Local building department guide · Updated 2026-07-30

Green Bay Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

Use this guide to find the official City of Green Bay Building Inspections Division, start a permit application, search permit records, schedule an inspection, and locate the correct zoning or plan review contact.

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The City of Green Bay Building Inspection Division issues permits, reviews plans, performs inspections, and supports zoning and development review for property inside the city. Nearby Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Howard, the Town of Green Bay, Oneida, and Scott have separate local requirements; Green Bay’s permit page specifically warns applicants to verify the physical municipality instead of relying on a Green Bay mailing address.

Green Bay building permits and plan review

Green Bay requires permits for most new construction, alterations, improvements, reconstruction, and certain temporary structures. The city’s permit guides provide applications and submittal checklists for decks, basements, garages, additions, pools, residential remodels, commercial projects, HVAC, and erosion control. Commercial projects use the long building-permit form. Site plans, building plans, estimated cost, contractor information, and any required historic-preservation or erosion-control materials may be needed.

The city’s plan-review page explains that certain commercial projects require Green Bay building permit and plan review, and the city’s codes page identifies local zoning and building-code chapters used with Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code and state commercial code amendments.

Inspections, code compliance, and certificates of occupancy

Building inspections commonly include footing, foundation, rough/framing, insulation, and final inspections; HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work has separate rough and final stages. Request inspections through the city’s official inspection instructions or call (920) 448-3300. Green Bay’s permitting process includes review through issuance of a certificate of occupancy when the project requires one. Work must be inspected and compliant before occupancy is approved.

Official contact information

The city lists the Inspection Division at 100 North Jefferson Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301, with (920) 448-3300 for inspections and permitting questions. Use the city’s permit guides and forms page for current applications, fees, and submission instructions; it also links residents to the correct neighboring municipality when the property is outside Green Bay.

Permit process

How to Apply for a Green Bay Building Permit

01

Confirm the project scope

Identify the work, property address, project valuation, and whether plans are required.

02

Prepare your documents

Gather plans, owner and contractor details, site information, and any zoning approvals.

03

Submit and monitor

Submit through the department’s stated process, pay fees, and watch for review comments.

Field work & closeout

Building Inspections & Code Compliance in Green Bay

Most permitted work must remain accessible for inspection at defined stages. Before scheduling, check your permit record for the required inspection sequence and make sure the site is safe and ready. Final inspections can be especially important for code compliance and a certificate of occupancy.

Helpful preparation

Keep the permit card or approval number available, confirm the property address, and ask the official office about lead times or reinspection fees.

Planning & review

Zoning and Plan Review Requirements

A building permit is not always the only approval your project needs. Zoning guidelines may affect use, setbacks, height, parking, signage, or lot coverage. Residential and commercial building permits can also follow different plan review tracks, so confirm the correct path before investing in a full plan set.

For a project in Green Bay, start with the official department below and ask which zoning, planning, conservation, or fire review approvals apply to your address.

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Official Contact Information

DepartmentCity of Green Bay Building Inspections Division
Phone(920) 448-3300
Address100 North Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301
Official websitehttps://www.greenbaywi.gov/395/Building-Inspections
Last verified2026-07-30