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City building permits

Franklin

How to apply for a building permit in Franklin, Wisconsin. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Inspection Services

Street address
9229 W Loomis Road, Franklin, WI 53132
Coverage
City of Franklin permit issuance, inspections, code enforcement, drive approach permits, culvert permits, and delegated commercial review.
Online portal
BS&A Online
BS&A Online
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Franklin

Franklin states permits are required for new one- and two-family dwellings, additions, remodels affecting living space or structural components, pools, drive approaches, culverts, electrical work, siding, demolition, occupancy changes for commercial and industrial uses, foundation repair, and miscellaneous listed permit types.

Required documents
  • Application
  • project-specific plans
  • specifications
  • and supporting handouts
  • commercial work may require plan review packages through E-Plan Exam.
Building code
Franklin states it adopts state and local building, plumbing, and electrical codes; city also functions as a fully delegated municipality for commercial review.
Permit validity
Extension fees are listed in Franklin fee schedules; verify current duration and extension rules per permit type.
Owner-builder
Online permit program is for licensed contractors only; homeowners still may submit other applications directly where allowed.
Contractor requirements
Franklin states contractors for one- and two-family new construction, additions, alterations, residing, and foundation repair must have valid Wisconsin certifications; electrical permits must be obtained by a master electrician licensed in Wisconsin.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Minimum 10 business days for one- and two-family new construction, additions, and alterations; commercial plan review within 15 business days after complete paperwork and fees.

  1. 01
    Determine whether the project fits the City's online permit table or must be submitted another way.
  2. 02
    For eligible licensed-contractor jobs, create a BS&A Online account and obtain a City PIN from Inspection Services.
  3. 03
    Upload application information and required documents, or submit paper applications in person or by mail for other permit types.
  4. 04
    For commercial building, HVAC, and plumbing plan review handled through Franklin's delegated status, submit plan review through E-Plan Exam when required.
  5. 05
    Pay assessed fees.
  6. 06
    Wait for permit issuance; Franklin states some permits are processed while you wait, but many are reviewed in order received.
  7. 07
    Call for required inspections and obtain final approval.

Typical processing time: Minimum 10 business days for one- and two-family new construction, additions, and alterations; commercial plan review within 15 business days after complete paperwork and fees.

Source: Inspection Services ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Franklin building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Review the applicable Franklin fee sheet; commercial and residential schedules vary by discipline.
02
Plan check fee
Franklin publishes separate plan review fees for residential and E-Plan Exam commercial review.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed; project-type sheets use square-foot, valuation, and flat-fee methods depending on permit.
04
Reinspection fee
Extensions and other fee changes are listed in current fee schedules; confirm project-specific penalties with staff.

Check, City Hall drop box, Treasury counter credit card, and online payment options are offered; service fees apply to some online payments.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • 414-425-0084 (phone)
Inspection hours
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical sequence: Permit issuance, discipline inspections during work, then final approval or occupancy where applicable.

Project-specific inspection lists are posted by the City for commercial work.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Franklin permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Franklin, WI?
Franklin states permits are required for new one- and two-family dwellings, additions, remodels affecting living space or structural components, pools, drive approaches, culverts, electrical work, siding, demolition, occupancy changes for commercial and industrial uses, foundation repair, and miscellaneous listed permit types.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Franklin, WI?
Building permit fees in Franklin, WI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Review the applicable Franklin fee sheet; commercial and residential schedules vary by discipline.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed; project-type sheets use square-foot, valuation, and flat-fee methods depending on permit.. Plan check fee: Franklin publishes separate plan review fees for residential and E-Plan Exam commercial review..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Franklin, WI?
To apply for a building permit in Franklin, WI, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project fits the City's online permit table or must be submitted another way. 2. For eligible licensed-contractor jobs, create a BS&A Online account and obtain a City PIN from Inspection Services. 3. Upload application information and required documents, or submit paper applications in person or by mail for other permit types. 4. For commercial building, HVAC, and plumbing plan review handled through Franklin's delegated status, submit plan review through E-Plan Exam when required. 5. Pay assessed fees. 6. Wait for permit issuance; Franklin states some permits are processed while you wait, but many are reviewed in order received. 7. Call for required inspections and obtain final approval.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Franklin, WI?
Building permit processing times in Franklin, WI typically run Minimum 10 business days for one- and two-family new construction, additions, and alterations; commercial plan review within 15 business days after complete paperwork and fees.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Franklin, WI?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Franklin, WI via: 414-425-0084.
last verified April 2026 source Inspection Services ↗ entry id permits/wisconsin/milwaukee/franklin

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Inspection Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.