Building permits in Madison, WI
Permits for Madison are issued by City of Madison, Building Inspection Division. Applications go through the portal below.
Checked against the department's own page on 6 Sep 2026
Where to file
- Department
- City of Madison, Building Inspection Division
- Phone
- 608-266-4551
- Portal
- elam.cityofmadison.com/citizenaccess
Accela (eLAM) portal. 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Ste 017.
What each job needs in Madison
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Madison before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Wisconsin
A state Dwelling Contractor certification (plus a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier on staff) is required to obtain a building permit for one- and two-family dwellings (DSPS).
Issued by Wisconsin Dept. of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS) · Verify a licence
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Other Wisconsin jurisdictions
All Wisconsin jurisdictionsDepartment, portal and phone checked against the official page on 6 Sep 2026. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.