County Permit SearchU.S. compliance directory
WisconsinWaushara County

Administrative overview · FIPS 55137

Waushara County permit authority

The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.

Jurisdictional status

County

This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.

Responsible agency

Waushara County Building Code and Inspections / General Engineering Company

For a project in or near Waushara County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.

Direct contact

920-787-6510

Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.

Permit counter

Waushara County Government Center, 380 South Townline Road, Wautoma, WI 54982

Operating hours

Building inspector office hours Monday-Friday, 8:00-9:00 AM Central; Zoning office Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Central

Review expectation

Ask the agency for its current review estimate

Compliance workbench

Choose the next project decision.

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.

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Waushara County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Waushara County Building Code and Inspections / General Engineering Company is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area 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 920-787-6510.

How long might review take?

A typical review timeline was not verified. Ask the agency for its current completeness and review estimate.

How are inspections scheduled?

Call the Waushara County inspection office at 920-787-6510 at least 48 hours in advance. Required stages include footing, foundation, rough carpentry/HVAC/electrical/plumbing, drain tile or basement floor, underfloor plumbing, electric service, insulation, final carpentry and trades, and erosion control. Failure to request an inspection does not constitute approval; the owner or contractor pays the cost of exposing concealed work. County inspectors are John Siebert at 608-697-7773 and Matt Aldridge at 608-683-6584.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Waushara County administers Uniform Dwelling Code permits and inspections for remodeling, additions, new one- and two-family dwellings, applicable pools and electrical services in all municipalities except the City of Wautoma, Village of Wild Rose and new one- and two-family construction in the Town of Warren. County Code Chapter 8 incorporates Wisconsin UDC SPS 320-325 and applicable SPS 327 requirements, SPS 316 electrical, state plumbing and HVAC provisions, and commercial plan requirements under SPS 361-366. County land-use zoning is governed by Chapter 58 and covers all 18 towns except specified non-shoreland portions of Warren. County Chapter 8 exempts detached one- and two-family accessory structures, children's play structures, agricultural barns/sheds/accessory buildings and residential swimming pools from the general building permit, although zoning, electrical or other approvals may still apply. Minor maintenance repairs that do not affect structural components, room arrangement, light/ventilation, exits, fire protection, exterior appearance or occupancy are exempt. Structural alterations require a building permit when market value exceeds $2,000 or affected area reaches 150 square feet; county land-use permits are exempt only when a building, alteration or addition is both under 150 square feet and under $2,000 market value.

Before contacting the permit counter

Have the project facts ready.

A productive call starts with a clear description of the property and proposed work. Keep the site address, parcel or assessor number, project valuation, existing occupancy, approximate square footage, structural scope, contractor information, and desired start date in front of you. Those facts help the Authority Having Jurisdiction route the question to building, planning, fire, environmental health, or another reviewing discipline.

Questions worth asking

  • • Is the parcel inside an incorporated city or county service area?
  • • Does this scope require building, trade, zoning, fire, or site permits?
  • • What plans and supporting documents make the submittal complete?
  • • How much lead time is needed for each inspection?