Outagamie County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Outagamie County does not function as a single countywide building department for all unincorporated land. The county zoning page states DLS administers county zoning in 13 of the 19 townships, plus county sanitary, shoreland-wetland, floodplain, subdivision, and erosion-control functions. Building permits in unincorporated areas are routed through the applicable town or its contracted inspector.

Department

Outagamie County Development and Land Services, Zoning Administration

Address

Outagamie County Government Center, 3rd Floor, 320 S Walnut Street, Appleton, WI 54911

Phone

920-832-1686 general inquiries; zoning administrator 920-832-5046

Email

Public page lists staff contacts through the staff directory , zoning administrator listed as Isaac Uitenbroek

Website

https://www.outagamie.org/government/n-through-z/zoning-administration

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Outagamie County and whether county zoning, shoreland, floodplain, stormwater, erosion-control, or sanitary approvals apply.
2. Check the county zoning jurisdiction map and planning and zoning permit applications page.
3. Submit the county application through CityView or with county forms if the work requires county zoning, sanitary, shoreland, floodplain, or related land-use approval.
4. Separately obtain the building permit from the town or contracted municipal inspector because the county does not issue one unified county building permit for all unincorporated structures.
5. Pay county fees and wait for county approval before starting regulated work.

Source: Outagamie County Development and Land Services, Zoning Administration

General Requirements

County approval is required for regulated zoning, shoreland, floodplain, erosion-control, subdivision, and sanitary work in covered unincorporated areas; structure permits are handled locally by the town or its inspector.

Required Documents

• County application form
• parcel information
• site plan
• and supporting materials required by the specific zoning
• sanitary
• or land-use application.

Building code

County page focuses on zoning, shoreland-wetland, floodplain, subdivision, and sanitary administration rather than a single county building code department.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Mixed; county schedule uses flat fees by permit/application type

Reinspection fee

Vary by permit type; review county schedule and application form

Payment note

County accepts CityView portal payments for online filings and also maintains paper forms

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Applicants should not assume exemption for work in shoreland, floodplain, erosion-control, or sanitary regulated areas.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• County inspections depend on permit type; sanitary and land-use inspections are coordinated with county staff, while building inspections are scheduled with the town or contracted inspector. (phone)

Inspection hours

County office hours were not clearly posted on the zoning page reviewed.

Typical inspection sequence: County land-use approval first where applicable, then local building inspections through the town or inspector, then county sanitary or land-use closeout if applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: County page focuses on zoning, shoreland-wetland, floodplain, subdivision, and sanitary administration rather than a single county building code department.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: Wisconsin Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Wisconsin Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Wisconsin hub: Wisconsin Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Outagamie County Building Permit FAQ

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

County approval is required for regulated zoning, shoreland, floodplain, erosion-control, subdivision, and sanitary work in covered unincorporated areas; structure permits are handled locally by the town or its inspector.

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

Fees are calculated as: Mixed; county schedule uses flat fees by permit/application type.

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

1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Outagamie County and whether county zoning, shoreland, floodplain, stormwater, erosion-control, or sanitary approvals apply. 2. Check the county zoning jurisdiction map and planning and zoning permit applications page. 3. Submit the county application through CityView or with county forms if the work requires county zoning, sanitary, shoreland, floodplain, or related land-use approval. 4. Separately obtain the building permit from the town or contracted municipal inspector because the county does not issue one unified county building permit for all unincorporated structures. 5. Pay county fees and wait for county approval before starting regulated work.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Applicants should not assume exemption for work in shoreland, floodplain, erosion-control, or sanitary regulated areas..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: County inspections depend on permit type; sanitary and land-use inspections are coordinated with county staff, while building inspections are scheduled with the town or contracted inspector..