or accessory buildings over 120 sq ft. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC: $100 residential minimum, $0.12/sq ft for remodels, $100 per furnace or AC replacement, $100 replacement plumbing fixtures. Erosion control $205 per one- or two-family lot. Zoning permits (1-2 family): alterations with no new floor area $20, additions $100, sheds up to 200 sq ft $40 and up to 1,000 sq ft $60, decks/porches/patios $60, pools $80, fences $50, miscellaneous $80. Overlay district review: renovation $80, design $250, project $400 plus $1,000 escrow. Starting work without a permit: double fees (triple for repeat offenses or if the inspector has to ask).(fee schedule)

Worth Knowing in Oregon

Late permits cost more: if you apply after work has started, permit fees double; if the building inspector has to ask for an application, they triple.(source)
Electrical work needs a state-certified master electrician (or someone working under one). Homeowners may only make minor repairs, such as replacing switches, receptacles and fixtures, and may not add or extend circuits unless the electrical inspector approves.(source)
A homeowner may do plumbing work in a single-family home they own and live in, with a permit; otherwise a licensed plumber is required.(source)
Building inspections are contracted to SAFEbuilt. Required inspections include footing, foundation, rough, insulation and final, plus electrical, plumbing and HVAC rough and final. Call by 4 pm for next-business-day inspections.(source)
Building permits lapse if work doesn't start within 6 months or isn't finished within 18 months; one 3-month renewal costs 25% of the original fee. Zoning permits expire after 4 months unless 10% of the work is done.(source)
In the Historic Neighborhood Design Overlay district, any exterior alteration (including replacement windows, doors, fencing or paving) needs overlay review before work starts; renovation in kind goes to the zoning administrator, and visible or discretionary changes go to the Historic Preservation Commission and possibly the Plan Commission. Homes fronting North Main Street and Janesville Street in the Downtown Design Overlay are reviewed by the Architectural Control Board. Check the Village zoning map for boundaries.(source)
In the Downtown Historic Preservation District, tuck pointing or cleaning brick or masonry needs a permit ($65), except gentle low-pressure washing.(source)
Heat pumps and AC condensers can't go in the front yard or a required side yard without a Village Board variance; show their location on the permit plot plan.(source)
Powered construction tools may only run between 7 am and 7 pm.(source)
Construction-site erosion and stormwater rules follow Dane County's ordinance, adopted by reference in Chapter 22 (repealed and recreated by Ord. 25-08, July 21, 2025) and administered by the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission with the Village engineer.(source)
The Village has its own shoreland-wetland (Ch. 40) and floodplain (Ch. 41) zoning; check them for lots near streams, ponds and wetlands.(source)
Call Diggers Hotline (800-242-8511) at least 3 days before digging for fences, decks or pools.(source)

More about living in Oregon: 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 Oregon, WI