Grant County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Grant County; county zoning ordinance applies to unincorporated lands and waters except where municipal extraterritorial zoning or other exclusions apply.

Department

Grant County Conservation, Sanitation, and Zoning Department

Address

150 West Alona Lane, Suite 1, Lancaster, WI 53813

Phone

608-723-6080

Website

https://gcinternetwebsite.co.grant.wi.gov/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Start with zoning review and permit application through CSZD.
2. County ordinance says the zoning administrator issues zoning permits when the proposal complies; conditional use permits are decided by the CSZ Committee.

Source: Grant County Conservation, Sanitation, and Zoning Department

General Requirements

County zoning permit required for regulated work in unincorporated areas; no zoning permit required for some older or low-value work, but see exemptions below.

Required Documents

• Zoning permit application
• For conditional uses or planned unit development, duplicate application
• Site plan
• Any additional information requested by the administrator or committee

Building code

County zoning ordinance references Wisconsin statutes and local zoning administration; no separate public county building code adoption notice located.

Contractor requirements

No county-specific contractor registration rule located publicly, but state dwelling contractor and plumber licensing rules still apply where relevant.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Fees are set in a separate fee schedule amended by the CSZ Committee.

Penalty (no permit)

Forfeiture of not less than $200 and not more than $500, plus costs and attorney fees, for each day of zoning violation.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Maintenance repairs regardless of cost
• Improvements or alterations to an existing structure of $500 or less that do not change use or encroach on yard or open space requirements
• Accessory structures costing $500 or less still require a permit, but the applicant is exempt from the permit fee

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Zoning administrator may inspect land or water at any reasonable time; building inspection is not clearly separated from zoning in public materials reviewed.

Additional Resources

• Building code: County zoning ordinance references Wisconsin statutes and local zoning administration; no separate public county building code adoption notice located.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Grant County Land Info Plan
• License lookup guide: Wisconsin Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Wisconsin Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Wisconsin hub: Wisconsin Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Grant County Building Permit FAQ

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

County zoning permit required for regulated work in unincorporated areas; no zoning permit required for some older or low-value work, but see exemptions below.

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

Fees are calculated as: Fees are set in a separate fee schedule amended by the CSZ Committee..

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

1. Start with zoning review and permit application through CSZD. 2. County ordinance says the zoning administrator issues zoning permits when the proposal complies; conditional use permits are decided by the CSZ Committee.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Grant County, WI?

The following work is generally exempt: Maintenance repairs regardless of cost; Improvements or alterations to an existing structure of $500 or less that do not change use or encroach on yard or open space requirements; Accessory structures costing $500 or less still require a permit, but the applicant is exempt from the permit fee.