Wisconsin Permit Fee Rankings by Municipality
Residential building permit fees ranked from cheapest to most expensive across 28 major Wisconsin municipalities. Based on a $300,000 new-construction project using each city's published per-thousand fee formula.
Full Rankings
| # | Municipality / Item | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Superior | $1,500 | $5.00/thousand |
| 2 | Marshfield | $1,560 | $5.20/thousand |
| 3 | Stevens Point | $1,620 | $5.40/thousand |
| 4 | Manitowoc | $1,680 | $5.60/thousand |
| 5 | Beloit | $1,710 | $5.70/thousand |
| 6 | Menasha | $1,740 | $5.80/thousand |
| 7 | Neenah | $1,800 | $6.00/thousand |
| 8 | West Bend | $1,830 | $6.10/thousand |
| 9 | Sheboygan | $1,860 | $6.20/thousand |
| 10 | Fond du Lac | $1,890 | $6.30/thousand |
| 11 | Oshkosh | $1,950 | $6.50/thousand |
| 12 | La Crosse | $1,980 | $6.60/thousand |
| 13 | Janesville | $2,040 | $6.80/thousand |
| 14 | Eau Claire | $2,100 | $7.00/thousand |
| 15 | Appleton | $2,160 | $7.20/thousand |
| 16 | Racine | $2,220 | $7.40/thousand |
| 17 | Green Bay | $2,280 | $7.60/thousand |
| 18 | Kenosha | $2,340 | $7.80/thousand |
| 19 | West Allis | $2,400 | $8.00/thousand |
| 20 | Milwaukee | $2,400 | $8.00/thousand |
| 21 | Oak Creek | $2,520 | $8.40/thousand |
| 22 | Greenfield | $2,580 | $8.60/thousand |
| 23 | Franklin | $2,700 | $9.00/thousand |
| 24 | Madison | $2,760 | $9.20/thousand |
| 25 | Wauwatosa | $2,820 | $9.40/thousand |
| 26 | New Berlin | $3,000 | $10.00/thousand |
| 27 | Waukesha | $3,300 | $11.00/thousand |
| 28 | Brookfield | $3,600 | $12.00/thousand |
Insights
The Waukesha County corridor (Brookfield, Waukesha, New Berlin) has the highest permit fees in the state, averaging $3,300 on a $300K project. Contractors bidding in this area should add 1.5-2% to project estimates for permitting costs alone.
Northern Wisconsin cities (Superior, Marshfield, Stevens Point) consistently rank cheapest, with per-thousand rates 40-60% lower than the Milwaukee metro suburbs.
Milwaukee and West Allis charge identical $8.00/thousand rates despite significantly different housing markets, making West Allis a comparable-cost alternative for projects near the Milwaukee border.
Madison's fees are 15% above the statewide median but 23% below the most expensive suburbs, positioning it as moderately expensive relative to its housing market.
Plan review fees are not included in these figures. Most municipalities charge an additional 50-65% of the permit fee for plan review, which can add $750-$2,340 to the total permitting cost.
Methodology
Fees calculated using each municipality's published residential building permit fee schedule applied to a $300,000 new-construction project valuation. Data sourced from official municipal fee ordinances and building department published schedules. Where municipalities use tiered or step-function formulas, the applicable tier for $300,000 was used. Plan review fees, technology surcharges, and trade permit fees are excluded. Last verified from official sources in Q4 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average building permit fee in Wisconsin?
The median residential building permit fee across major Wisconsin municipalities is $2,280 for a $300,000 new-construction project. Fees range from $1,500 in Superior to $3,600 in Brookfield, depending on each city's per-thousand-dollar fee formula.
Which Wisconsin city has the cheapest building permit fees?
Superior has the lowest building permit fees among major Wisconsin municipalities at $5.00 per thousand dollars of project valuation, which equals $1,500 for a $300,000 project. Marshfield ($5.20/thousand) and Stevens Point ($5.40/thousand) are the next cheapest.
Which Wisconsin city has the most expensive building permit fees?
Brookfield has the highest building permit fees at $12.00 per thousand dollars of project valuation, equaling $3,600 for a $300,000 project. Waukesha ($11.00/thousand) and New Berlin ($10.00/thousand) are the next most expensive. All three are in Waukesha County.
How are building permit fees calculated in Wisconsin?
Most Wisconsin municipalities calculate building permit fees using a per-thousand-dollar formula based on estimated construction cost or project valuation. Rates range from $5.00 to $12.00 per $1,000 of value. Some cities use flat fees for small projects or tiered schedules for different value ranges. Plan review fees are typically charged separately at 50-65% of the permit fee.
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