Permits.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 222-13
in effect222-13. Permits.
1. PERMIT REQUIRED. Except as regulated in s. 222-1-2 or exempted in s. 200-24-1.5, no electrical equipment shall be installed, altered, renewed, replaced or connected without first procuring a permit.
2. APPLICATIONS FOR PERMIT.
a. Any state-licensed electrical contractor, state-licensed elevator contractor or person who is exempt from licensing under s. 101.862(4)(am) to (q), Wis. Stats., desiring a permit as required by this chapter shall file with the commissioner an application for a permit in writing on a form furnished for this purpose. In addition:
a-1. The department may allow any state-licensed electrical contractor to obtain a permit from within the scope of the contractor’s license class. A state-licensed electrical contractor shall provide a copy of his or her state electrical contractor license and a copy of the license of the master electrician who is taking full responsibility for all work to be carried out under the permit. The applicant shall provide all necessary contact information on a form that is provided by the department. The permit application shall be signed by the supervising master electrician of the applicant’s business.
a-2. The department may allow any state-licensed elevator contractor to obtain a permit from within the scope of the contractor’s license class. A state-licensed elevator contractor shall provide a copy of his or her state elevator contractor license and a copy of the license of the elevator mechanic who is taking full responsibility for all work to be carried out under the permit. The applicant shall provide all necessary contact information on a form that is provided by the department. The permit application shall be signed by the supervising elevator mechanic of the applicant’s business.
a-3. The following shall be exempt from licensing under s. 101.862(4), Wis. Stats.
a-3-a. Low-voltage Fire Alarm Permit. The commissioner shall review and approve or disapprove the permit application. If the permit application is approved, the commissioner shall issue a Type LF low-voltage (100 volts or less) fire alarm permit, permitting the applicant to install, alter, repair, remove, renew, replace, disturb, connect, disconnect or maintain any low-voltage electrical equipment associated with a fire alarm system and accept payment for any of these activities. The applicant shall provide all necessary contact information on a form that is provided by the department of neighborhood services.
a-3-b. Low-voltage Burglar and Security Alarm Permit. The commissioner shall review and approve or disapprove the permit application. If the permit application is approved, the commissioner shall issue a Type LB low-voltage (100 volts or less) burglar and security alarm permit, permitting the applicant to install, alter, repair, remove, renew, replace, disturb, connect, disconnect or maintain any low-voltage electrical equipment associated with a burglar and security alarm system and accept payment for any of these activities. The applicant shall provide all necessary contact information on a form that is provided by the department.
a-3-c. Other Low-voltage Permit. The commissioner shall review and approve or disapprove the permit application. If the permit application is approved, the commissioner shall issue a Type LV low-voltage (100 volts or less) permit, permitting the applicant to install, alter, repair, remove, renew, replace, disturb, connect, disconnect or maintain any low-voltage electrical equipment associated with any system other than those described in subpars. a and b and accept payment for any of these activities. The applicant shall provide all necessary contact information on a form that is provided by the department.
a-3-d. Other Exemptions. The commissioner shall review and approve or disapprove the permit application. If the permit application is approved, the commissioner shall issue a permit, permitting the applicant to install, alter, repair, remove, renew, replace, disturb, connect, disconnect or maintain any low-voltage electrical equipment as regulated in s. 101.862(4), Wis. Stats. The applicant shall provide all necessary contact information on a form that is provided by the department.
b. A permit application shall describe and enumerate the electrical equipment to be installed and shall give other reasonable information as may be required by the commissioner.
c. At the time of an issuance of a permit, the commissioner may require the manufacturer, owner, installer or user of electrical equipment to submit plans (drawings), data, and specifications, schedules or literature, information, materials, samples or tests as may be necessary to determine the fitness of equipment for safe installation and use.
d. The approval of general building plans and specifications by the commissioner shall not be considered as including electrical plans or specifications or electrical equipment.
3. ISSUANCE OF PERMIT. a. If upon examination it is found that the information on the application is complete, the commissioner shall issue a permit; provided that the licensee, or applicant exempt from licensing under s. 222-13-2-a-3, agrees and expressly states that he or she is fully capable, and in possession of knowledge and ability to design, lay out, install, alter or replace the work designated in the application in accordance with this chapter, and with all other laws and ordinances pertinent thereto, and will install electrical equipment as described in the application for permit in a safe, legal and workmanlike manner.
b. The issuance of any permit or the serving of any notice or order shall not preclude compliance with all ordinances or other laws relating to occupancy and use, construction (s. 200-26) or zoning (ch. 295).
c. No other electrical work shall be done except work as described in the application for permit.
6. WORK WITHOUT PERMIT. When any work is begun on the installation, alteration, or replacement of any electrical equipment without first obtaining a permit therefor, except as provided in s. 222-1-2 or exempted in s. 200-24-1.5, the commissioner shall have the power and authority to disconnect or order the disconnection immediately of any such equipment and to stop such work until a permit has been procured.
7. NO PERMITS TO VIOLATORS.
a. Whenever any electrical installation occurs contrary to the regulations of this chapter, the commissioner shall issue a notice to remedy the defective work to the violator at his or her last known address. Failure to comply with the notice shall be deemed sufficient reason for withholding future permits, in addition to other penalties provided in this code.
b. The following shall also be deemed sufficient reasons for withholding future permits:
b-1. An unreasonable delay in the performance of electrical work occurs after issuance of a permit.
b-2. An electrical contractor fails to promptly respond to official communication from the commissioner.
b-3. Information provided on a contractor’s contact form, state license or certification is no longer valid and the contractor failed to notify the department by providing an updated copy of state license or certification or updated contact form.
8. EXPIRATION OF PERMITS. If any electrical work for which a permit has been issued is not started within 6 months from the date of issuance of the permit, or if any electrical work for which a permit has been issued ceases for more than 6 months, such permit shall lapse and be void, and all permit fees shall remain the property of the city. No electrical work shall begin or be resumed until a new electrical permit is obtained and the fees prescribed in s. 200-33 are paid therefor.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-2/CH222.pdf#page=3Fetched: 10/26/2026