Wisconsin Building Permit Fee Trends 2024-2026
Year-over-year building permit fee changes across Wisconsin municipalities from 2024 through 2026. Tracks which cities increased, decreased, or held steady on residential permit fees.
Full Rankings
| # | Municipality / Item | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin | +12.0% | $8.00 to $9.00/thousand (Jan 2026) |
| 2 | Brookfield | +9.1% | $11.00 to $12.00/thousand (Jan 2026) |
| 3 | Oak Creek | +7.7% | $7.80 to $8.40/thousand (Jul 2025) |
| 4 | Waukesha | +6.8% | $10.30 to $11.00/thousand (Jan 2026) |
| 5 | New Berlin | +5.3% | $9.50 to $10.00/thousand (Jan 2026) |
| 6 | Madison | +4.5% | $8.80 to $9.20/thousand (Jan 2026) |
| 7 | Greenfield | +3.6% | $8.30 to $8.60/thousand (Jul 2025) |
| 8 | Green Bay | +2.7% | $7.40 to $7.60/thousand (Jan 2026) |
| 9 | Milwaukee | 0.0% | Held at $8.00/thousand since 2024 |
| 10 | Kenosha | 0.0% | Held at $7.80/thousand since 2024 |
| 11 | West Allis | 0.0% | Held at $8.00/thousand since 2023 |
| 12 | Wauwatosa | 0.0% | Held at $9.40/thousand since 2024 |
| 13 | Appleton | 0.0% | Held at $7.20/thousand since 2025 |
| 14 | Eau Claire | 0.0% | Held at $7.00/thousand since 2024 |
| 15 | La Crosse | 0.0% | Held at $6.60/thousand since 2024 |
| 16 | Oshkosh | 0.0% | Held at $6.50/thousand since 2023 |
| 17 | Janesville | 0.0% | Held at $6.80/thousand since 2024 |
| 18 | Sheboygan | 0.0% | Held at $6.20/thousand since 2025 |
| 19 | Fond du Lac | 0.0% | Held at $6.30/thousand since 2024 |
| 20 | West Bend | 0.0% | Held at $6.10/thousand since 2024 |
| 21 | Neenah | 0.0% | Held at $6.00/thousand since 2023 |
| 22 | Menasha | 0.0% | Held at $5.80/thousand since 2024 |
| 23 | Manitowoc | 0.0% | Held at $5.60/thousand since 2024 |
| 24 | Stevens Point | 0.0% | Held at $5.40/thousand since 2023 |
| 25 | Marshfield | 0.0% | Held at $5.20/thousand since 2024 |
| 26 | Superior | 0.0% | Held at $5.00/thousand since 2023 |
| 27 | Racine | -2.6% | $7.60 to $7.40/thousand (Jan 2026) |
| 28 | Beloit | -5.0% | $6.00 to $5.70/thousand (Jan 2026) |
Insights
The Waukesha County corridor continues to lead fee increases. Franklin (+12%), Brookfield (+9.1%), Waukesha (+6.8%), and New Berlin (+5.3%) all raised fees in 2025 or 2026. This corridor already had the highest base rates, and the increases are widening the gap with the rest of the state.
Most Wisconsin municipalities (18 of 28) have held fees steady, with many unchanged since 2023 or 2024. This stability is unusual compared to national trends where 60%+ of municipalities raised permit fees in 2025.
Racine and Beloit are the only two cities that reduced permit fees. Racine reduced its rate by 2.6% as part of a broader economic development initiative. Beloit's 5% reduction is tied to its downtown redevelopment incentive program.
The average fee increase among cities that did raise rates was 6.2%, roughly double the 2025 CPI inflation rate of 2.9%. This suggests permit fee increases are outpacing general inflation in high-growth areas.
Milwaukee has held its $8.00/thousand rate steady since 2024 despite being the state's largest municipality. This stability helps maintain Milwaukee's position as a moderately priced market for permitting compared to its immediate suburbs.
Methodology
Fee trends tracked using published municipal fee ordinances and building department announcements from January 2024 through January 2026. Percentage changes calculated on the per-thousand-dollar base rate for residential building permits. Mid-year changes (noted where applicable) are attributed to the year the change took effect. Data does not track changes to plan review fees, technology surcharges, or trade permit fees, which may have changed independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are building permit fees increasing in Wisconsin?
Most Wisconsin municipalities (18 of 28 major cities) have held permit fees steady through 2026. Eight cities increased fees, with an average increase of 6.2%. The largest increases are concentrated in the Waukesha County corridor (Brookfield, Franklin, Waukesha, New Berlin). Two cities (Racine and Beloit) actually decreased fees.
Which Wisconsin city had the biggest permit fee increase in 2026?
Franklin had the largest permit fee increase, raising its per-thousand rate from $8.00 to $9.00 — a 12% increase effective January 2026. Brookfield had the second-largest increase at 9.1%, raising its rate from $11.00 to $12.00 per thousand.
Are any Wisconsin cities reducing permit fees?
Yes. Racine reduced its per-thousand rate by 2.6% (from $7.60 to $7.40) and Beloit reduced its rate by 5.0% (from $6.00 to $5.70) as of January 2026. Both reductions are part of broader economic development initiatives.
Need permit costs for every project?
Access real-time fee data across all Wisconsin municipalities. Know the exact cost before you bid, and get notified when fee schedules change.