Kenosha County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Kenosha County does not operate one unified countywide building department for every municipality. County zoning and sanitary permits apply countywide in different combinations. County building permits apply directly in Brighton, Paris, Salem Lakes, and certain county-routed cases, while City of Kenosha, Bristol, Genoa City, Paddock Lake, Pleasant Prairie, Twin Lakes, Randall, Wheatland, and Somers retain some local permit functions.

Department

Kenosha County Division of Planning and Development

Address

19600 75th Street, Suite 185-3, Bristol, WI 53104-9772

Phone

(262) 857-1895

Email

See department pages and permit forms for staff contacts

Website

https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/1020/Planning-Development

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm municipality routing against the county matrix because permit authority is split by jurisdiction and permit type.
2. Prepare the applicable county zoning, sanitary, shoreland, floodplain, or building forms and supporting plans.
3. Submit through eTRAKiT or at the Planning and Development office in Bristol.
4. County staff review for completeness, assign fees, and route to the assigned zoning administrator and/or building inspector.
5. Corrections or supplemental documents are requested if needed.
6. Permit is issued after approvals and fee payment; inspections then follow with the assigned inspector or the relevant local municipality where county routing does not apply.

Source: Kenosha County Division of Planning and Development

General Requirements

County zoning, shoreland, floodplain, sanitary, and some building permits are required depending on the municipality and project. The county routing chart is mandatory reference material in Kenosha County.

Required Documents

• Application form
• Site plan or plat
• Construction plans
• Sanitary permit data where private systems are involved
• Specialized shoreland/floodplain or land use attachments

Building code

County zoning and land use ordinances plus Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code and related state codes where the county administers building permits

Owner-builder

Wisconsin uniform permit forms are used in county-routed jurisdictions; owner-builder rules follow Wisconsin UDC form requirements where applicable

Contractor requirements

Wisconsin trade and dwelling-contractor licensing requirements apply where applicable; local and county forms commonly request contractor license information

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$15-$60 depending on permit type (county zoning fees as low as $50 for fences, $60 for decks and pools; county building assessment fees as low as $15)

Plan check fee

Included in some county review categories; separate line items apply for certain land use and development reviews

Permit fee formula

Mostly flat-fee by permit type, with some per-unit, per-building, acreage, escrow, and land-use formulas

Reinspection fee

Not clearly summarized in one countywide public page reviewed

Penalty (no permit)

Not clearly summarized

Payment note

eTRAKiT supports online processing; in-person county submission remains available

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Kenosha County Division of Planning and Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT (portal)
• (262) 857-1895 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, staged construction inspections, corrections if needed, final inspection

Additional Resources

• Building code: County zoning and land use ordinances plus Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code and related state codes where the county administers building permits
• Verify contractor license: Wisconsin DSPS License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Kenosha County Zoning and Building Routing Documentation
• License lookup guide: Wisconsin Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Wisconsin Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Wisconsin hub: Wisconsin Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha County Building Permit FAQ

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

County zoning, shoreland, floodplain, sanitary, and some building permits are required depending on the municipality and project. The county routing chart is mandatory reference material in Kenosha County.

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

The minimum permit fee is $15-$60 depending on permit type (county zoning fees as low as $50 for fences, $60 for decks and pools; county building assessment fees as low as $15). Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat-fee by permit type, with some per-unit, per-building, acreage, escrow, and land-use formulas. Plan check fee: Included in some county review categories; separate line items apply for certain land use and development reviews.

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

1. Confirm municipality routing against the county matrix because permit authority is split by jurisdiction and permit type. 2. Prepare the applicable county zoning, sanitary, shoreland, floodplain, or building forms and supporting plans. 3. Submit through eTRAKiT or at the Planning and Development office in Bristol. 4. County staff review for completeness, assign fees, and route to the assigned zoning administrator and/or building inspector. 5. Corrections or supplemental documents are requested if needed. 6. Permit is issued after approvals and fee payment; inspections then follow with the assigned inspector or the relevant local municipality where county routing does not apply.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: eTRAKiT, (262) 857-1895.