Building permits in Milwaukee, WI
Permits for Milwaukee are issued by City of Milwaukee, Dept. of Neighborhood Services (DNS). Applications go through the portal below.
Where to file
- Department
- City of Milwaukee, Dept. of Neighborhood Services (DNS)
- Phone
- (414) 286-3645
- Portal
- aca-prod.accela.com/MILWAUKEE
Accela Citizen Access. 841 N Broadway, Room 104. Not verified: milwaukee.gov blocks automated access, and three different numbers appear in secondary sources (414-286-3645, 414-286-2543, 414-286-8210). Confirm by phone before relying on this entry.
What each job needs in Milwaukee
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Milwaukee 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 are from the jurisdiction's published information and have not been re-checked recently. 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.