Milwaukee Permit Fee Changes Effective March 2026
February 3, 2026
The Milwaukee Common Council approved Ordinance 241389 on January 14, 2026, establishing new permit fee schedules effective March 1, 2026. This is the first comprehensive fee update since 2022 and affects commercial building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and sign permits. Residential building permits under $25,000 in project value are not affected.
Commercial Building Permit Fee Changes
Commercial building permit fees in Milwaukee are now calculated using a tiered valuation formula. For projects valued at $1–$50,000, the fee is $15 per $1,000 of project value (minimum $150). For $50,001–$500,000, the fee is $750 plus $12 per $1,000 above $50,000. For projects over $500,000, the fee is $6,150 plus $9 per $1,000 above $500,000. This represents a 12% average increase over the previous flat-rate schedule. Plan review fees remain at 65% of the permit fee.
Electrical Permit Fee Changes
Electrical permit fees have been restructured from a per-circuit basis to a tiered system. Residential electrical permits (1–2 family dwellings) are now $85 flat for projects under 200 amps, and $135 for 200 amps and above. Commercial electrical permits use a new formula: $100 base fee plus $3.50 per circuit (previously $4.25 per circuit, but the base fee was $60). Net effect: small commercial projects (under 20 circuits) see a slight increase; larger projects see a decrease.
Plumbing Permit Fee Changes
Plumbing permit fees increased 8% across the board. The base residential plumbing permit is now $95 (previously $88). Each additional fixture beyond the first 5 is $12 (previously $10). Commercial plumbing permits now start at $150 (previously $135). The water heater replacement permit — one of the most common residential permits — increased from $65 to $75.
Sign Permit Fee Changes
Temporary sign permits increased from $35 to $50. Permanent sign permits are now calculated at $3.50 per square foot of sign face area (minimum $100), up from $2.75 per square foot (minimum $75). Electrical sign permits (for illuminated signs) now require a separate electrical permit in addition to the sign permit — previously, the electrical work was included in the sign permit fee.
What Didn't Change
Residential building permits for projects under $25,000 in value remain at the 2022 fee schedule. Demolition permits, fence permits, and HVAC permits were not affected by this ordinance. The City indicated that these permit types will be reviewed in a separate fee study expected in Q3 2026.
Impact on Active Projects
Projects with permit applications submitted before March 1, 2026 will be processed under the previous fee schedule, even if the permit is not issued until after March 1. Projects that require permit amendments or resubmissions after March 1 will be subject to the new fees for the amendment review only — the original permit fee is not retroactively adjusted.
Data note: The permit data referenced in this article was verified against official municipal sources as of February 2026. Fee schedules and requirements can change at any time. Always confirm current requirements directly with your local permit office before submitting applications. Use our Fee Calculator to get the latest fee estimates for your specific jurisdiction and project type.
Frequently asked questions
When do Milwaukee's new permit fees take effect?
Milwaukee's updated permit fees take effect March 1, 2026, per Ordinance 241389 approved by the Common Council on January 14, 2026. Applications submitted before March 1 are processed under the previous fee schedule.
How much did Milwaukee building permit fees increase?
Commercial building permit fees increased approximately 12% on average. The new tiered formula charges $15 per $1,000 of project value for projects under $50,000, $12 per $1,000 for $50,001–$500,000, and $9 per $1,000 for projects over $500,000. Residential building permits under $25,000 were not affected.
Are residential permits affected by Milwaukee's 2026 fee changes?
Residential building permits for projects under $25,000 in value are not affected. However, residential electrical permits increased to $85 (from $75) for under 200 amps, residential plumbing permits increased to $95 (from $88), and water heater replacement permits increased from $65 to $75.
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