Chippewa County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County zoning, shoreland zoning, floodplain, UDC for one- and two-family dwellings, POWTS, wells, addresses, and related county land-use approvals in the unincorporated county area and other county-administered areas as applicable

Department

Chippewa County Department of Planning and Zoning

Address

711 N Bridge Street, Room 9, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

Phone

715-726-7940

Website

https://www.chippewacountywi.gov/174/Planning-Zoning

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Identify the permit type and whether county zoning, shoreland, floodplain, sanitary, or UDC approval applies.
2. For online types, create a Catalis account, confirm the email, and sign in to the public portal.
3. For paper permit types, use the county application packet and submit the completed form with site plan, floor plan, and elevations where required.
4. County staff review the package. Missing information must be corrected within 7 days or the submission is returned and fees are refunded minus a $70 service charge.
5. Once approved, the county issues the permit or forwards the application to the building inspector or related reviewer as required.

Source: Chippewa County Department of Planning and Zoning

General Requirements

County zoning application required for buildings and structures under county zoning, shoreland zoning, and floodplain ordinances. County ordinance requires a state uniform building permit for any one-family or two-family dwelling before construction.

Required Documents

• Site plan
• Floor plan
• Side views/building elevations
• Applicable fee
• Project-specific addenda. For UDC dwellings, three full sets of house plans, energy worksheets, erosion control/plot plan, and related attachments are required.

Permit validity

The county zoning permit is subject to county review timing and return rules; expiration duration was not cleanly captured in the source extract.

Building code

Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, Wisconsin Admin Code SPS 320-325, adopted by reference in county ordinance for one- and two-family dwellings.

Owner-builder

The county UDC checklist includes a Wisconsin Uniform Building Permit Application through DSPS for new dwellings and requires contractor names, license numbers, phone numbers, and mailing addresses for all contractors and subcontractors. Non-owner applicants for dwellings must provide a Certificate of Financial Responsibility.

Contractor requirements

State contractor licensing and DSPS submission requirements apply for UDC dwellings.

Fees

Plan check fee

UDC dwelling base fee starts at $725.00 per county checklist; county fee schedule lists UDC dwelling fees of $1,295.00 for a new custom/stick-built single-family dwelling up to 4,000 sq ft and $1,365.00 for a new custom/stick-built two-family dwelling up to 4,000 sq ft

Permit fee formula

Mixed flat-fee schedule by permit type and size category

Reinspection fee

Return inspection $100; site not staked triggers a $100 re-inspection fee

Penalty (no permit)

After-the-fact fee is 5 times the original fee

Payment note

Zoning permit refund prior to permit issuance is original fee minus $70.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Chippewa County Department of Planning and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours

County on-site inspection note says inspections may occur Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, during the life of the permit

Typical inspection sequence: County zoning / shoreland / floodplain review, then UDC or related approvals, then inspections and final sign-off

Re-inspection fee charged if the site is not flagged; return inspection fee is $100

Additional Resources

• Building code: Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, Wisconsin Admin Code SPS 320-325, adopted by reference in county ordinance for one- and two-family dwellings.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Application Forms
• Online Permit Applications
• License lookup guide: Wisconsin Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Wisconsin Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Wisconsin hub: Wisconsin Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Chippewa County Building Permit FAQ

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

County zoning application required for buildings and structures under county zoning, shoreland zoning, and floodplain ordinances. County ordinance requires a state uniform building permit for any one-family or two-family dwelling before construction.

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

Fees are calculated as: Mixed flat-fee schedule by permit type and size category. Plan check fee: UDC dwelling base fee starts at $725.00 per county checklist; county fee schedule lists UDC dwelling fees of $1,295.00 for a new custom/stick-built single-family dwelling up to 4,000 sq ft and $1,365.00 for a new custom/stick-built two-family dwelling up to 4,000 sq ft.

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

1. Identify the permit type and whether county zoning, shoreland, floodplain, sanitary, or UDC approval applies. 2. For online types, create a Catalis account, confirm the email, and sign in to the public portal. 3. For paper permit types, use the county application packet and submit the completed form with site plan, floor plan, and elevations where required. 4. County staff review the package. Missing information must be corrected within 7 days or the submission is returned and fees are refunded minus a $70 service charge. 5. Once approved, the county issues the permit or forwards the application to the building inspector or related reviewer as required.