Ashland County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County zoning/building and related land use permits for the unincorporated county area. The county permit application also notes that local town, village, or city permits may still be required.

Department

Ashland County Zoning Administration

Address

Courthouse, 201 W. Main St., Room 109, Ashland, WI 54806-1652

Phone

715-682-7014

Website

https://ashlandcountywi.gov/23/Zoning

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project needs a permit and determine whether the work is dwelling, accessory structure, non-plumbing, alteration/addition, sanitary, fill/grade, or another permit type.
2. Complete the county application and attach the needed site plan, dimensions, setbacks, septic/well information, and any other supporting documents.
3. Submit the completed application and fee to Zoning Administration, Courthouse, 201 W. Main St., Room 109, Ashland, WI 54806-1652.
4. County staff reviews the application. The form states that no permits are issued until all fees are paid.
5. If the project is in La Pointe, applications are submitted to Town of La Pointe Zoning rather than the county office.
6. Permit is issued after review and payment, then inspections are scheduled as needed.

Source: Ashland County Zoning Administration

General Requirements

The county application covers dwelling, accessory structure, non-plumbing, alteration/addition, sanitary, fill/grade, and other land use work. The county page also points users to building, land use, and zoning permit information generally.

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Fee
• Legal description
• Parcel ID
• Site address
• Site plan with dimensions
• Location of existing and proposed buildings
• Driveway location
• Well/septic/privy locations
• Lake/stream/wetland/floodplain information where applicable

Building code

Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code applies for one- and two-family dwellings and related residential work. The county pages reviewed did not publish a separate local commercial building code adoption statement.

Owner-builder

The county application must be signed by the owner and states the form is not valid unless signed by the owner(s).

Contractor requirements

The county application notes that separate plans submitted by architects, engineers, owners, builders, or contractors must still be signed and dated by the owner.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Published fees start at $75 for unrestricted accessory structure permits and $100 for RV placement or non-refundable permits depending on permit type; the specific minimum depends on the work category

Permit fee formula

Fixed fee schedule by permit type

Reinspection fee

Failure to obtain permit results in double permit fee; renewal of building permit: $150; re-inspection for sanitary system: $100

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Ashland County Zoning Administration to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Submit application and fee, receive permit, then allow county officials access at reasonable times for inspection as stated on the application form.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code applies for one- and two-family dwellings and related residential work. The county pages reviewed did not publish a separate local commercial building code adoption statement.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building permit information
• Zoning regulations
• Zoning resources
• Municipalities list
• License lookup guide: Wisconsin Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Wisconsin Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Wisconsin hub: Wisconsin Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Ashland County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Ashland County, WI?

The county application covers dwelling, accessory structure, non-plumbing, alteration/addition, sanitary, fill/grade, and other land use work. The county page also points users to building, land use, and zoning permit information generally.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Ashland County, WI?

The minimum permit fee is Published fees start at $75 for unrestricted accessory structure permits and $100 for RV placement or non-refundable permits depending on permit type; the specific minimum depends on the work category. Fees are calculated as: Fixed fee schedule by permit type.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ashland County, WI?

1. Confirm the project needs a permit and determine whether the work is dwelling, accessory structure, non-plumbing, alteration/addition, sanitary, fill/grade, or another permit type. 2. Complete the county application and attach the needed site plan, dimensions, setbacks, septic/well information, and any other supporting documents. 3. Submit the completed application and fee to Zoning Administration, Courthouse, 201 W. Main St., Room 109, Ashland, WI 54806-1652. 4. County staff reviews the application. The form states that no permits are issued until all fees are paid. 5. If the project is in La Pointe, applications are submitted to Town of La Pointe Zoning rather than the county office. 6. Permit is issued after review and payment, then inspections are scheduled as needed.