| Building PermitsJump to section: Building Permit Forms
Building permits are issued by the Town Building Inspector. A building permit can only be issued after the required zoning permit (if any) has been obtained. Zoning permits are issued by Columbia County. If your construction project requires a zoning permit, then that step must be completed first. See our Planning & Zoning page for more details on the zoning process. If you have any doubt about what permits are required, please contact either the Columbia County Planning & Zoning Department or the Town Building Inspector to directly discuss your project.
Which Permits Are Required
Construction projects can be divided into four basic categories of permit requirements. Projects that...
• Require both a Zoning Permit and a Building PermitGenerally any building project that involves creating a new structure, or that changes the footprint or "building envelope" of an existing structure, is going to require a zoning permit. That would apply to new houses, new garages, new sheds over 100 square feet, new porches, new decks, new patios, new gazebos, etc or enlarging or changing the shape of such structures. This list does NOT include everything! If in doubt, please check first. Also note that Shoreland Zoning is applicable to almost any project within 75 feet of the shore and some projects that are within 300 feet of the shore.
• Require only a Zoning Permit
Projects in the category of needing only a zoning permit, will most likely fall under the Shoreland Zoning within 75 feet of the water. Examples would be building a retaining wall, building stairs to the shore, installing a path to a dock, installing a patio, etc. when within the 75-foot setback area from the ordinary high water mark.
• Require only a Building Permit
As a general rule, construction projects that are interior to an existing structure, such as remodeling a bathroom or upgrading an electrical service panel will not require a zoning permit. In such cases, only the General Building Permit Application is required. Other projects that do not require a zoning permit, but may require a building permit are accessory buildings that do not exceed 100 square feet and are used by the residents of the principal building, including but not limited to tree houses and play houses, shelters for dogs and domestic pets of the residents of the property, ice fishing shanties, sheds, and other storage buildings under this 100 square foot threshold. • Don't require either a Zoning Permit or a Building Permit
Some projects do not require any building permit or zoning permit. These projects are along the lines of maintenance, repair, replacement, upkeep, etc. For instance, the Town of Lodi does not require a building permit for re-roofing or re-siding a building. A building permit is not required when replacing windows and doors with new ones that are the same size(s) as the originals. (However a building permit would be required when the "replacement" involves a structural change, such as replacing a window with something like a large bay window or a sliding glass patio door.) If you have any doubt about what permits are required, please contact either the Columbia County Planning & Zoning Department or the Town Building Inspector to directly discuss your project.
Building Permit Forms TITLE
|
| 2021 Building Permit Fee Schedule The final amount due will be calculated by the Town Building Inspector after you submit the completed permit application. You will then receive a call from the building inspector, stating that your building permit is available for pickup at the Town Hall and the amount that is due.
| PDF | When Do I Need A Building Permit? A very general set of guidelines produced by General Engineering Company. If in any doubt, please call the Town Hall or contact the Town Building Inspector directly.
| PDF | General Building Permit Application: Used for remodels, additions, alterations, decks, pools, fences, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, to raze an existing building, etc. This form covers most situations, but not driveways or the construction of a new home.
| Application | Access/Driveway Permit Application: This application applies to ALL accesses and/or driveways. (Driveways that connect to county highways are regulated by the Columbia County Highway Department. Driveways that connect to state highways are regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.) The meaning of access refers to the beginning portion of the driveway that is within the road right-of-way (63' from centerline for town roads; 75' from centerline for county highways; 110' from centerline for state or federal highways). The meaning of driveway is the portion that goes from the access to the home/building. (a) If your driveway is going to come off of a town road, then you obtain the Access/Driveway permit from the Town of Lodi. (b) If your driveway is going to come off of a Columbia County Highway then you get the Access permit from the Columbia County Highway Department and then the Driveway Permit from the Town of Lodi. (c) If your driveway is coming off of a State or Federal Highway then you get the Access Permit from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and then the Driveway Permit from the Town of Lodi. | PDF | | New Home Step #1 - Access/Driveway Permit: see above | | | New Home Step #2 - Sanitary Permit (only if your property is located in either the Harmony Grove or Okee Sanitary District): contact the Harmony Grove & Okee Sanitary District off @ (608) 592-5795. | | New Home Step #3 - Columbia County Zoning Permit:
| PDF | New Home Step #4 - Town of Lodi Building Permit:
| PDF Uniform Building Permit Application.pdf | | Columbia County Minimum Setback Requirements | PDF | | General Variance Application Form | PDF | | Driveway Variance Application Form | PDF | | Building a Deck - Code Requirements | PDF | | Permit For Excavating in Town Road Right-of-Way | PDF |
|