Permits Required.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 200-24
in effect200-24. Permits Required.
1. REQUIRED. No person may erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, convert to new uses, raze or demolish any building or structure, nor install therein any equipment, occupy and use any building, structure, equipment or premises or cause the same to be done or commence any excavation on any premises without first obtaining a permit from the commissioner and paying the fee as prescribed by this code. Permits may be issued at the discretion of the commissioner to persons in arrears of payment of any fees specified in ss. 200-32 and 200-33 or persons who have failed to comply with any outstanding order of the department if the permit is required to comply with an outstanding order or citation. No permit applied for under this subchapter may be issued unless the applicant has first complied with s. 66-12-5, with respect to submitting an asbestos project statement. Exemptions from permit requirements under this section and the rules of the department shall not be deemed to authorize any work to be done in any manner in violation of any provisions of this code or any other law or rule.
1.5.
EXCEPTIONS. No permit shall be required for:
a. Decorative landscaping edging, as regulated in s. 116-54-3.
b. Installation of wiring or equipment that operates at less than 100 volts, or is for networked powered broadband communications systems, except when any such installation is located in a plenum, penetrates fire-rated or smoke-protected construction or is a component of any the following:
b-1. Fire alarm system.
b-2. Fire detection system.
b-3. Fire suppression system.
b-4. Smoke control system.
b-5. Elevator fire safety control system.
b-6. Access or egress control system or delayed egress locking or latching system.
b-7. Fire damper.
b-8. Door control system.
c. Detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds or similar uses, provided the floor areas do not exceed 150 square feet and the structures are not accessory to Group F or H occupancies and are at least 3 feet from the property lines.
d. Tents or air-supported structures, or both, that cover areas of 600 square feet or less, provided such structures have occupant loads of less than 50.
e. Retaining walls supporting less than 32 inches of unbalanced fill. This exception shall not apply to any wall impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids, or supporting a surcharge other than ordinary unbalanced fill.
f. Ordinary repairs, including the following:
f-1. Window replacement in a one- or 2-family dwelling, unless one or more of the following is true:
f-1-a The size of the window opening is being changed.
f-1-b. The window is required to be fire-rated.
f-1-c. The dwelling is a city-designated historic structure or located in a city-designated historic district.
f-2. Replacement of plumbing fixtures in one- or 2-family dwellings without alteration of water supply and distribution systems, sanitary drainage systems or vent systems.
f-3. Replacement of general-use snap switches, dimmer and control switches, and luminaries (lighting fixtures) in one- or 2-family dwellings.
f-4. Replacement of mechanical appliances, provided the equipment is not fueled by gas or oil, in one- or 2-family dwellings.
f-5. Replacement of unlimited quantities of roof covering or siding for one- and 2-family dwellings, and replacement of 1,000 square feet or 25% of roof covering, whichever is less in all other use groups.
f-6. Replacement of roof decking on one-and 2-family dwellings without modification to framing members.
f-7. Installation or replacement of floor finishes in all occupancies.
f-8. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet or countertop installation, and similar finish work.
f-9. Replacement of Class C interior wall or ceiling finishes in institutional, educational and assembly uses, and replacement of all classes of interior wall and ceiling finishes in all other occupancies.
f-10. Other repair work deemed by the commissioner to be minor and ordinary and which does not adversely affect public health or safety.
2.
NO PERMITS TO VIOLATORS.
a. Whenever a contractor performs work contrary to this code, the commissioner may 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 the work after the issuance of a permit.
b-2. Failure of a contractor to promptly respond to an official communication from the commissioner.
3.
DEMOLISHED BUILDINGS. A duplicate copy of every permit issued to any person to raze or demolish any building or structure, issued under this chapter, shall be transmitted to the office of the commissioner of health on the same day it is issued by the department of city development. The commissioner of health shall cause such premises to be inspected for evidence of vermin and rodent infestation and, if evidence of such infestation is found, the commissioner shall take appropriate steps to eliminate the infestation.
4.
PENALTY. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to penalty pursuant to s. 200-19-2.
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/CH200-sub4.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/26/2026