Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Remodels, additions and new garages on single-family homes inside Green Bay city

  • Permit fee is doubled when work starts before a permit is obtained (s.8-47(g)(2))
  • Permits are valid for one year
  • Erosion control permit and site plan may be required for exterior work

  “if application for a building permit has not been obtained prior to commencement of the job, applicable permit fee shall be doubled.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Homeowners doing their own work on their owner-occupied house inside Green Bay city

  • Homeowner still files homeowner's permit applications and a cautionary statement to property owners
  • For electrical work the owner must first speak with a city electrical inspector
  • Not an exemption from permits

  “homeowner's permit applications - if you own and live in the house and plan on doing the work yourself, fill out the appropriate homeowner's applications.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted residential projects inside Green Bay city

  • Schedule online or call (920) 448-3300 at least one business day in advance

  “to schedule an inspection, submit an online inspection request at https://greenbaywi.gov/scheduleinspection or call (920) 448-3300 at least one business day in advance. final inspections are required for all projects.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rentals (under 28 consecutive days) inside Green Bay city

  • Homeshare (owner present in primary residence) is outside the STRP requirement
  • Initial permit application/review fee $500; renewal annually
  • Brown County health inspection required yearly
  • Permit valid July 1 to June 30; renewal window April 1 to June 30
  • Applies regardless of zoning district and legal conforming or nonconforming status
  • Review may take up to 14 business days

  rental period triggering permit: < 28 consecutive days (less than) (homeshare) · initial STRP fee: 500 USD

  “strp is needed if you are renting your residence for less than 28 consecutive days and it is not a *homeshare”

• Permit processPublished

  Residential remodel, addition and garage permits inside Green Bay city

  • Submit by email to inspmail@greenbaywi.gov, by mail or in person at 100 N. Jefferson St, Rm 608
  • Fee notice and payment follow inspector approval
  • Permits are valid for one year

  “review time can take five to ten business days, depending on time of year and permit volume.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Green Bay or Brown County directly.

• Building code adopted — Building code inside Green Bay city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Green Bay city
• Local zoning — Zoning inside Green Bay city
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Green Bay city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Green Bay city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.