Racine permit needs, job by job
Racine's Building Inspection page names applications for three of your five jobs. It does not say when a permit is required or what is exempt, so the page alone does not settle the question.[1]
Roof replacement
The city lists a "Residential Roof Permit Application." The page names the job but does not state when a permit is needed.
Confirm with Building Inspection at 262-636-9171 before tear-off.[1] If you are weighing the job itself, see roofing in Wisconsin.
Deck
The city lists a "Pergola, Pavilion, Deck Application."[1] Again, the page does not say when a permit is required.
Call Building Inspection with your dimensions. The statewide build rules are in the Wisconsin deck code guide.
Fence
The city lists a "Fence Permit Application" and fence plan examples.[1] The page does not state when a fence needs a permit.
Ask the office before you set posts.
Driveway and flatwork
Check with the city. No driveway, flatwork or patio permit is listed among its applications, and it is worth confirming the rule with the city permit desk.
Start at the Building Inspection page.[1] If you need a pro, the statewide Badger Flatwork directory covers concrete and flatwork.
Basement waterproofing
Check with the city here too. No waterproofing permit application is listed, so confirm the rule with the city permit desk.[1]
Ask whether your scope changes anything beyond the waterproofing itself. For help finding a pro, see Badger Basements, or read about wet basements in Wisconsin.
| Job | Application listed by the city |
|---|---|
| Roof replacement | Residential Roof Permit Application |
| Deck | Pergola, Pavilion, Deck Application |
| Fence | Fence Permit Application |
| Driveway and flatwork | None listed |
| Basement waterproofing | None listed |
Where to find Racine permit fees
No fee for any of these five jobs is published on the city's pages. Check the city's fee schedule or ask the office.[1]
Dollar figures on other Racine Building Division forms, such as a paving permit application, belong to those forms. Do not assume they apply to your roof, deck or fence.
Ask for the current schedule rather than relying on an older estimate. For a side-by-side with other cities, the Wisconsin permits table collects fees, rules and links.
Where to apply and who inspects in Racine
The office is City Development: Building Inspection, and its page is at cityofracinewi.gov.[1] Its number for permit questions is 262-636-9171.
Only the Building Inspection page and its applications are checked here, so that is the number to use.[1]
This page covers the City of Racine. Other names in search results, such as the "Village of Racine" or Build Up Racine, are not this permit office.
If your address is outside the city limits, ask the county or your municipality which office applies.
Before you call, have these ready:
- The property address
- A short description of the job
- Dimensions and materials
- Whether you or a contractor will do the work
Racine sits in the Southeast region, which is our own navigation grouping, not an official boundary.
Snow load and footing rules in Racine County
Check with the city to see whether you need a permit. Ask your inspector which state building code applies to how the work is built.
Racine County is in Zone 2 for roof snow load, which is 30 psf (Zone 1 is 40 psf). The county is not on the zone line.[2] See the snow load table by county for comparison.
Footings and foundations, including those for landings and stoops, go below the frost penetration level or at least 48 inches below adjacent grade, whichever is deeper. Footings may not be placed on frozen material.[3]
Wisconsin has no county frost-depth table, so ask the building inspector if you think your site needs more. More detail is in the 48-inch footing rule guide.
Who may pull a permit
For a one- or two-family dwelling, a person generally may not get a building permit without a Dwelling Contractor certification and a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certification, unless a statutory exception applies.[7] The Dwelling Contractor credential is held through a certificate of financial responsibility, which is valid for one year.[4]
It requires a bond of at least $25,000 or general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence.[4]
An owner who lives or will live in the dwelling and applies for the permit is exempt.[5] If you are not the resident owner, the applicant must hold or employ a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier.[8]
Side by side
Who applies for the permit
Resident owner
- Lives or will live in the dwelling
- Applies for the permit
- Exempt from the credentials
Anyone else
- Must hold or employ a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier
The credential is for pulling permits, not a trade license. It does not say which trades may work, only who may obtain the building permit.[4]
The Qualifier renews with 12 hours of approved continuing education.[6]
If you hire out, ask who will apply for the permit, then verify the credentials on the DSPS lookup. The dwelling contractor license guide explains both credentials.
Quick answers
Do I need a permit for a roof in Racine?
The city lists a Residential Roof Permit Application but does not state when one is needed. Confirm with Building Inspection at 262-636-9171 before tear-off.
Is a fee published for these jobs?
No fee for the five jobs is published on the city's pages. Check the city's fee schedule or ask the office.
Can I pull my own permit?
An owner who lives or will live in the dwelling and applies for the permit is exempt from the contractor credentials.
How deep do footings go?
Below the frost penetration level or at least 48 inches below adjacent grade, whichever is deeper.
Sources
- City of Racine. "Racine: building permit rules (city page)." https://cityofracinewi.gov/citydevelopment/building-inspection/. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Legislature. "Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, SPS 321.02 (roof snow load) and Figure 321.02." https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20321.02. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Legislature. "Wisconsin Administrative Code, SPS 321.16 (Footings and foundations)." https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20321.16. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. "Dwelling Contractor (DC) (DSPS)." https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/dwelling-contractor-dc/. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Legislature. "Wis. Stat. 101.654; SPS 305.31." https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/101.654. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. "Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ) (DSPS)." https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/dwelling-contractor-qualifier-dcq/. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Legislature. "SPS 305.31 — Dwelling Contractor and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier." https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/301_319/305/III/31. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Legislature. "Chapter SPS 320–325." https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/320_325/320.pdf. Accessed October 17, 2026.