What Happens If I Do Work Without a Permit in Wisconsin?

Performing construction work without required permits in Wisconsin carries several risks. Municipalities can issue stop-work orders halting your project, require you to obtain a permit retroactively (often at double the normal fee), or order the unpermitted work to be removed or brought into compliance at your expense. Fines for working without a permit vary by municipality but can range from $100 to $5,000 per violation. The most significant consequences often emerge later. When selling your home, buyers' inspectors and title companies may flag unpermitted work, which can delay or kill a sale. Appraisers may not include the value of unpermitted improvements. Homeowners insurance policies may deny claims related to unpermitted work — for example, if an unpermitted electrical installation causes a fire, your insurer could deny the claim entirely. If you discover that work was done without a permit (common when purchasing an older home), you can typically apply for a retroactive permit. The municipality will require the work to be inspected and brought up to current code, which may require opening up walls or making corrections. Some municipalities are more lenient about older unpermitted work than recent work. If you are unsure whether previous work was permitted, contact your local building department — they maintain records of all permits issued for each property.

Check Your Municipality

Permit requirements, fees, and exemptions vary by municipality. Verify the specifics for your location.