Residential Permits
Building Permit - Contractor vs Home Owner
To obtain a building permit in the City of Green Bay, a contractor must carry the State of Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification and a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification from the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Prior to issuing a local building permit on a one or two-family dwelling, the City is required by the State to verify that a contracting business owner possesses or employs at least one individual who holds both certifications. If you have any questions regarding these certifications, contact the State of Wisconsin Licensing Department at 608-261-8500.
An inspection is required by the City upon completion of work. The owner of an existing single-family dwelling where he/she resides may obtain a building permit for work in that dwelling. Access the building permits. You can also view the instructions for online payments (PDF) and make an online payment for a building permit (requires project number from Inspection Department).
Electrical Permit - Contractor vs Home Owner
Permits are required for new construction and remodeling projects. An electrical permit is required when any electrical work is being done in conjunction with a building permit. If no building permit is required, and more than three outlets (receptacles, lights, switches, etc.) are added, an electrical permit is required (this usually excludes minor repairs).
The owner of an existing single-family dwelling where he/she resides may perform the work but must obtain an electrical permit for wiring in that dwelling. Electrical services and all other wiring in the City must be done by an electrical contractor licensed in Green Bay. If you are hiring a licensed electrical contractor to do the wiring, they will submit the electrical permit (there is no need for you to meet with an electrical inspector in City Hall).
Doing Your Own Wiring
If you intend to do the wiring yourself, you must meet with one of the electrical inspectors in City Hall. Please call 920-448-3300 to schedule an appointment. Please bring a floor plan with you showing the location of all receptacles, lights, switches, etc. that you intend to install. The inspector will then ask you some basic wiring questions to determine if you are knowledgeable about that wiring, such as:
- What type of wiring are you using?
- What is the size of the wire?
- What size overcurrent device will protect the wire?
- How will you ground the devices or equipment?
- Is ground fault protection required?
If you can answer these basic wiring questions and/or others, the inspector can issue an electrical permit to you. An inspection is required by the City upon completion of work. Before any electrical work can begin, the permit and fee needs to be received by the Inspection Division. No appointments can be scheduled until this happens.
Access the electrical permits. You can also view the instructions for online payments (PDF), and make an online payment for an electrical permit (requires project number from Inspection Department).
HVAC Permit - Contractor vs Home Owner
HVAC permits are required when any heating work is being done. Permits are required for furnace replacements, air conditioning replacements, etc. The owner of an existing single-family dwelling where he/she resides may perform the work but must obtain a HVAC permit for work in that dwelling. In any rental property work must be done by a licensed contractor. If you are hiring a licensed HVAC contractor to do the work, he/she will submit the permit.
An inspection is required by the City upon completion of work. Access the HVAC permits. You may also view the instructions for online payments (PDF) or make an online payment for a HVAC permit (requires project number from Inspection Department).
Plumbing Permit - Contractor vs Home Owner
The owner of an existing single-family dwelling where he/she resides may perform the work but must obtain a plumbing permit for work in that dwelling. Work must be done by a licensed contractor in any rental property. If you are hiring a licensed plumbing contractor to do the work, the contractor will submit the permit.
The City requires that plumbing contractors be master plumbers licensed with the State of Wisconsin in order to work within the city limits. Permits are required for turf watering systems, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and water heater replacement, etc. View information about the mini storm sewer connection (PDF).
An inspection is required by the City upon completion of work. Access the plumbing permits. You can also view the instructions for online payments (PDF), and make an online payment for plumbing (requires project number from Inspection Department).