1. Resources for the Madison Community

    Madison stands with the families of Abundant Life community. This page is dedicated to connecting victims and the broader community to resources and accurate information about the tragic events that happened on December 16.

Apartment buildings along rail ways
Development Services Center
  1. Building Inspection Counter Appointments

    Building Inspection plan review and zoning review counters will be open to the public by appointment only.

1 & 2 Family Residential

1 & 2 Family is a type of building per WI building code. It refers to the number of dwelling units in one building. If a dwelling unit is in a building with more than two units, it is not a 1 & 2 family dwelling. 

Any building with three or more attached units follows the commercial building code.

Who can apply for a permit?

For one and two family dwellings:

  1. Owner occupants working on an alteration/addition can have building and mechanical permits.
  2. Owner occupants building a new house can have a building permit. Only licensed professionals can apply for mechanical permits.
  3. Owner non-occupants working on one and two family rentals need licenses to have a permit. Licensed professionals must apply for building and mechanical permits.
  4. Owners living on one side of a duplex can have building permits for both sides. Licensed professionals must apply for mechanical permits for both sides.[1]
  5. Owners living on one side of a 2-unit where each side has a different owner can only have a building permit for their side. 


Owners, be aware of s. 101.65(1r)! If you hire someone to work under your permit, and they are not insured as required by s. 101.654 (2)(a), you are responsible for the work and any injury or damage that may result from it.

[1] Section 101.654(1)(b), Stats., exempts an owner of a dwelling who resides or will reside in the dwelling and who applies for a building permit to perform work on the dwelling from obtaining a dwelling contractor financial responsibility certification.

“Dwelling” means any building that contains one (1) or two (2) dwelling units. SPS 320.07(25)

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1 & 2 Family Residential