County Building Permits
Taylor County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Taylor County, Wisconsin. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
countywide zoning, sanitary, shoreland, floodplain, airport zoning, subdivision, address system, telecommunications facilities, mining, and related environmental health enforcement in the unincorporated county
- Department
- Taylor County Zoning Department
- Address
- 224 South Second Street, Medford, WI 54451, Courthouse 1st Floor
- Phone
- 715.748.1485
- Website
- https://co.taylor.wi.us/zoning/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: county website form and PDF application links • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm whether the work is in shoreland, sanitary, zoning, or related county jurisdiction.
- Complete the zoning permit or other relevant application.
- Attach site plan and required drawings.
- Stake or flag the project for inspection.
- Submit the application fee.
- County staff may perform preinspection and on-site inspection before issuance.
- Permit is issued or denied by the zoning administrator.
General Requirements
county zoning permit required for regulated work in county jurisdiction; sanitary permits apply for POWTS-related work; shoreland-related work is subject to county review.
Required Documents
- site plan, stake/flag project, application fee, complete set of building floor plans for all floors, at least two elevation view drawings, and excavation/clearing/grading location if applicable.
- Permit validity
- the zoning application form shows issued and expiration dates, but no general posted term was found.
- Building code
- no countywide building code adoption statement was found on the zoning page. The county does administer sanitary code and state plumbing code enforcement in its zoning function.
- Owner-builder
- owner/agent signs the application and is responsible for correct information and compliance with local, state, and federal law.
- Contractor requirements
- agent/builder information may be provided, but no general contractor licensing requirement was posted on the county zoning page.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- zoning permit application fee $100
- Permit fee formula
- no formula published for the zoning permit itself; permit fee is flat on the posted county page
- Reinspection fee
- $50
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- The county page indicates it regulates specific zoning and sanitary matters rather than all general construction.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- application says inspections may be made between normal business hours Monday through Friday.
Typical inspection sequence: preinspection may occur, then on-site inspection, then issue or denial.
incorrect information may cause delay or reinspection fee if applicable.
Additional Resources
- Building code: no countywide building code adoption statement was found on the zoning page. The county does administer sanitary code and state plumbing code enforcement in its zoning function.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Zoning application PDF
- 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 Taylor County Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taylor County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Taylor County, WI?
- county zoning permit required for regulated work in county jurisdiction; sanitary permits apply for POWTS-related work; shoreland-related work is subject to county review.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Taylor County, WI?
- The minimum permit fee is zoning permit application fee $100. Fees are calculated as: no formula published for the zoning permit itself; permit fee is flat on the posted county page.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Taylor County, WI?
- 1. Confirm whether the work is in shoreland, sanitary, zoning, or related county jurisdiction. 2. Complete the zoning permit or other relevant application. 3. Attach site plan and required drawings. 4. Stake or flag the project for inspection. 5. Submit the application fee. 6. County staff may perform preinspection and on-site inspection before issuance. 7. Permit is issued or denied by the zoning administrator.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Taylor County, WI?
- The following work is generally exempt: The county page indicates it regulates specific zoning and sanitary matters rather than all general construction..
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