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Permits Issued by Inspection Services

The City of Franklin adopts State and local building, plumbing, and electrical codes to protect its citizens. Permits are required to track the work being done, and the permit fees pay for the inspections and record keeping functions of the department.

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One and Two Family Residential Dwellings

A building permit is required to construct any new One and Two Family Residential dwelling, add to an existing dwelling, remodel any living space, and/or perform repairs or modifications that involve structural components.

PLEASE NOTE: Permits are processed in the order in which they are received. Please allow a minimum of 10 business days for processing.

Permits for One and Two Family Residential new construction must be applied for within 10 days of Architectural Review Board approval.

Any contractor applying for a permit for One and Two Family Residential new construction, additions, or alterations must have valid State of Wisconsin certifications.

One and Two Family New Dwelling Construction

***NOTE***** Effective immediately - permit application for One and Two Family Residential New Dwelling construction must be submitted to DSPS prior to submittal to the City of Franklin

Electronic Building Permit► - (link will take you to the DSPS website)

One and Two Family Residential New Dwelling Construction - Handout

Architectural Review Board Application

2025 Architectural Review Board Meeting Dates

2025 New Construction Fee Schedule

Sewer/Water Connection Fees

Impact Fees

Footing Grade Certification Form

Final Grade Surety Deposit & Final Grade Certification Form

Information on Plat of Survey Requirements

One and Two Family Residential Additions/Alterations

One and Two Family Residential Additions/Alterations Handout - (for projects requiring Architectural Review Board approval only)

One and Two Family Residential Alterations - Handout

Architectural Review Board Application

2025 Architectural Review Board Meeting Dates

City of Franklin Building Permit Application (for additions/alterations only)

Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Multi-Family New Construction/Additions/Alterations

A building permit is required to construct any new building, add to an existing building, alter the interior/exterior of an existing building, and/or perform repairs or modifications that involve structural components.

Please contact Inspection Services PRIOR to applying for a building permit. All projects must have all the required City approvals in place (contact the Department of City Development for approvals that will be necessary) before application is accepted. Building permit submittals must be submitted with all the information required/listed on the handout below, including the plan review fee. INCOMPLETE SUBMITTALS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.

Handout - Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Multi-Family

Commercial Inspection Checklist

City of Franklin Building Permit Application

List of Inspections for Commercial/Industrial/Institutional

Disproportionate Costs in Alterations Form

Water Impact Fee Form

Sewer/Water Connection Fees

Impact Fees

SBD-118 Form

MMSD Notice of Intent Form and Instructions

COMM 63 Building Envelope & Lighting Worksheets

FRSBD-118 City of Franklin Agent Plan Review

Schedule of Building Permit Fees

Footing Grade Certification Form

Final Grade Surety Deposit & Final Grade Certification Form

Information on Plat of Survey Requirements

Garages and Accessory Buildings

Building permits are required for garages, accessory buildings, and agricultural buildings.

Garages and Accessory Buildings Handout

Accessory Buildings/Prefabricated Storage Enclosures - 120 sq. ft. or less

City of Franklin Building Permit Application

We Energies Clearance Guidelines► (These are WE Energies guidelines and are not enforced by the City of Franklin.)

Diggers Hotline►

Decks

Permits are required for attached and detached decks. Any contractor applying for an attached deck permit for One and Two Family Residential Dwellings must have valid State of Wisconsin certifications.

City of Franklin Building Permit Application

Deck Handout

SPS 321.225/SPS 320-325 Appendix B

SPS 321.225/SPS 320-325 Appendix C

DCA6 Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide

We Energies Clearance Guidelines► (These are WE Energies guidelines and are not enforced by the City of Franklin.)

Diggers Hotline►

Fences

Building permits are required for all fences except snow fencing (snow fencing is only allowed between November 15 and April 15 of each year.)

Fence Handout

Owners Acknowledgement of WEnergies Utility Easements (Must be submitted with ALL Fence applications.)

City of Franklin Building Permit Application

The links below are provided solely for your convenience. When clicking on these links, you will leave the City of Franklin's website and be redirected to another site. These sites are not under the control of the City of Franklin and the City of Franklin is not responsible for the content or availability of these or any of its linked sites.

We Energies Clearance Guidelines► (These are WE Energies guidelines and are not enforced by the City of Franklin.)

Diggers Hotline►

Pools, Above Ground, Inground, Air Inflated, Hot Tubs, Spas

Plumbing Permits

Plumbing permits are required for all plumbing work, equipment replacement, and the addition or replacment of dishwashers, water softeners, and water heaters. Permits must be obtained by a licensed plumbing contractor. Permits are also required for burying of downspouts, sump pump discharge, and lawn irrigation systems (owners can obtain these).

Completed plumbing applications should be submitted to the City of Franklin - Inspection Services, 9229 W. Loomis Road, Franklin, WI 53132.

Plumbing Permit Application

Converting from Well to City Water

Standards for Residential & Commercial Lawn Sprinkler Systems Handout

Standards for Sump Pump & Downspout Burial

POWTS Mound System-New/Replacement Handout (individual forms/applications can be found on the forms/application page)

POWTS Holding Tank - New/Replacement Handout (individual forms/applications can be found on the forms/application page)

Burying Downspout/Sump Pump Discharging to Grade - Application

Wisconsin Fund Grant Program - Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Replacement or Rehabilitation Financial Assistance Program

Schedule of Plumbing Permit Fees

DNR Link to Information on Wells►

Drive Approach and Culverts

Permits are required for the installation of drive approaches, curb cuts, and culverts. Drive approach/curb cut permits can be obtained in the Inspection Services Department.

Please contact the Engineering Department at 414-425-7510 for culvert installation information. Culvert orders are placed with the Engineering Department and installed by the Department of Public Works.

Drive Approach/Curb Cut Permit Application

Electrical Permits & License

Electrical permits are required for all electrical work and replacements. Permits must be obtained by a Master Electrician licensed in the State of Wisconsin.

Completed electrical permit applications should be submitted to the City of Franklin - Inspection Services, 9229 W. Loomis Road, Franklin, WI 53132.

Electrical Permit Application

Schedule of Electrical Permit Fees

HVAC

Reroofing

Building permits are required for the installation of replacement roofs.

State Code allows a maximum of two layers of shingles.

Contractors applying for a reroofing permit for One and Two Family Residential dwellings must have valid State of WI certifications.

Residential (1 & 2 Family): Minimum $65 plus $7 Technology Fee

Multi-Family, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional: $13/1,000 Value plus $7 Technology (Maximum Fee $295 plus $7 Technology Fee)

City of Franklin Building Permit Application

Residing

Demolition or Moving

Demolition: Permits are required for the demolition of all buildings and structures. Plumbing permits and inspections are required for disconnection/abandonment of sewer, water, or septic systems. Utilities (electric/gas) must be disconnected and verified in writing by the agency.

Building Move: The City of Franklin Building Code requires Plan Commission approval of any building move within or from outside Franklin prior to the move.

Questions can be directed to the Department of City Development at 414-425-4024.

Contact the Inspection Services Department at 414-425-0084 for information regarding required permits.

Demolition Handout

Building Move Handout

City of Franklin Building Permit Application

Occupancy

Occupancy permits are required for all changes of use, changes in ownership, and changes in tenant for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.

Approval by the Department of City Development is required prior to application for Occupancy.

Occupancy permits are not required for change of ownership of residential dwellings.

City of Franklin Building Permit Application

Foundation Repair

Building permits are required for foundation repairs and damp proofing. Any contractor applying for a foundation repair permit for One and Two Family Residential Dwellings must have valid State of Wisconsin certifications.

Application for permit shall include a statement of the existing defects and an analysis of the cause. Plans and/or specifications must be submitted with permit application and shall follow "The Best Managment Standards for Foundation Repair" (July 2017 revision) or have site specific engineering when conditions do not conform to those standards.

City of Franklin Building Permit Application

Foundation Repair Memo

WAFRP Best Management Standards for Foundation Repair

Miscellaneous Permits and Links

Listed below are permits not addressed on other pages. Call the Inspection Services Department at 414-425-0084 for further information.

Satellite Dishes over 24"
Construction/Sales Trailers
Model Home Permits
Arbors, Gazebos, Pergolas