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Codes, exemptions & field inspections

Build to the adopted code. Verify every exception.

This guide translates the available agency record into a preconstruction checklist for structural scope, minor work, and inspection release. The adopted code and the issuing official control when a field condition is disputed.

Regulatory framework

The code baseline for Brown County.

City of Green Bay Chapter 8 Buildings and Construction and Chapter 44 Zoning; Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code SPS 320-325; Wisconsin Commercial Building Code SPS 361-366; SPS 316 electrical code; and SPS 381-387 plumbing provisions, with Green Bay acting as an appointed agent under SPS 361.60 and SPS 382. General building permits are municipal rather than countywide. Brown County separately enforces Chapter 22 shorelands and Chapter 23 floodplains in unincorporated areas, and Chapter 11 private sewage where public sewer is unavailable.

Inspection lane

Request an inspection at https://greenbaywi.gov/ScheduleInspection or call 920-448-3300 at least one business day in advance. Required stages depend on the project and can include footing, foundation, dampproofing or stone, framing and trade rough-ins, insulation, utility service, and finals. A final inspection is required for every project. Contact Brown County at 920-448-6480 separately for shoreland, floodplain, wetland, or private-sewage inspections outside the city's building program.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

A building permit is generally not required for purely cosmetic painting or flooring, kitchen-cabinet replacement, insulating a detached garage, residential re-roofing without structural change, residential siding, an exact-size residential window replacement, a same-type water-heater replacement, a shed under 50 square feet, razing a building under 150 square feet, ordinary landscaping below the retaining-wall or berm threshold, residential tents, or small kiddie pools. Zoning, trade, egress, shoreland, floodplain, or sanitary rules can still apply. Owner-occupants may perform their own work; rental or other non-owner-occupied property requires appropriately licensed contractors.

Field rule

A permit exemption generally addresses one narrow construction trigger. It does not automatically waive zoning, land-use, floodplain, shoreline, fire, energy, electrical, utility, septic, or right-of-way requirements. Obtain written confirmation when the project involves a new structure, structural alteration, change in occupancy, or concealed work.

Inspection pipeline

Keep the work visible at every release point.

  1. 1

    Request with lead time

    Request an inspection at https://greenbaywi.gov/ScheduleInspection or call 920-448-3300 at least one business day in advance. Required stages depend on the project and can include footing, foundation, dampproofing or stone, framing and trade rough-ins, insulation, utility service, and finals. A final inspection is required for every project. Contact Brown County at 920-448-6480 separately for shoreland, floodplain, wetland, or private-sewage inspections outside the city's building program.

  2. 2

    Preserve access

    Do not cover framing, reinforcement, wiring, piping, damp-proofing, or life-safety work until the required inspection has been completed and documented.

  3. 3

    Close the record

    Retain the approved plans, inspection approvals, correction responses, and final certificate or occupancy release with the property file.

Contractor verification

Verify the builder before the contract is signed.

Use the state licensing system to verify active registration, trade credentials, bond status, and liability coverage where available. Match the legal business name to the proposal and permit application.

Verify contractor ↗

Planning reference

Keep the parcel rules beside the building plans.

A building permit is only one part of statutory compliance. Check the local zoning, ordinance, map, or land-use reference before finalizing setbacks, height, lot coverage, access, drainage, or accessory structure placement.

Open planning reference ↗

Source trail

Official sources for this profile

Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.

Agency websiteOpen official source ↗Permit portalOpen official source ↗Application instructionsOpen official source ↗Fee scheduleOpen official source ↗Planning or zoning referenceOpen official source ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Brown County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

This record is marked Municipal Fallback. Confirm whether a city, state agency, or other local authority controls the parcel before filing.

How should I begin an application?

Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 920-448-3300; Brown County shoreland, floodplain, and private-sewage permits: 920-448-6480.

How long might review take?

Approximately one week after all required application information is received.

How are inspections scheduled?

Request an inspection at https://greenbaywi.gov/ScheduleInspection or call 920-448-3300 at least one business day in advance. Required stages depend on the project and can include footing, foundation, dampproofing or stone, framing and trade rough-ins, insulation, utility service, and finals. A final inspection is required for every project. Contact Brown County at 920-448-6480 separately for shoreland, floodplain, wetland, or private-sewage inspections outside the city's building program.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

City of Green Bay Chapter 8 Buildings and Construction and Chapter 44 Zoning; Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code SPS 320-325; Wisconsin Commercial Building Code SPS 361-366; SPS 316 electrical code; and SPS 381-387 plumbing provisions, with Green Bay acting as an appointed agent under SPS 361.60 and SPS 382. General building permits are municipal rather than countywide. Brown County separately enforces Chapter 22 shorelands and Chapter 23 floodplains in unincorporated areas, and Chapter 11 private sewage where public sewer is unavailable. A building permit is generally not required for purely cosmetic painting or flooring, kitchen-cabinet replacement, insulating a detached garage, residential re-roofing without structural change, residential siding, an exact-size residential window replacement, a same-type water-heater replacement, a shed under 50 square feet, razing a building under 150 square feet, ordinary landscaping below the retaining-wall or berm threshold, residential tents, or small kiddie pools. Zoning, trade, egress, shoreland, floodplain, or sanitary rules can still apply. Owner-occupants may perform their own work; rental or other non-owner-occupied property requires appropriately licensed contractors.

Field sequencing matters

The inspector needs to see the work at the right moment.

Code compliance is not only a plan-review exercise. Footings, reinforcement, framing, fireblocking, wiring, piping, insulation, weather protection, and life-safety systems each have points where the work must remain accessible. Build the inspection calendar into the trade schedule instead of treating it as a final administrative step.

When a project qualifies for a narrow minor-work exemption, keep a written explanation of why it qualifies and confirm that related zoning, utility, fire, energy, or environmental rules do not create a separate approval requirement.

Closeout file

Keep the approved plan set, inspection approvals, correction responses, contractor license verification, final certificate, and any occupancy release together. A clean record protects the owner, builder, lender, insurer, and future buyer.