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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Pepin County
county materials say a permit is needed before starting development activities; development includes excavating, dredging, grading, and related work.
Required documents
- completed application, checklist, site plan drawn to scale, sanitary permit if applicable, and permit fee. Shoreland/floodplain/bluffland projects need more detailed site plans.
- Building code
- county zoning page references state-mandated sanitary, floodplain, and shoreland rules. UDC building work is not administered directly by the county in the same way as land use; the county permit packet says all towns require Uniform Dwelling Code permits issued by Fred Weber.
- Permit validity
- land use permits are valid for 1 year, except floodplain permits which are valid for 6 months. No substantial work must commence within that time or the permit becomes void. One extension may be requested before expiration.
- Owner-builder
- county materials state Wisconsin property owners cannot install their own septic system.
- Contractor requirements
- sanitary work requires a licensed plumber; septic design and installation are handled by a plumber after soil testing. County resources also list certified soil testers, plumbers, pumpers, surveyors, and floodplain engineers.
§ 03
Fee schedule
Pepin County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
land use permit fees vary by permit type; highway setback land use permit is $100 and sign permit is $50
02
Plan check fee
not separately published in a standalone fee table; applications require review of site plan and ordinance compliance
03
Permit fee formula
bluffland, great river road preservation, floodplain, and shoreland primary structures are $200; non-enclosed accessory structures are $100; grading/filling/paving related activities are $100; site inspection before permit is $50; sanitary permits vary by system type
04
Reinspection fee
fees double when work begins before permit issuance or required approvals
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- call the zoning office at 715-672-8897 for county land use questions; sanitary inspections are arranged through county s (phone)
- Inspection hours
- county office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Typical sequence: submit application, county review, obtain permit, complete work, county inspection, and certificate of compliance where required.
sanitary inspections must be done no later than the end of the next workday after 24-hour notice from the plumber in charge.
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Pepin County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Pepin County, WI? ▸
county materials say a permit is needed before starting development activities; development includes excavating, dredging, grading, and related work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Pepin County, WI? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Pepin County, WI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is land use permit fees vary by permit type; highway setback land use permit is $100 and sign permit is $50. Fees are calculated as: bluffland, great river road preservation, floodplain, and shoreland primary structures are $200; non-enclosed accessory structures are $100; grading/filling/paving related activities are $100; site inspection before permit is $50; sanitary permits vary by system type. Plan check fee: not separately published in a standalone fee table; applications require review of site plan and ordinance compliance.
03 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pepin County, WI? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pepin County, WI via: call the zoning office at 715-672-8897 for county land use questions; sanitary inspections are arranged through county s.
last verified April 2026
source Pepin County Land Conservation and Planning Department, Zoning staff ↗
entry id permits/wisconsin/pepin/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Pepin County Land Conservation and Planning Department, Zoning staff before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.