Building Permits & Inspections

What do I need for a residential building permit in the City of Portage?

Please read and understand this entire document.  It will answer most of your questions.

This is the process for obtaining a residential building permit in Portage.  This includes building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC (furnaces, air conditioners, etc.) projects such as homes, apartments, duplexes, garages, decks/porches, sheds, fences, and pools.

This does not include driveways, sewer and/or water, or work in the City owned Right-of-Way.  Those require a separate permit through the City Department of Public Works.

Because we’re trying to go paperless, we ask that you submit your building application packet electronically, but not via email.  These are general guidelines that should make this as painless as possible.

You’ll need to collect the following documents or information before you start the application process.  If you can get this information digitally/electronically from your contractors, it will be easier for you.  Or you may scan any documents yourself.

1. All contractor information as necessary. You’ll need the name, license number, address, phone number, and email for the general contractor (to include their dwelling qualifier license), HVAC contractor, plumber, and electrician (to include their master electrician’s name and license),
2.  Full set of scaled plans for the house/basement/foundation. If it’s an addition or remodel, plans should show both the existing and proposed structure.  See attached Plans Checklist for requirements,
3. Erosion control site plan (either hand drawn or professionally produced drawing or a Google Maps picture of the property with the measurements drawn in). This is not needed for decks on individual piers/footings,
4. 2009 IECC insulation/heat loss calculations (often provided by the designer or HVAC contractor using the RES-check program),
5. 2009 WI UDC insulation/heat loss calculations (often provided by the designer or HVAC contractor using the RES-check program),
6. Deck specific plans for any deck/landing greater than four feet by four feet (please refer to the SPS 320-325 Appendix B for specific building guidelines).
7. Go online to Columbia County Ascent Land Records Suite to find your parcel number or click here: Parcel Search
8. For photovoltaic (solar) installations, a separate installer (contractor) is required in addition to an electrical contractor. Installation plans must be engineer approved/stamped as to ensure the existing structure can accept the proposed weight.  They must also include the one-line drawing.
9. If an additional driveway, sewer/water connection, or right-of-way application is required by the City, you may upload them with your building permit application.

Once you have these, go to https://gec.soliant.cloud/fmi/webd/GEC_BuildingPermitApplication to submit this information digitally.  For additions, alterations, electrical services, furnaces and air conditioners, windows and doors, fences, pools, razes, solar, and decks please select “All Other Residential.”

When your permit application is reviewed and approved, it’s ready to be issued.  We’ll contact you with the fee.  You can pay for your building permit two ways.  To pay for your building permit online, please go to  https://www.portagewi.gov/make-a-payment/.  Please include your project address for referencing purposes; or you can pay with a check payable to City of Portage.  This can be dropped off at City Hall when you pick up your permit or sent in the mail.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to us at inspectportage@generalengineering.net or call City Hall at 608-742-2176 x106.  If we have any questions or other requirements, we will be in touch.

Don't forget to contact Diggers Hotline if you plan to do any digging with your project at:  www.diggershotline.com/ 

The Building Permits and Inspections Department will strive to assist you with your construction project in an efficient and accountable manner. They are responsible for permitting all construction and conducting inspections of all construction-related permits as well as issuance of Certificates of Occupancy and Fire Prevention.

The Building Permits and Inspections Department is responsible for:

• Conducting building construction inspections
• Issuing building permits
• Issuing certificate of occupancy permits
• Reviewing building plans
• Working directly with the Planning and Zoning Director

Are you making modifications, updating, building new, adding additions, adding an accessory shed or garage?  Are you replacing siding, windows or roofing? If so, you need a permit.   Stop at City Hall to fill out an application or download the application below.  Call Robin Fischer at 608-742-2176 ext 106 with question or to see if a permit is needed.

 If you have specific questions about building permits or a large project you can call the building inspector, Matthew Paske, at  608-617-9834. 

To make a payment online by credit or debit card, click here.

To Pay By Phone:  Call 1-800-487-4567. Tell them Jurisdiction code 5843 or Portage WI.