County Building Permits
Washburn County, WI - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washburn County, Wisconsin. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
County zoning covers unincorporated areas within 1,000 feet of navigable water or within 300 feet of navigable rivers, streams, or creeks, plus towns that have adopted county zoning. County administers land use, shoreland, floodplain, sanitary, subdivision, and related permits.
- Department
- Washburn County Zoning Division
- Address
- P.O. Box 506, 10 Fourth Avenue, Shell Lake, WI 54871
- Phone
- (715) 468-4690
- zoning@co.washburn.wi.us
Application Process
Source: Washburn County Zoning Division
General Requirements
All structures, private onsite wastewater systems, grading and filling in shorelands, and development of lots under county ordinance.
Required Documents
- Land use permit application, site plan or plot plan, sanitary information where applicable, contractor licensing information, and building details. County and city forms also ask for insurance and license numbers when contractors are used.
- Building code
- Wisconsin SPS 321 Uniform Dwelling Code for one and two family dwellings, as referenced by county zoning.
- Contractor requirements
- County notes builders and contractors must be licensed when reviewed by the UDC inspector.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $150.00 for decks, stairs, pathways, walkways, patios, retaining walls, fire pits, or other structures
- Permit fee formula
- Fees are activity-based, not a single formula. Examples include dwelling or principal dwelling $300, accessory building $250, commercial/industrial $500, shoreland grading $300, and more.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Washburn County Zoning Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: County land use approval first, then UDC building permit inspection and issuance by the township-hired inspector.
Sanitary return inspection and same day inspection fees are published by the county. UDC inspectors verify contractors, county permits, and SPS 321 compliance.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Wisconsin SPS 321 Uniform Dwelling Code for one and two family dwellings, as referenced by county zoning.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Fee schedule
- UDC inspector list
- 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 Washburn County Zoning Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washburn County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washburn County, WI?
- All structures, private onsite wastewater systems, grading and filling in shorelands, and development of lots under county ordinance.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Washburn County, WI?
- The minimum permit fee is $150.00 for decks, stairs, pathways, walkways, patios, retaining walls, fire pits, or other structures. Fees are calculated as: Fees are activity-based, not a single formula. Examples include dwelling or principal dwelling $300, accessory building $250, commercial/industrial $500, shoreland grading $300, and more..
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