Grafton, Wisconsin Building Permit Guide

In the Village of Grafton, the Community Development Department’s Inspection Office at Village Hall, 860 Badger Circle, issues permits and inspects construction (262-375-5305); Jim Micech is the Building Inspector. Applications for building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire protection permits are filed on the village’s SmartGov portal, and inspections are booked by phone. The fee schedule in force since January 1, 2025 charges $0.42 per gross square foot for a new house, and most new buildings and exterior changes also need Architectural Review Board approval. The Town of Grafton is a separate municipality with its own permits.

What requires a building permit in Grafton?

The village publishes two short lists for common home projects, one of jobs that need a permit and one of jobs that do not, and says neither list is complete; call the Inspection Office if your project is missing.

Fences skip the permit only if they meet the rules: up to 6 feet on the property line in side and rear yards, only decorative fencing up to 4 feet in a front yard, no chain-link in residential front yards, and no barbed, razor or electric wire in residential districts. Sheds may be up to 150 square feet and 18 feet tall, 3 feet from side lines and 5 feet from the rear line; anything larger is a garage that needs Architectural Review Board approval, with a 720-square-foot cap per detached building and 1,200 square feet in total. A shed within 10 feet of another structure needs a fire wall of 5/8-inch Type X drywall and must be anchored against wind uplift. Pools need a building permit, may not sit in the front or side yard setback, must be 10 feet from side and rear lines and 4 feet from any wall, fence or structure, and must be enclosed by a fence at least 48 inches high. Snow fencing is allowed only from November 15 to April 15.

What Grafton decides and what the state holds

DSPS lists the village as delegated to enforce the Uniform Dwelling Code on new one- and two-family homes (list current as of 9/24/2026); the “opt-out” on that row refers only to camping units. The village also holds DSPS’s small-commercial plan review delegation and is a delegated agent for commercial electrical inspection, but it is not on the commercial plumbing plan review list. The village writes its zoning ordinance, architectural review standards, fence and accessory building rules, fees and right-of-way bond; building codes and trade licenses are the state’s.

Grafton building department: who handles permitting

The Inspection Office enforces the building codes, coordinates plan review with DSPS, and coordinates fire protection plan review with Fire Safety Consultants (FSCI). The office lists the Building Inspector and two assistant building inspectors. Fire permits are filed with the village as well, and fire alterations and additions with 20 or more devices also need FSCI’s electronic plan approval and inspections; questions go to the Ozaukee Central Fire inspector at 262-375-5314.

Grafton permit types

Every permit is submitted through SmartGov, where contractors and homeowners create accounts. A contractor whose information or license is missing or expired in SmartGov files the village’s contractor information form to be added or updated.

Residential permits

• New homes: the house permit is priced on gross square footage measured on the outside, including the garage and every finished floor but not unfinished basement space. The village also takes the state’s application for registration in lieu of plan submittal.
• Additions, alterations, decks and pools: priced on job value, with a separate plan examination fee for each.
• Basement finishing: needs its own HVAC permit; the schedule says HVAC work in finished lower levels is not covered by the building permit.
• Accessory buildings: sheds up to 150 square feet have a flat fee; garages need Architectural Review Board approval first.
• Homeowner electrical: owners doing their own wiring file the village’s electrical release and indemnification form.

Building or remodeling a home here? Alliance handles residential permit expediting, so the crew isn't waiting on the counter.

Commercial permits

Under its small-commercial delegation the village reviews smaller projects itself. State plan review is required for new commercial buildings over 50,000 cubic feet, additions that bring a building over 50,000 cubic feet, and alterations where the altered space exceeds 100,000 cubic feet; the state-stamped plans are then submitted for the local permit. The village posts the state’s application for review of buildings, HVAC, fire and components, a commercial compliance statement, the state commercial plan checklist, and its own commercial or industrial permit to start construction. Multi-family buildings have their own submission requirements for the full permit and an early start. At the inspector’s discretion, commercial plan review and permit issuance can be done in five business days for double the regular fee, unless another agency must also approve.

For tenant improvements and new commercial builds, Alliance handles commercial permit applications through issuance. More on this: commercial building permits explained.

What comes before the building permit

• Architectural Review Board. No structure may be built, moved, rebuilt, enlarged or have its exterior changed without the board’s approval; small accessory structures are exempt unless the Community Development Director asks for a ruling. Projects under site plan review also go to the Plan Commission. Appeals go to the Zoning Board of Appeals within 30 days.
• House design rule. No two homes with a similar front elevation may sit on abutting lots or within five lots on either side of the street, including lots across the street.
• Zoning. Accessory building limits come from section 19.03.17 of the zoning ordinance; developer approval may also be needed in some subdivisions.
• Right-of-way bond. Where the Director of Public Works finds damage to sidewalk, curb or gutter likely, a $2,000 bond (bank bond, letter of credit or check) is posted with the Inspection Office when the permit is issued.

Grafton building permit fees

The village’s schedule of permit fees, marked updated January 2025, took effect on January 1, 2025. The minimum fee is $60 unless a line says otherwise, and plan review and property records fees may be added to the permit fee.

Worked example from the schedule: a new house of 2,400 gross square feet, garage included, costs $1,008 at $0.42 per square foot. With the $275 plan examination, $65 state seal, $175 erosion control fee and $60 occupancy permit, the village charges come to $1,583 before electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits.

• Development fees (2026, updated April 21, 2026): per new dwelling, a $1,193 police station impact fee, a $4,503 park impact fee ($2,251.50 for age-restricted 55-and-over units) and a $1,249.86 equivalent residential connection fee, plus per-acre interceptor and lift station charges where a site is in those service areas.
• Other items: HVAC distribution systems $2.20 per 100 square feet ($60 minimum); commercial exhaust hoods $200; razing $95 plus $0.12 per square foot; moving a structure $500 plus $0.12 per square foot; residential solar $15 per $1,000 of value up to $250; special or after-hours inspections $205.
• Penalties: double fees for work started without a permit, triple for later offenses.

Trade permits and who may pull them

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire protection permits are all filed in SmartGov, and the village inspects them. From September 1, 2026 the village says every electrical permit must comply with the 2023 National Electrical Code. For commercial buildings the village is DSPS’s delegated agent for electrical inspection; commercial plumbing plans that need state review go to DSPS, because the village is not a delegated plumbing plan reviewer.

• Electricians and plumbers: licensed by the state; contractors keep their license information current in SmartGov through the contractor information form.
• Homeowners: an owner doing electrical work files the electrical release and indemnification form, and an owner taking out a building permit receives the village’s cautionary statement.
• Builders: for a one- or two-family home the permit holder must be a certified Dwelling Contractor with a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier, unless the owner lives in the home.
• HVAC: businesses register with the state; basement finishing and other alterations need their own HVAC permit.
• Fire systems: alterations and additions with 20 or more devices need FSCI review on top of the village fire permit.

How to apply for a Grafton building permit

Review, corrections and what causes delay

Online payment opens only once the permit is approved, so missing plans hold up the whole application. Common delays are an Architectural Review Board approval not yet granted, a garage design over the 720-square-foot limit, a house front too similar to a neighbor’s, a contractor not yet set up in SmartGov, and a fire job of 20 or more devices sent without FSCI approval. Commercial applicants who need speed can ask for the five-day priority review at double the fee.

Inspections in Grafton

Inspections are scheduled by calling the Inspection Office at 262-375-5305; the village does not offer online scheduling. A re-inspection costs $75, and special inspections, after-hours inspections, file reviews and reports are $205 each.

• Permit life: every permit is good for one year from issue and must be renewed if the work runs longer.
• New homes: inspected in stages under the state dwelling code, ending with an occupancy permit ($60 per unit).
• Commercial: $250 per building for occupancy, $100 for a change of tenant, and $85 for a temporary occupancy of six months or less.
• Fire systems: alterations and additions with 20 or more devices are also inspected by FSCI.

Wisconsin building code in Grafton

Grafton enforces the state dwelling code under its DSPS delegation and reviews small commercial projects locally. FEMA’s Community Status Book lists Grafton (community 550314) as participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, with flood maps effective July 31, 2024.

Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code covers one- and two-family homes. Its Commercial Building Code covers public buildings, workplaces and buildings of three or more units. Local ordinances must conform to both. Wisconsin rules

Grafton permit search and official resources

Permit applications and their status live in the SmartGov portal; for older permit records on a property, ask the Inspection Office at 262-375-5305.

• Village of Grafton building inspections and permits
• Permitting resources and forms
• SmartGov building permit portal
• Schedule of permit fees (updated 01/2025)
• 2026 development fees
• Architectural review for residential development
• Shed, garage and swimming pool regulations
• Fence regulations
• Right-of-way bonds
• Multi-family building permit submission requirements
• DSPS UDC delegated agents list
• DSPS commercial building plan review delegated agents
• FEMA Community Status Book, Wisconsin

Grafton building permit FAQs

Do I need a permit for a fence in Grafton?

No, as long as it meets the village rules: up to 6 feet in side and rear yards, decorative fencing up to 4 feet in front, and no chain-link in residential front yards.

Does a new roof need a permit?

Yes. Roof and siding replacement need a permit at $13.50 per $1,000 of value, capped at $300.

How much is a permit for a new house?

$0.42 per gross square foot including the garage and finished floors, plus $275 plan examination, $65 state seal, $175 erosion control and $60 occupancy.

What impact fees apply to a new home?

Under the 2026 development fees, $1,193 for police, $4,503 for parks and a $1,249.86 connection fee per dwelling, plus any per-acre charges for the site.

Can I schedule inspections online?

No. Inspections are booked by phone at 262-375-5305.

Who reviews commercial plans?

The village reviews small projects; new buildings or additions over 50,000 cubic feet and alterations over 100,000 cubic feet need state plan review first.

Is the Village of Grafton the same as the Town of Grafton?

No. The Town of Grafton is a separate municipality with its own DSPS delegation and permits.

Simplify Grafton permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Wisconsin. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Grafton permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.