Building/Inspections

Tasks:

The Building Department provides services for commercial and residential construction projects. The Building Department has a Department Manager, building inspector, residential electrical inspector, part-time commercial electrical inspector, residential plumbing inspector, part-time commercial plumbing inspector, and a half-time administrative assistant. The staff assists in the review and issuance of permits and all inspections. Citizens can call or stop in with questions.

Reasons to Contact our Department:

The Building Department can assist in answering questions on building application procedures and building codes.

When is a Building Permit Required?

• All new residential dwellings*
  • New Home requirements:
    1. Zoning application with survey and orange zoning permit card
    2. Two sets of house plans
    3. Two energy worksheets - acquired from the heating contractor
    4. WI enginerring stamp for floor and roof trusses and a plan layout of trusses 
    5. If a mound system is needed, the sanitary permit from Racine County Planning & Development is required 
    6. Specifications for a pre-fabricated fireplace, if applicable
    7. Two copies of a parcel survey
    8. Copy of contractor license with address & phone number
  • Building Permit application
  • New Home permit application
• All new commercial buildings*
  • Commerical building requirements:
    1. Zoning application with survey and orange zoning permit card
    2. Two sets of complete state approved plans showing electrical, plumbing, heating & air conditioning, and structural plans
  • State of Wisconsin DSPS
    • Commercial Buildings
    • Plan Review 
• All additions* and alterations - i.e. rec. rooms
• Moving of buildings*
• Swimming pools*
• Sheds*
• Decks*
  • Deck Code
  • Deck Code Commentary
  • Typical Deck Framing Plan 
• Garages*, ** / pole barns* (Accessory Structure Wall Section)
• Razing
  • Razing permit application 
• Heating, air conditioning and fireplaces
• Roofing
• Siding
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• This is a partial listing. Other activities may also require a permit.

* Requires zoning permit
** Garages that are in a residential area require a variance through the Village of Caledonia before they can apply for a zoning permit if over 1050 square feet.

What Should Residents Bring?

Racine County Zoning Permit

To obtain a building permit that requires re-zoning, you must first contact Racine County Planning & Development at 14200 Washington Avenue, Sturtevant, WI 53177, 262-886-8440 for a zoning permit and submit the following information to that office:

1. A plotted survey for any new residential or commercial buildings
2. A hand drawn survey showing proposed structure and setbacks. (Setbacks - distances from lot line to the front, back and side of the structure.) Note: all setbacks are handled by Racine County Planning & Development
3. If the site requires a private sewage disposal system, a sanitary permit must also be obtained from Racine County Planning & Development

After the zoning permit has been issued by RCPD, the individual then applies for a building permit from the Village of Caledonia. A copy of the zoning application with survey, orange zoning permit card, proposed plan and sanitary permit, if needed, must be presented to the Village of Caledonia building department.