County Building Permits
Green County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Green County, Wisconsin. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Green County, county zoning, shoreland, floodplain, subdivision review, and UDC administration for covered small municipalities.
- Department
- Green County Zoning Department
- Address
- Green County Courthouse, 1016 16th Ave, Monroe, WI 53566
- Phone
- 608-328-9410
- zoning@greencountywi.org
Application Process
- Start with zoning review for the parcel and proposed work.
- File the relevant zoning or land use permit application with the Zoning Department.
- For one and two family dwellings, file the administrative building permit under county UDC administration if the town or municipality is covered by county enforcement.
- Pay the fee at time of issuance.
- County review may include site photos, setbacks, floodplain or shoreland review, and inspection.
- Issuance timing: the code says certificate of compliance is issued within 10 days after completion if compliant; the code also says the zoning administrator shall approve, conditionally approve, or reject certified survey maps within 45 calendar days.
Source: Green County Zoning Department
General Requirements
New dwellings, additions of 100 square feet or more, open porches or decks of any size, accessory and farm structures, structural alterations, floodplain or shoreland permits, fences where required, signs, towers, wireless communication facilities, change of use, and other land use work listed in the county code.
Required Documents
- County application
- Site plan or survey where applicable
- Any required state forms
- Township approvals if applicable
- Fee
- Building code
- Wisconsin one and two family dwelling code enforcement under Wis. Stat. 101.651, with Wisconsin SPS 320 to 325 applicable statewide.
- Contractor requirements
- No county contractor licensing rule located in the reviewed pages.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Residential fees are tied to structure type and size; accessory and farm structure fees are tied to square footage; other land use permits are set by the committee.
- Reinspection fee
- If work starts before permit issuance, fees are doubled; if permit is not obtained within 30 days of notification, fees are tripled.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- 99 square feet or less for certain nonresidential accessory or farm structures, if setback and open space requirements are met.
- Some county code items may still be subject to zoning compliance even where no construction permit is required.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Contact the Zoning Department directly (direct)
Typical inspection sequence: County may inspect walls before backfill, may inspect permitted work in progress, and may inspect for certificate of compliance after work completion.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Wisconsin one and two family dwelling code enforcement under Wis. Stat. 101.651, with Wisconsin SPS 320 to 325 applicable statewide.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County code PDF
- Municipalities page
- License lookup guide: Wisconsin Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Wisconsin Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Wisconsin hub: Wisconsin Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Green County Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Green County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Green County, WI?
- New dwellings, additions of 100 square feet or more, open porches or decks of any size, accessory and farm structures, structural alterations, floodplain or shoreland permits, fences where required, signs, towers, wireless communication facilities, change of use, and other land use work listed in the county code.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Green County, WI?
- Fees are calculated as: Residential fees are tied to structure type and size; accessory and farm structure fees are tied to square footage; other land use permits are set by the committee..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Green County, WI?
- 1. Start with zoning review for the parcel and proposed work. 2. File the relevant zoning or land use permit application with the Zoning Department. 3. For one and two family dwellings, file the administrative building permit under county UDC administration if the town or municipality is covered by county enforcement. 4. Pay the fee at time of issuance. 5. County review may include site photos, setbacks, floodplain or shoreland review, and inspection. 6. Issuance timing: the code says certificate of compliance is issued within 10 days after completion if compliant; the code also says the zoning administrator shall approve, conditionally approve, or reject certified survey maps within 45 calendar days.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Green County, WI?
- The following work is generally exempt: 99 square feet or less for certain nonresidential accessory or farm structures, if setback and open space requirements are met.; Some county code items may still be subject to zoning compliance even where no construction permit is required..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Green County, WI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact the Zoning Department directly.
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