County Building Permits
Shawano County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Shawano County, Wisconsin. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Shawano County. The county administers zoning, shoreland-wetland, floodplain, land division, POWTS/sanitary, and related site approvals. The county materials do not read like a single countywide building department for ordinary structural permits in every unincorporated location; town-level permits may also apply.
- Department
- Shawano County Planning and Development Department
- Address
- 311 N. Main St., Shawano, WI 54166, lower level of the courthouse
- Phone
- (715) 526-6766
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Downloadable forms and office-managed intake • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm whether the project needs a land use permit, shoreland disturbance permit, sanitary permit, driveway permit, or other county approval.
- Complete the Preliminary Land Use Application or applicable county form.
- Submit the form and any required site information to Planning and Development.
- County staff reviews the project and advises what additional permits or approvals are needed.
- Pay the fee by cash or check, then receive the county permit.
General Requirements
A land use permit is required anytime a structure is built, moved, or structurally altered in the county zoning context. Examples posted by the county include new dwellings, additions, garage moves, decks, patios, and replacement sheds.
Required Documents
- Preliminary Land Use Application, site plan or sketch, project description, and any county-specific supporting information. The county page says it will tell the applicant what else is needed after review.
- Permit validity
- Land use permits are valid for 12 months and may be renewed for an additional year before expiration.
- Building code
- County pages reference Wisconsin state codes for dwellings, but the county authority is primarily zoning/site regulation rather than a countywide building code office.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- County fee schedule shows some minor structures at $0.00, but the standard minimum building-related county fee shown on the schedule is $75 for 911 address issuance and $125 for several small permit categories
- Plan check fee
- Not separately labeled as a general plan check fee in the public schedule reviewed
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed flat-fee schedule, with fees varying by project type, structure size, and permit type
- Reinspection fee
- After-the-fact work is tripled or 2% of project cost, whichever is greater; minor structures with no fee are assessed a $300 after-the-fact fee
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Shawano County Planning and Development Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- By phone or through county staff after permit issuance (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Fridays are closed to the public
After-the-fact fee language applies if work starts before permit issuance
Additional Resources
- Building code: County pages reference Wisconsin state codes for dwellings, but the county authority is primarily zoning/site regulation rather than a countywide building code office.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Other useful links
- License lookup guide: Wisconsin Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Wisconsin Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Wisconsin hub: Wisconsin Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Shawano County Planning and Development Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shawano County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Shawano County, WI?
- A land use permit is required anytime a structure is built, moved, or structurally altered in the county zoning context. Examples posted by the county include new dwellings, additions, garage moves, decks, patios, and replacement sheds.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Shawano County, WI?
- The minimum permit fee is County fee schedule shows some minor structures at $0.00, but the standard minimum building-related county fee shown on the schedule is $75 for 911 address issuance and $125 for several small permit categories. Fees are calculated as: Mixed flat-fee schedule, with fees varying by project type, structure size, and permit type. Plan check fee: Not separately labeled as a general plan check fee in the public schedule reviewed.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Shawano County, WI?
- 1. Confirm whether the project needs a land use permit, shoreland disturbance permit, sanitary permit, driveway permit, or other county approval. 2. Complete the Preliminary Land Use Application or applicable county form. 3. Submit the form and any required site information to Planning and Development. 4. County staff reviews the project and advises what additional permits or approvals are needed. 5. Pay the fee by cash or check, then receive the county permit.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Shawano County, WI?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: By phone or through county staff after permit issuance.
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