Remodel Permits in Sun Prairie, WI: What Needs One

Do You Need a Permit in Sun Prairie?

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

Project	Permit	What the rule says
Kitchen remodel	Depends	Replacing cabinets with no plumbing, electrical or HVAC work is listed as exempt on the Building Permit page. Any kitchen remodel or alteration needs a permit, and plans may be required. Note that the city's 'Making Changes to Your Home' brochure is stricter and lists remodeling any room 'including cabinets' as needing a permit, so confirm cabinet-only jobs with the office. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.(source)
Bathroom remodel	Yes	A bathroom remodel or alteration needs a permit, and plans may be required. Any plumbing or electrical work needs a permit, and so does installing a ceiling fan or whirlpool tub. The city does not list an exemption for swapping fixtures in place. Plumbing code 15.12.020 excludes only 'minor repairs to faucets and the removal of stoppages'. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing.(source)
Finish a basement	Yes	Finishing or remodeling a basement needs a permit, and a plan is required. Installing drain tile or a basement drainage system also needs a permit. If the house has a sewer backwater valve, its two access covers must stay accessible after finishing. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.(source)
Remove or move a wall	Yes	Any interior change to the home needs a permit, and 'Other interior remodeling' is on the permit-required list. The code's minor-repair exemption excludes work that affects room arrangement or structure. So moving or removing a wall needs a permit whether or not it is load-bearing. The city does not draw a load-bearing distinction. Permits: building, electrical.(source)
Build or replace a deck	Yes	Any deck addition, replacement or alteration needs a building permit. You must submit a construction drawing and a site plan. The deck must be built to one of three methods: UDC SPS 321.225, UDC Appendix B/C, or the AWC DCA6 guide. A deck up to 3 ft high may come within 8 ft of the rear lot line. A deck over 3 ft high must stay 24 ft from it. Roofed decks need larger setbacks. The city lists no size or height exemption. Frost depth is not stated locally and defers to SPS 321.16. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Replace deck boards or railings	Depends	Replacing deck boards is listed as not needing a permit. Railings are different: the 'Making Changes to Your Home' brochure lists installing or repairing a handrail, guardrail or steps as needing a permit. Any structural alteration counts as a deck alteration, which needs a permit. Permits: building.(source)
Replace windows, same size	Yes	Replacing windows needs a permit, even in the same opening. Installing storm windows or screens does not. The flat fee is $75 for a one- or two-family home. Permits: building.(source)
New or larger window (egress)	Yes	New or enlarged window openings count as window 'additions' and exterior changes, so they need a building permit. The city has no egress-specific handout. Basement egress windows in a finished basement fall under the basement-finish permit, which requires a plan. Permits: building.(source)
Replace exterior doors	Yes	Replacing an exterior door needs a permit, even in the same opening. The flat fee is $75 for a one- or two-family home. Permits: building.(source)
Re-roof	Yes	Roof replacement on a house or garage needs a permit, with a $75 flat fee for a one- or two-family home. The city does not separate tear-off from overlay or mention sheathing. Code 15.04.030 says that when more than 25% of the roof covering is replaced within 12 months, all of the roof covering must meet code. Permits: building.(source)
Replace siding	Yes	Replacing siding on a house or garage needs a permit, and so does installing fascia and soffit. The flat fee is $75 for a one- or two-family home. Permits: building.(source)
New flooring	No	Flooring changes such as carpet, tile or wood do not need a building permit.(source)
Replace a water heater	Yes	Installing or replacing a water heater or water softener needs a permit. The flat fee is $75 per unit, and you apply with the online 'Minor work' application. Permits: plumbing.(source)
Build a fence	Yes	Any fence addition, replacement or alteration needs a building permit ($75) and a scaled site plan showing lot lines and easements. The maximum height is 6 ft in rear and side yards and 4 ft in front or street yards. A fence must sit at least 2 ft from the front or street property line. Chain link and wire mesh are not allowed in front or street yards, and the finished side must face out. City staff do a final inspection. Permits: building, zoning.(source)

Checked October 2026 against the City of Sun Prairie sources listed below.

Who to Call

City of Sun Prairie Building Inspection
Phone: 608-825-1184
Email: buildinginspection@cityofsunprairie.com
Permit office website

Applications are online only, through the city's OpenGov portal. Roof, siding, water heater and furnace swaps use the "Minor work" application; remodels and decks use the alterations application. The city says permits take 5 to 10 business days once the application is complete.

Permit Fees

Flat fees for one- and two-family homes: roof replacement $75; siding/soffit/fascia $75; windows/doors $75; water heater $75 per unit; water treatment device $75 per unit; fence $75; electrical service $75; minimum permit fee $75. A deck is $150, plus a $25 deck plan review, erosion control at $0.02/sq ft of footprint, aerial imagery at $0.03/sq ft of footprint, and zoning fees. Alterations and remodels charge each trade at the greater of a $75 base or a per-square-foot rate of the project area: building $0.09, electrical $0.06, plumbing $0.06 and HVAC $0.06. Special or extra inspections are $50 per half hour. If work starts before the permit is issued, a penalty equal to the permit fee is added, which doubles it. The same schedule is codified in Code §15.16.010.(fee schedule)

Worth Knowing in Sun Prairie

The city issues 'single source' permits. A remodel gets one permit that covers building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, not separate trade permits.(source)
Who can do the work: the city FAQ says only an owner who lives in a single-family detached home may do their own work. Owners of rentals must hire licensed contractors. City code limits homeowner plumbing permits to an owner-occupied single-family residence (15.12.040) and homeowner electrical permits to the owner's own single-family residence (15.08.040). By that wording, two-family owners should expect to need licensed trades.(source)
Starting work without a permit costs extra: the city may double the permit fee and fine you per day until a permit is obtained.(source)
Inspections (rough and final) are required for every permitted project, and the permit holder must schedule them. Passing the final inspection is the only way to close a permit. Same-day requests must be in by 8 a.m., and the inspector has 2 business days to inspect.(source)
A homeowners' association can ask the city in writing to be notified when permits are issued in its subdivision, for things like decks and fences. Decks and fences may also need separate HOA approval, which the city does not handle.(source)
Deck permits carry an erosion control fee ($0.02/sq ft of footprint) and an aerial imagery fee ($0.03/sq ft) for any new footprint.(source)
Zoning has a historic preservation overlay, but it applies only to properties on the National or State Register of Historic Places. Those must remain undisturbed except for rehabilitation allowed under the Wisconsin Historic Building Code. Floodplain and shoreland overlays also exist (Ch. 17.28).(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.