Building Inspection

The Building division inspects both residential and commercial buildings. Four inspectors are divided between the east and west sides for maximum efficiency.

Building Permits are issued for:

One and Two Family Homes
Apartment Complexes
Condominiums
Commercial Buildings
Alteration/Improvements

Requirements
Building permits are required for most projects except for purely cosmetic projects such as painting and flooring. An owner/occupant can obtain permits and do their own work. All rental properties require a licensed contractor pull the permit and perform the work. Following is a list of common projects requiring a permit.

Siding Windows/doors (commercial properties, apartments 3-units or more, homes in historic district)
Driveway paving
Sheds
Garages
Roofing (commercial properties, apartments 3-units or more, homes in historic district)
Electrical wiring
Water heater
New bathroom
Basement remodel
Decks/porches
Pools and spas

It is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to make sure a permit is obtained. If you hire a contractor, make sure you see a permit card displayed in your front window before work begins. Before signing a contract with a contractor, call our office at 448-3300 and verify the person is licensed with the City of Green Bay.

Information Required
Permits are obtained at Inspection office, 100 N. Jefferson Street, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To obtain a permit you may need the following.

Site Plan
A site plan is a bird’s eye view of your property drawn to scale showing property lines, buildings and driveways. Include as many measurements as possible especially distance from buildings to the property lines.
See the Site Plan link on this page for an information guide and site plan form.

Building Plan
For anything involving structural changes or new construction a framing plan is needed. Often you can
obtain this when you order your lumber, especially for garages and sheds.

Estimated Project Cost

Names of all Contractors
This includes plumbers and electricians along with state credential numbers, addresses, and phone numbers.

Historic Preservation Commission
Any property located in the historic district must go before this commission before building permits for exterior work will be issued. The commission meets the second Monday of every month at 4:30 p.m. in room 210. In order to get on the agenda for this meeting, materials (permit, photographs, ect.) must be submitted to the Inspection Department by 4:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month.

The City appreciates the commitment property owners give to keep our neighborhoods healthy & safe.
See the Historic Preservation Commission site for more information

Download the brochure on When to get a Building Permit

Site Plan Form
Use this form to draw your site for approval

Erosion Control Permits
Large Sites Submit application and erosion control plan demonstrating reasonable compliance with Section 13.60, Green Bay Municipal Ordinance for sites greater than one acre in size prior to commencing land-distrubing construction or land development activity.
Small Sites Submit this application and erosion control plan demonstrating reasonable compliance with Section 13.60, Green Bay Municipal Ordinance and/or Ch. Comm 20.09(4), Uniform Dwelling Code for sites covering less than one acre and/or one or two-family residential construction prior to commencing land-distrubing construction or land-development activity.

Razing of Condemned Structures
Specifications for razing

Building Contractors License
You will need this license if you wish to make repairs on property you own but in which you do not reside. You do not need this license to make repairs on your primary residence. You may fill out this application online, sign and mail, or just print and fill out later.