Remodel Permits in Shorewood Hills, WI: What Needs One

Do You Need a Permit in Shorewood Hills?

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

Project	Permit	What the rule says
Kitchen remodel	Yes	The Village handout lists kitchen remodels, including new or relocated cabinets and any walls opened to the studs, as needing a building permit. New or moved lights, switches, outlets or hardwired appliances need an electrical permit. New or replacement sinks, dishwashers and disposals need a plumbing permit. Note: the code text itself exempts 'installation of cabinetry'. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing.(source)
Bathroom remodel	Yes	Bathroom remodels need a building permit. A plumbing permit is needed even to replace fixtures in place (sink, toilet, tub, shower). Vent fans need an HVAC permit, and new lights or outlets need an electrical permit. Permits: building, plumbing, electrical, HVAC.(source)
Finish a basement	Yes	Basement remodels are listed as needing a building permit, plus electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits for that work. If more than one basement wall is above finished grade, part of the basement area counts toward the Village floor-area-ratio limit. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.(source)
Remove or move a wall	Yes	Any structural work needs a building permit, and the handout says remodels that open any walls to the studs do too. That covers removing or moving load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls. Permits: building.(source)
Build or replace a deck	Yes	Decks need a building permit and may need zoning approval; the Village Zoning Review form has a 'Deck' project type. Zoning setbacks for decks are 25 ft front, 5 ft side and 5 ft rear. An attached deck 3 ft or more above grade at any point counts as part of the house and must meet the house's setbacks. No size exemption or frost depth is published. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Replace deck boards or railings	Depends	The code exempts restoring or repairing something to its previous code-compliant condition, as determined by the building inspector, and alterations of $500 or less in 12 months. The handout lists 'Decks/Porche/Stoops' generally, so confirm with GEC. Permits: building.(source)
Replace windows, same size	Yes	The Village handout lists window replacements as needing a building permit. Permits: building.(source)
New or larger window (egress)	Yes	A new or enlarged opening is structural work, which the handout and code both say needs a building permit. Permits: building.(source)
Replace exterior doors	Depends	The handout does not list door replacement. Under the code, alterations over $500 in 12 months need a permit, but restoring to the previous code-compliant condition is exempt as the inspector decides. Confirm with GEC. Permits: building.(source)
Re-roof	Yes	Any roof work needs a building permit. The sources do not distinguish tear-off from overlay or address sheathing. Permits: building.(source)
Replace siding	Yes	Siding is listed as needing a building permit. Permits: building.(source)
New flooring	No	The code exempts finishing interior surfaces. Opening walls to the studs or structural floor work would not be exempt.(source)
Replace a water heater	Yes	Replacing a water heater needs a plumbing permit. An electric water heater also needs an electrical permit. Permits: plumbing, electrical.(source)
Build a fence	Yes	The owner or their agent must get a $75 fence permit. Fences inside required setbacks or side/rear yard areas can be at most 4 ft high and must let light and air through 40% of their area. Solid screening fences can be 5 ft high outside those setbacks. A solid fence inside side or rear yard areas needs written consent from the adjoining owner, and solid fences are never allowed in the front-yard setback. Barbed wire and electric fences are banned. A permit is void if work does not start within 60 days. Permits: zoning.(source)

Checked October 2026 against the Village of Shorewood Hills sources listed below.

Who to Call

Village of Shorewood Hills
Phone: 608-267-2680
Permit office website

Building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits go through General Engineering Company (608-742-2169), the village's contracted inspector, on its online application. All trade permits are submitted with the building permit. Zoning review and fence permits go to Village Hall; the village says zoning approval can take 90 days or more.

Permit Fees

The Village fee schedule (approved Nov. 25, 2024) says building, HVAC, plumbing and electrical permit fees follow GEC's fee schedules. GEC's amounts are not published on the Village or GEC sites, and GEC says each municipality sets its own fees. Village-set fees: fence permit $75; zoning review for building permits $50 by staff; floor area/height compliance review $150 by consultant; stormwater compliance review $150; variance or conditional use $350 plus consulting cost. Grading/filling over 10 cubic yards and demolitions need a $350 Zoning Administrator permit. The handout warns that failing to get permits may double permit fees.(fee schedule)

Worth Knowing in Shorewood Hills

Each contractor must get their own permit. The property owner or their contractor is responsible for getting permits before work starts, and the Village posts a Cautionary Statement for homeowners acting as their own contractor.(source)
Electrical: the inspector may issue a permit to an owner only for a single-family home that the owner and immediate family solely occupy. Otherwise a DSPS-licensed electrician is required.(source)
HVAC: the code requires a City of Madison heating/ventilating license, or the inspector may issue a permit to a person who proves competence. Plumbers must meet state licensing under Wis. Stat. 145.06.(source)
Floor-area-ratio (FAR) limits apply in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 districts and require a surveyor's lot survey when calculated. Attic space used for human occupancy and partly exposed basements count toward floor area, so finishing an attic or walk-out basement can raise FAR issues.(source)
Erosion control permits are required for land disturbance over 500 sq ft. Adding 250 sq ft or more of new impervious surface triggers a stormwater control permit.(source)
Lake Mendota frontage lots have accessory-structure setbacks measured from the ordinary high-water mark.(source)
Construction must comply with the Village Tree Ordinance; tree-protection guidelines are posted with the building permit forms.(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.