When doing home improvements, please obtain your building permit prior to the anticipated start date of your project. Once applied for, allow 3-5 days for general applications to be processed. Permits are required even if you are doing the work yourself. A permit is not considered issued until picked up and paid for. We can take payment by check in person, by mail or in the 24-hour dropbox on the side of the Town Hall, or credit card at https://www.tn.cottagegrove.wi.gov/payments/ (fees apply).
Please contact the Town Building Inspector directly with your building permit needs.
Town Building Inspector
Jim Trebian
Phone: (608) 697-7779
email: jtrebian@generalengineering.net
Are you planning a project involving earth moving or land disturbance? You may need an erosion permit from Dane County. Click here for more information.
WHEN DO I NEED A BUILDING PERMIT?
- New Construction of a Home/Duplex
- Any alterations to an existing structure...
- Additions
- Adding or altering a deck/screen porch/pergola/gazebo
- Garages
- Re-Siding
- Re-Roofing
- Changing/Adding Electrical
- Changing/Adding Heating
- Changing/Adding Plumbing
- Changing/Adding Major Appliances (furnace, air conditioning, water softeners)
- Remodeling or Finishing Basements
- Replacing windows and exterior doors
- Swimming Pools and hot tubs
- Installation of wood stoves and fireplaces
- Building any kind of accessory building (garage, shed, etc.)
- Demolishing any building
- Any Construction to Commercial Property (Also requires Design Review. See section 12.08 of Chapter 12 - Building Code )
Building Permits are NOT required for:
- Installing seasonal storm windows and screens
- Changing interior flooring, carpet, inlaid tile or wood
- Installing private sidewalks on your property
- Decorative work such as painting, wallpaper, installing blinds
- Replacing an interior door or trim
- Installing brick pavers
- Replacing a cement stoop
If you do not get a building permit when required, the Town can double the fees, stop work, and fine you for every day the work is not in compliance. Permits and subsequent inspections help protect you by ensuring the work is "up-to-code" and save.
During the construction of your project, onsite inspections will be conducted to check that approved materials are used and the work meets code requirements. Any work or materials that are not up to code will need to be corrected and re-inspected. Inspections guard the safety of the occupants and your property investment.
When in doubt, please call the building inspector at (608) 697-7779.
HOW DO I GET A BUILDING PERMIT?
If you are adding any additional structure on your property, or making any changes to the footprint or volume of your existing structure(s) by adding a deck, porch, garage, or addition, you must first contact DANE COUNTY ZONING. They will let you know what your setback, lot coverage, height, etc. restrictions are based on the current zoning of your property, and issue a zoning permit to show your plans are in compliance.
Once you have visited that office and obtained your zoning permit, contact the building inspector at (608) 697-7779 to set up an appointment to come in for your building permit.
If you are doing any other work that does not require a visit to the Dane County Office, you can skip that step and give the building inspector a call at (608) 697-7779.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
- A sketch of your project:
- If it is a basement finish - sketch out the rooms
- If it is a shed - indicate where it will sit on the property in relation to other property items
- If it is a new residence, – full set of plans, HVAC loss calcs, name, address & license numbers of general, electrical, plumbing and heating contractors, site plan, and a copy of your Dane Co. Zoning permit (typed copy).
- Your contractor(s) name and address w/their license number
- Any and all pertinent information related to your project.