What's Required in Milwaukee
- Same-spot replacement of toilets, sinks, tubs, showers and faucets needs no permit if supply, drain and vent piping are unchanged.
- Moving or adding fixtures needs a plumbing permit at $20 per fixture with an $85 minimum.
- Only the owner-occupant of a single-family home or a licensed plumber may obtain a plumbing permit.
- New fans, outlets, lights and whirlpool tubs need an electrical permit by a state-licensed electrical contractor.
- Wall, window or layout changes need a building permit with scaled plans.
- At least half the floor area of a remodeled room needs a ceiling 7 feet or higher.
- Hired contractors need a City Home Improvement Contractor License and state Dwelling Contractor credentials.
- Exterior changes to a historic home need a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Do you need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Milwaukee?
Not for a same-layout refresh. At one- and two-family homes, MCO 200-24-1.5 and the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) homeowner page exempt replacing plumbing fixtures (faucets, toilets, sinks, showers, tubs) when you do not alter the water supply, drain or vent piping, plus tiling, painting, flooring, vanity and countertop installation, and swapping switches or light fixtures. A new toilet, vanity and tub in the same spots is permit-free.
A permit is needed once you move or add a fixture (plumbing permit), add circuits, outlets, a fan or a whirlpool tub (electrical permit), or move walls, enlarge the room or change a window (building permit with plans). DNS's checklist marks a bathroom remodel as Probably needing a permit, and its remodeling handout says most remodels need plans reviewed first.
How much are bathroom permits in Milwaukee?
Plumbing is $20 per fixture with an $85 minimum plus $20 processing. Electrical is itemized (fan $30, receptacle $3, light fixture $10, whirlpool tub $85) with a $100 minimum plus $25 processing. A building permit is 1.6% of the construction cost ($150 minimum) plus plan review at $0.25 per square foot ($125 minimum) and $20 processing. DNS adds 1.6% to its permit and review fees, and the city assessor's remodeling service charge under MCO 81-6 is $250 per dwelling unit.
- Moving the toilet, adding a shower and relocating the sink, with a new fan, 2 outlets and 2 lights: plumbing $85 + $1.36 + $20 = $106.36; electrical $100 + $1.60 + $25 = $126.60. Total $232.96.
- Gut remodel of an 80 sq ft bath with a wall moved, $20,000 of construction: building $320 + $125 + $7.12 + $20 + $250 assessor = $722.12, plus the same trade permits. Total $955.08.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| New toilet, vanity or tub in the same spot | No permit | MCO 200-24-1.5-f-2 |
| Replacing a faucet or toilet ballcock | No permit | MCO 200-33-43 |
| Tile, paint, flooring, vanity top | No permit | MCO 200-24-1.5-f-7, f-8 |
| Moving a toilet or adding a shower | Plumbing permit, $20/fixture, $85 min | Owner of an owner-occupied single-family home or licensed plumber |
| New fan, outlets, lights or whirlpool tub | Electrical permit, $100 minimum | Licensed electrical contractor only |
| Moving a wall or enlarging the bathroom | Building permit, 1.6% of cost + review | Plans reviewed by a plan examiner |
| Converting a half bath to a full bath | Plumbing permit plus likely building permit | Confirm scope with the Development Center |
Who can do bathroom plumbing and wiring in Milwaukee?
Plumbing: the owner may do plumbing in a one-family home they own and live in, with a permit (MCO 225-3-2). In a duplex or a home that is not owner-occupied, the permit and the work must be by a licensed plumber. Fewer than 11 fixtures means no separate plumbing plan review fee. Electrical: Milwaukee allows homeowners only to swap an existing switch, receptacle or light fixture rated 20 amps or less; a new fan circuit or GFCI circuit must be done under a permit by a state-licensed electrical contractor. Building permit work may be done by an owner-occupant or a contractor holding the City Home Improvement Contractor License and state Dwelling Contractor credentials.
The plan examiner looks at ceiling height (at least half the floor space of a remodeled room must have a 7-foot ceiling), light and ventilation, and exits. Under 400 square feet of remodeled area you can walk in for review.
How to Get a Bathroom Remodel Permit in Milwaukee
Decide what moves
Same-spot fixture swaps and finish work need no permit; moving fixtures, adding circuits or moving walls do.
Choose who files
Plumb it yourself only in an owner-occupied single-family home; otherwise hire a licensed plumber. All new wiring goes to a licensed electrical contractor.
Prepare plans if walls change
Draw the room to scale with doors, windows, ceiling heights and fixture locations, and list the fixture count for the plumbing permit.
Apply and pay
Apply through the Land Management System or at 809 N. Broadway; pay plan review first and permit fees once approved.
Pass rough and final inspections
Have plumbing and electrical rough-ins inspected before walls close; start within 180 days and finish within two years.