Remodel Permits in Waunakee, WI: What Needs One

Do You Need a Permit in Waunakee?

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

Project	Permit	What the rule says
Kitchen remodel	Depends	The Village says all remodeling projects need a permit from the Building Inspection Office before work starts, and new or moved plumbing, wiring or heating needs its trade permit too. Swapping cabinets or counters with no change to plumbing, wiring, walls or layout may count as a 'minor repair', which needs no building permit; confirm with the inspector. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing.(source)
Bathroom remodel	Depends	A bathroom remodel is a remodeling project that needs a permit. Any plumbing work needs a plumbing permit; only minor faucet repairs and clearing stoppages are exempt. A new circuit or new exhaust fan falls under the electrical and HVAC permit rules. Plumbing must be done by a licensed plumber, except an owner working in the single-family home they own and live in, with a permit. Permits: building, plumbing, electrical, HVAC.(source)
Finish a basement	Yes	Finishing a basement is a remodeling project that needs a building permit, plus electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits for that work. Every basement bedroom needs glazed windows equal to at least 8% of its floor area and an openable window big enough to escape through. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.(source)
Remove or move a wall	Yes	Changing walls (bearing or not) or room arrangement is an alteration that needs a building permit. The minor-repair exemption covers only work that doesn't affect structure or room arrangement. Permits: building.(source)
Build or replace a deck	Yes	Decks need a building permit and a zoning permit uploaded with the online application. An uncovered deck can reach 6 ft into a setback but must stay at least 3 ft from any lot line and out of utility easements; a covered deck must meet the house's setbacks. Decks over 24 inches above grade need guardrails to pass final inspection. Fee: $0.60 per sq ft, minimum $175. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Replace deck boards or railings	Depends	Not addressed directly. The code exempts minor repairs that don't affect structure, exits or exterior appearance, and lets the inspector skip a permit for maintenance under $300. Replacing deck boards or railings in kind may qualify, but larger jobs are unclear; ask the inspector. Permits: building.(source)
Replace windows, same size	Depends	Window replacement needs a permit when the job is worth more than $1,000. The fee is a $50 administrative permit. Permits: building.(source)
New or larger window (egress)	Yes	Cutting a new or bigger opening alters the house and changes light, ventilation and exits, so it needs a building permit. A basement bedroom's window must be big enough to escape through. Permits: building.(source)
Replace exterior doors	Depends	Exterior door replacement isn't listed on its own. All remodeling needs a permit, but the code exempts minor repairs and replacements that don't change exits or exterior appearance, and lets the inspector waive a permit for work under $300. A same-size swap may qualify; ask the inspector. Permits: building.(source)
Re-roof	Depends	Re-roofing needs a permit when the job is worth more than $1,000 ($50 administrative permit). If more than 25% of the roof covering is replaced within 12 months, all of the roof covering must meet code. Tear-off versus overlay isn't addressed separately. Permits: building.(source)
Replace siding	Depends	Re-siding needs a permit when the job is worth more than $1,000 ($50 administrative permit). Permits: building.(source)
New flooring	Ask	Flooring isn't listed. Under the code's definition of 'minor repair' (replacement work that doesn't affect layout, exits, light, ventilation or appearance), no permit is needed and no dollar limit applies. A separate clause, though, lets the inspector waive permits only for maintenance under $300. Ask the inspector.
Replace a water heater	Yes	Water heaters (and water softeners) are on the Village's list of projects that need a permit before work starts. A plumbing-only permit is $88. Permits: plumbing.(source)
Build a fence	Yes	Fences need a $50 fence permit plus a zoning permit and site plan. Fences under 6 ft are allowed on rear and side lot lines; front (street) yard fences can be up to 4 ft and at least 2 ft from the right-of-way, and must respect vision triangles. Today a fence 6 ft or taller needs a conditional use permit (a pending 2026 change would allow exactly 6 ft). The finished side faces the neighbors. A fence in a utility easement needs a Fence Placement Acknowledgement Form. Permits: zoning, building.(source)
Build a shed	Yes	Any shed needs a building permit, including prefab ones, plus a zoning permit. In R-1, R-2 and R-3 a detached accessory building must be under 15 ft tall, at least 3 ft from lot lines and other accessory buildings, out of the front yard and out of utility easements, and can't cover more than 30% of the required rear yard. A lot gets a garage plus one other accessory building, and accessory structures may total no more than 900 sq ft. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Install a pool	Depends	In-ground pools need a pool permit plus a zoning permit, and must have a 4 ft fence with no gaps over 4 inches and locked gates, or a lockable cover that holds 250 lb. The water's edge must be at least 5 ft from every lot line, and pools go only in rear or side yards. The pool section exempts above-ground pools, but the Village's quick tips say pools need permits; check before installing one. Permits: building, zoning, electrical.(source)
Add a hot tub	Depends	An outdoor hot tub needs a building permit and must have a 4 ft fence or a locking cover that can hold 250 lb. Like a pool, it goes in a rear or side yard with its water line at least 5 ft from lot lines. A portable hot tub set up for 30 days or less is exempt. Wiring needs an electrical permit. Permits: building, electrical, zoning.(source)
Build a pergola or gazebo	Depends	Pergolas and gazebos aren't named. The zoning code lists arbors under 'minor structures', but a zoning permit is required for any new structure, and an accessory building needs a building permit. Ask the inspector which applies to your design. Permits: zoning, building.(source)
Backyard fire pit	Depends	No permit for a listed (certified) outdoor fireplace that is screened and has a lid; a built brick fireplace with a chimney needs the building inspector's approval. Burn dry wood only, at least 15 ft from any structure and 5 ft from lot lines, never on a combustible deck or patio, with an extinguisher or hose ready and an adult present. No burning in winds over 10 mph.(source)
Build a patio	Yes	Installing, replacing or removing a patio, driveway, parking area or service walk needs a permit using the Driveway/Parking/Patio application, which asks you to calculate impervious surface. Paving can reach 6 ft into a setback but must stay 3 ft from lot lines and out of utility easements. A driveway permit is $30. Permits: building, zoning.(source)

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

Who to Call

Village of Waunakee Building Inspection
Phone: 608-849-5613
Email: inspect@waunakee.com
Permit office website

Inspection is contracted to General Engineering Company. Apply on its online permit portal (choose "All Other Residential") and upload plans plus the village zoning permit when the job needs one. The inspector emails the fee; once it's paid by check or online, the permit is emailed to you.

Permit Fees

Fee	Amount	Notes
Remodel and addition
Remodel or alteration (not counting mechanicals)	$0.30 per sq ft	$150 minimum
Addition	$0.30 per sq ft	$150 minimum, plus zoning fee
Addition erosion control	$55
Deck	$0.60 per sq ft	$175 minimum
Detached garage or accessory building over 120 sq ft	$0.17 per sq ft	$175 minimum, plus electrical
Trades
Electrical only, including service upgrade	$99
Plumbing only	$88
HVAC only	$88
Solar PV (0.1-15 kW AC)	$340
Small projects
Shed, fence, roof, windows or siding (administrative)	$50
Fence permit	$50
Driveway	$30
Raze or demolition	$100
Zoning permit	$50
Pools
In-ground pool	$192.50
Pool with fence or cover (includes electric)	$192	Plus zoning permit
Plan Commission
Conditional use permit	$450
Variance	$475
Site plan	$375

Fee schedule effective 1/1/2026.
Work done before the permit is issued: fees doubled.

Source: Village of Waunakee (fee schedule)

Worth Knowing in Waunakee

Starting work before the permit is issued doubles the permit fee.(source)
A zoning permit (uploaded with the building application) is required for decks, sheds, fences and any time you change the footprint of the house.(source)
Structures other than fences can't sit in utility easements, which typically run 6-15 ft from side and rear lot lines, even where the setback would allow 3 ft.(source)
Village zoning overrides weaker neighborhood covenants, but stricter covenants still apply, and the Village doesn't enforce them. Many lots are zoned PUD, where setbacks come from the subdivision's General Development Plan rather than the code.(source)
Permits lapse if work doesn't start within 6 months or isn't finished within 12 months, and the permit must be displayed on site.(source)
No occupancy certificate is issued if a deck or other area over 24 inches above grade lacks guardrails, or three or more risers lack a handrail.(source)
Replacing more than 25% of the roof covering within 12 months brings the whole roof covering under current code.(source)
Plumbing must be done by a state-licensed plumber, except an owner working in the single-family home they own and live in, with a permit.(source)
Homes in the Town of Westport's joint planning / extraterritorial zoning area need a Waunakee/Westport zoning permit from the Village before the Town issues a building permit.(source)
A Chapter 133 zoning cleanup ordinance (fences of exactly 6 ft allowed without a conditional use permit, the 900 sq ft accessory cap applied per building, ADU wording) is set for a Village Board public hearing on 10/19/2026.(source)
Construction-site erosion control permits apply to land disturbance of 4,000 sq ft or more, slopes over 10%, or 400+ cubic yards of fill; UDC-regulated one- and two-family dwellings are exempt unless over one acre. The fee schedule still lists a $55 erosion control fee for residential additions.(source)

More about living in Waunakee: 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 Waunakee, WI