Inspections.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 200-13
in effect200-13. Inspections.
1. REQUIRED.
a. Following the issuance by the department of any permit for the erection, construction, installation, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal, occupancy, conversion to other uses, raising or demolition of any building, structure or equipment, the commissioner may inspect the work, at intervals sufficiently frequent to ascertain if the work is being done or executed in compliance with this code. The permit holder or an agent shall notify and allow inspection as follows:
a-1. Inspection to determine if the location of the building, structure or equipment to be constructed on any premises or the use of any premises is in compliance with approved certified survey of the premises and the terms of the permit.
a-2. Inspection to determine if the material upon which the proposed building or structure is to be placed is stable and able to support the load to be imposed upon it, and that the footings are to be of the required size, placing of reinforcing steel, if required, and foundation walls are in compliance with approved plans, data and the term of the permit.
a-3. Inspection of all wall, floor and roof framing, fire stopping, insulation and bracing when completed, and of all pipes, chimneys, ventilating and other ducts, shafts and equipment when in place, but before any such work is covered, enclosed or concealed by other construction.
a-4. Inspection of all reinforcing steel when placed and before concrete, or masonry is placed or laid in connection therewith, and of all structural parts of buildings and structures when in place, but before covering or concealing any such members, connections or structural parts.
a-5. Inspection of lath or base for interior and exterior plastering, fire-resistive protection of structural steel and other construction, but before plaster or other materials are applied.
b. The permit holder or the permit holder's representative shall notify the commissioner when the stages of construction are reached that require an inspection. All ladders, scaffolds and test equipment required to complete an inspection or test shall be provided by the property owner, permit holder or their representative. If upon any inspection it is found that a required inspection cannot be made because work to be inspected has been covered or concealed, the permit holder or agent shall uncover the work, as directed by the commissioner, and no approval of covered or concealed work shall be given until the required inspection can be made and the work complies with the applicable regulations of this code.
c. The commissioner, in responding to inspectional requests, may approve the work inspected, waive the inspection or issue an order to correct defective work to the permit holder or the agent in charge of the work wherein it fails to comply with the applicable regulations of this code. Any construction which does not comply with this code shall be corrected and no such construction shall be covered or concealed with additional work until approved.
d. When any of the inspections required under this subsection have been made and those portions of construction approved, the commissioner shall so record on the official permit sticker posted on the premises.
e. The commissioner may accept reports of inspections and tests from individuals or inspection agencies approved in accordance with the commissioner’s written policy. The individual or inspection agency shall meet the qualifications and reliability requirements established in the written policy. If the commissioner is unable to make a required inspection or test within 2 working days of a request or an agreed upon date or if authorized for other circumstances in the commissioner’s written policy, the commissioner shall accept reports for review. The commissioner shall approve the report from such approved individuals or agencies unless there is a cause to reject it. Failure to approve a report shall be in writing within 2 days of receiving it stating the reason for rejection. Reports of inspections conducted by approved third-party inspectors or agencies shall be in writing, indicate if compliance with the applicable provisions of the building code are met and be certified by the individual inspector or by the responsible officer when the report is from an agency.
f. The written policy for third-party inspectors shall establish the minimum acceptable qualifications for third-party inspectors. The policy shall include the format and time frame required for submission of reports, any prequalifications or pre-approval requirements before conducting third-party inspections and any other requirements and procedures established by the commissioner. In determining third-party qualifications, the commissioner may consider such items as safety and professional services certification, other state and national certifications, state professional registrations and any other factors that would demonstrate competency and reliability to conduct inspections.
2. EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. The commissioner may make inspections, from time to time, or as otherwise required by this code, of all existing buildings, structures or equipment to ascertain if the buildings, structures or equipment are being used, maintained and occupied in accordance with the regulations of applicable codes, all other ordinances, the Wisconsin Administrative Code, and all other laws, or lawful orders of the Wisconsin department of safety and professional services, relating to the maintenance, erection, construction, installation, enlargement, alteration, repair removal, conversion to new uses, raising, demolition, fire and health protection, use of equipment, materials, occupancy and use, and sanitation of buildings, structures, equipment or premises. The commissioner shall also make inspections to ascertain the effect of fires to determine the study of all such buildings, structures or equipment.
3. REINSPECTION. When violations of this code, or s. 320-21-11 or conditions of a certificate of appropriateness issued pursuant thereto, are found to exist, the commissioner may determine, upon reinspection, whether all installations, alterations, repairs, or enlargements resulting from said corrections are permanent, substantial and have been performed in a workmanlike manner.
4. FINAL INSPECTION. Upon the completion of any building, structure, equipment or construction for which a permit was issued and before the same is occupied or used, a final inspection may be made by the commissioner and until the building, structure, equipment or construction is in compliance with all the requirements of this code and terms of the permit, a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued. A detailed record shall be made of the final inspection.
5. RECORDS. The commissioner shall keep comprehensive records of all applications for permits, permits and fees therefor, approvals and certificates of occupancy issued. The commissioner shall also keep records of all inspections made and reports rendered, and of orders or citations issued, together with all correspondence and statistics on the various phases of construction and housing. All records maintained pursuant to this subsection shall be open to public inspection at reasonable hours, but shall not be removed from the office in which they are located. Certified copies of any record may be obtained upon payment of the fee specified in s. 200-33 and in compliance with any rules and regulations of the commissioner.
6. COMMERCIAL BUILDING COURTESY INSPECTION. The commissioner may make courtesy inspections of existing commercial buildings, as requested by the building owner or any other interested party, to ascertain if the building structures or equipment would require alterations, modifications, additions, repairs or other updates before the building, or space within the building, could be legally occupied for a particular type of use. The commissioner may charge a fee for this inspection as provided in s. 200-33.
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-sub3.pdf#page=6Fetched: 10/26/2026