Which Stevens Point projects need a permit, project by project
The city publishes a "Residential Permits Requirements" list with a Permit Needed column and a Permit Not Needed column. The list says it is not all inclusive, and the version read was updated 6/8/22.[2]
Confirm with the office that nothing has changed since.
Roof replacement: permit required
The city's list names "Replacement of roof, soffit, and fascia" as work that needs a permit.[2]
Price a new roof with the guide below. See the Wisconsin roof replacement cost guide and the roofing overview.
Driveway and flatwork: permit required, with exceptions
"Driveway expansion, installation, or reconstruction" needs a permit. Patching or seal coating the existing driveway footprint does not.
Patios and landscaping retaining walls under 2 feet in height need no permit, while patios over 2 feet in height do.[2] If you need a concrete pro, the Badger Flatwork directory covers the state.
Side by side
Driveway and patio permits
Permit needed
- Driveway expansion, installation, or reconstruction
- Patios over 2 feet in height
No permit needed
- Patching or seal coating the existing driveway footprint
- Patios and retaining walls under 2 feet in height
Deck: permit required
"New or replacement of deck" needs a permit. Replacing boards on an existing deck does not.[2]
The Wisconsin deck code guide covers footings and railings.
Fence: permit required
The city lists "Fencing, or retaining walls 2 feet or higher" as needing a permit.
Temporary garden fencing such as mesh does not.[2]
Basement waterproofing: check with the city
The city list does not settle this one.
Check with the City of Stevens Point building permits page or call the office before work starts.
Stevens Point permit fees: where to look
None of the city pages read for these five jobs publish a fee. Check the city's fee schedule or ask the office.
The city's building code ordinance says permit fees follow the most recently adopted Community Development Department fee schedule. It also says work begun without a required permit can result in doubled fees.[9]
That makes the call before the work cheaper than the call after.
The city's commercial application form lists flat fees for minor improvements and points to a flat-fee schedule.[10] That form is for commercial work, so ask the office what applies to your residential job.
Applying for a permit and who inspects in Stevens Point
The office is the Department of Community Development: Building Inspection. Its page is on the city's building permits site.[1]
The city's ordinance requires a permit before constructing, enlarging, improving, repairing, altering, converting, extending, moving or demolishing a building or structure.[9]
The city application directs questions and submissions to CommunityDevelopment@stevenspoint.com.[10] For the office's address, phone and hours, use the city page. To compare with other places, see the permit table for Wisconsin cities.
Before you call, have these ready:
- The property address
- The scope of the job
- Who is doing the work
- Whether the work involves excavation or structural changes
Snow load and footing rules in Portage County
Two state rules apply on top of the city's permit.
Roof snow load
Portage County is in Zone 1, which is 40 psf (Zone 2 is 30 psf). The zone line runs along the county's south edge, so ask the county or municipal building inspector which zone your lot is in before designing a roof or addition.[3]
| Zone | Snow load |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 (Portage County) | 40 psf |
| Zone 2 | 30 psf |
The snow load data page lists every county.
Footing depth
Wisconsin has one statewide footing rule. 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.[4] A local inspector can ask for more, so ask the building inspector. The frost depth guide has the detail.
Who may pull the permit
For a one- or two-family dwelling, the person who obtains the building permit must hold a Dwelling Contractor certification (or a Restricted certification), held through a certificate of financial responsibility. It requires a bond of at least $25,000 or general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence.[5][6]
That business must also hold, or employ, a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. The Qualifier renews with 12 hours of approved continuing education.[7][8]
An owner who lives or will live in the dwelling and applies for a permit to do work on it is exempt.[6]
The credential only covers who may obtain the permit. It is not a trade license.[5] Read more on the Dwelling Contractor license page, and use the license lookup guide to check a contractor.
Stevens Point sits in what we group as the Up North region, a navigation label of ours and not an official boundary.
The city office has the final word on every permit question.
Last checked against city pages: October 2026.
Quick answers
Does a new roof need a permit in Stevens Point?
Yes. The city's list names replacement of roof, soffit, and fascia as work that needs a permit.
Do I need a permit to replace deck boards?
No. Replacing boards on an existing deck does not need one, but a new or replacement deck does.
Can a homeowner pull their own permit?
An owner who lives or will live in the dwelling and applies for a permit to do work on it is exempt from the Dwelling Contractor certification.
Sources
- City of Stevens Point. "Stevens Point building permits and inspections." https://stevenspoint.com/579/Building-Permits. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- City of Stevens Point. "Stevens Point: building permit rules (city page)." https://stevenspoint.com/DocumentCenter/View/5073. 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(1)(b); Wis. Stat. 101.654(1m)." https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20305.31. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- City of Stevens Point. "Chapter 30 Ordinance — Building Code." https://stevenspoint.com/DocumentCenter/View/108/Chapter-30---Building-Code. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- City of Stevens Point, Department of Community Development. "Application — Building Permit Commercial." https://stevenspoint.com/DocumentCenter/View/4921/Application---Building-Permit-Commercial. Accessed October 17, 2026.