On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Richland County
land use permit is required for most new construction and larger site work; county brochure says a state building permit is required in all townships for new residences or residential additions
Maintenance including reroofing, residing, window replacement, painting, new furnace, plumbing update, electrical update, and wallpapering
Structure under 120 square feet without a foundation
- Exempt Maintenance including reroofing, residing, window replacement, painting, new furnace, plumbing update, electrical update, and wallpapering
- Exempt Structure under 120 square feet without a foundation
Required documents
- application form, scaled drawing, parcel and owner info, related approvals, and permit-specific support documents
- Building code
- Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code for one- and two-family dwellings; county also regulates zoning, sanitation, floodplain, shoreland/wetland, and land division
- Contractor requirements
- plumber submits sanitary permit; driveway approvals may involve township or highway department; UDC building permit comes from the local inspector
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm zoning district, setbacks, floodplain, shoreland, wetland, driveway, and sanitation needs.
- 02 File any required soil test, sanitary permit, driveway approval, and county address sign request before construction.
- 03 Submit the land use permit application with a scaled drawing showing north, distances to road, structures, septic, well, lot lines, and OHWM when applicable.
- 04 County reviews the application and related approvals.
- 05 Permit is issued after approvals are complete.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Richland County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
land use permits start at $75 for some additions, but most residential land use permits show a minimum of $225.00
02
Permit fee formula
20 cents per square foot for single-family and multi-family residence land use permits, based on main floor or 1/2 total living space if 3+ floors
03
Reinspection fee
late fee $500 plus original fee; reinspection fee not separately published for land use permits
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- county pages do not publish a standard inspection scheduling window; contact the Zoning and Sanitation Department by pho (online)
- Inspection hours
- office hours 7:30am to 4:30pm or 8:30am to 4:30pm on portal pages, depending on page source
Typical sequence: submit application and required prereqs, county reviews, then inspections as needed
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Richland County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Richland County, WI? ▸
land use permit is required for most new construction and larger site work; county brochure says a state building permit is required in all townships for new residences or residential additions
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Richland County, WI? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Richland County, WI are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is land use permits start at $75 for some additions, but most residential land use permits show a minimum of $225.00. Fees are calculated as: 20 cents per square foot for single-family and multi-family residence land use permits, based on main floor or 1/2 total living space if 3+ floors.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Richland County, WI? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Richland County, WI, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning district, setbacks, floodplain, shoreland, wetland, driveway, and sanitation needs. 2. File any required soil test, sanitary permit, driveway approval, and county address sign request before construction. 3. Submit the land use permit application with a scaled drawing showing north, distances to road, structures, septic, well, lot lines, and OHWM when applicable. 4. County reviews the application and related approvals. 5. Permit is issued after approvals are complete.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Richland County, WI? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Richland County, WI. The following work is generally exempt: Maintenance including reroofing, residing, window replacement, painting, new furnace, plumbing update, electrical update, and wallpapering; Structure under 120 square feet without a foundation. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Richland County, WI? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Richland County, WI via: county pages do not publish a standard inspection scheduling window; contact the Zoning and Sanitation Department by pho.
last verified April 2026
source Richland County Zoning and Sanitation Department ↗
entry id permits/wisconsin/richland/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Richland County Zoning and Sanitation Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.