Green Lake County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County land use, shoreland, floodplain, erosion control, POWTS, land division, and zoning administration in county-administered areas.

Department

Green Lake County Land Use Planning and Zoning Department

Address

571 County Road A, Green Lake, WI 54941

Phone

920-294-4156

Website

https://www.greenlakecountywi.gov/departments/land-use-planning-zoning/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Start with the county Land Use Permit Application.
2. Prepare a scaled site plan.
3. Submit the completed application with the fee based on construction value.
4. County review may include zoning, shoreland, floodplain, erosion control, or POWTS review depending on the parcel and project.

Source: Green Lake County Land Use Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

A land use permit is required for land-disturbing activity, including placement or alteration of buildings or structures, within zoned towns or areas under county ordinance jurisdiction.

Required Documents

• County Land Use Permit Application
• Scaled site plan
• Fee based on construction value

Building code

Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 381-387 is referenced for septic systems; one- and two-family dwelling code is generally administered under Wisconsin UDC rules at the local inspection level.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 for $0 to $999 of project value

Permit fee formula

Construction value based schedule; ordinance text lists value-based fees from $50 up to $1,250 and says permit renewals are the same as the original fee.

Reinspection fee

After-the-fact permit is double the original land use permit fee per county ordinance text.

Penalty (no permit)

Violation forfeiture ranges from $50 to $5,000 per offense.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Green Lake County Land Use Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Contact the department directly (direct)

Inspection hours

Office hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Typical inspection sequence: County ordinances provide for regular inspections of permitted work in progress and stop-work orders for violations.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 381-387 is referenced for septic systems; one- and two-family dwelling code is generally administered under Wisconsin UDC rules at the local inspection level.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County land use and zoning fees
• County ordinance PDF
• GIS viewer
• Search and view permits
• License lookup guide: Wisconsin Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Wisconsin Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Wisconsin hub: Wisconsin Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Lake County Building Permit FAQ

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

A land use permit is required for land-disturbing activity, including placement or alteration of buildings or structures, within zoned towns or areas under county ordinance jurisdiction.

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

The minimum permit fee is $50 for $0 to $999 of project value. Fees are calculated as: Construction value based schedule; ordinance text lists value-based fees from $50 up to $1,250 and says permit renewals are the same as the original fee..

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

1. Start with the county Land Use Permit Application. 2. Prepare a scaled site plan. 3. Submit the completed application with the fee based on construction value. 4. County review may include zoning, shoreland, floodplain, erosion control, or POWTS review depending on the parcel and project.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Green Lake County, WI?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact the department directly.