Do you need a permit in Sun Prairie, project by project?
Start by confirming you live in the City of Sun Prairie and not the Town of Sun Prairie. The Town is a separate jurisdiction with its own process and its own website, so its rules are not the city's.
The city's building permit page lists the exterior and interior work that needs a permit.[2] Here is how your five jobs fall out.
Roof replacement
Yes. The city says a permit is needed for "Roof replacement on a house or a garage."[2]
Deck
Yes. The city lists "A Deck addition, replacement or alteration (Plan required)." Replacing deck boards does not need a building permit.[2]
Swapping boards is one thing. Replacing the structure is another. Describe the job to the city the way it is actually scoped.
Fence
Yes. The city lists "A Fence addition, replacement or alteration (Plan required)."[2]
Basement waterproofing
Yes, for drain tile. For interior work the city says a permit is required for "Drain tile and/or basement drainage system installation." Basement finish or remodel is listed separately and also needs a plan.[2]
If your job is a sump, an exterior excavation or something else, ask the city how it classifies that scope. For a pro, see Badger Basements.
Driveway and flatwork
Check with the city. Confirm with the Building Inspection Department whether your driveway, patio or sidewalk work needs a permit before you sign a contract, and get the answer in writing.
Pros are listed at Badger Flatwork.[1]
Fees for Sun Prairie permits, by job
The city publishes its fees on its Fee Schedules page.[3] These are the figures for your five jobs:
- Roof replacement (one- and two-family): $75
- Fence: $75
- Deck: $150, plus zoning, plan review, aerial imaging and erosion control fees
- Basement waterproofing: check the city's fee schedule
- Driveway and flatwork: check the city's fee schedule
The deck line shows why the headline number is not the total. Several add-on fees can stack on top of the $150.[3]
| Project | Permit fee |
|---|---|
| Roof replacement (one- and two-family) | $75 |
| Fence | $75 |
| Deck | $150, plus add-on fees |
| Basement waterproofing | Check the fee schedule |
| Driveway and flatwork | Check the fee schedule |
Ask for the full calculation for your address before you compare contractor quotes. For roof pricing beyond the permit, see our Roof Replacement Cost in Wisconsin guide.
Applying and inspections through the Sun Prairie building office
The office is the Building Inspection Department. Its page is cityofsunprairie.com/186/Building-Inspection.[1] Start there for applications and for questions about your address and exact scope.
The city's permit page covers each project type in the same place. Its deck guidance has its own page at Decks, Gazebos, Pergolas.[2]
For other cities, see the permit table for Wisconsin cities or neighboring Fitchburg and Madison.
Ask your city or building inspector which state code applies to this work. Our Uniform Dwelling Code guide explains what it covers.
Dane County snow load and footing rules
Two state rules apply on top of the city's process.
Roof snow load
Dane County is in Zone 2, which is 30 psf. The county is not on the zone line.
The rule is SPS 321.02(1)(b)2 and Figure 321.02, the zone map for roof loads.[4] Zone 1 is 40 psf. See the Wisconsin snow load table for other counties.
Footing depth
Wisconsin uses one statewide rule, with no county frost-depth table.
Under SPS 321.16(1)(a), 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.[5] Footings may not be placed on frozen material.[5]
That matters for a deck addition or replacement, where footings are part of the plan. Ask the building inspector whether anything beyond 48 inches applies to your lot.
More detail is in our frost depth guide and Wisconsin deck code guide.
Certification needed to pull a permit
For a one- or two-family dwelling, a person who obtains a building permit must work through a Dwelling Contractor certification (or a Dwelling Contractor Restricted certification). That person must also hold, or employ, a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier.[6][7][9]
The Dwelling Contractor credential comes with a bond of at least $25,000 or general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence.[6] The Qualifier renews with 12 hours of department-approved continuing education.[8]
Owner-occupants are exempt. An owner who lives or will live in the dwelling and applies for a permit to do work on it does not need the credential.[7]
Side by side
Who pulls the permit
Owner-occupant
- Lives or will live in the dwelling
- No Dwelling Contractor credential needed
Everyone else
- Dwelling Contractor certification
- Holds or employs a Qualifier
DSPS asks for Dwelling Contractor and Qualifier details on permit filings unless the applicant identifies as an owner-occupant.[10]
This credential is about who may obtain the building permit. It does not say which trades may do the work.[6]
To verify a contractor, use the DSPS license lookup guide, and see our Dwelling Contractor license page for the full picture.
Quick answers
Do I need a permit to replace deck boards?
No. Replacing deck boards does not need a building permit, but a deck addition, replacement or alteration does.
Can an owner pull their own permit?
Yes. An owner who lives or will live in the dwelling does not need the Dwelling Contractor credential.
How much is a roof permit?
The fee for a one- or two-family roof replacement is $75.
How deep must footings go?
Below frost penetration or at least 48 inches below adjacent grade, whichever is deeper.
Sources
- City of Sun Prairie. "Sun Prairie building permits and inspections." https://cityofsunprairie.com/186/Building-Inspection. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- City of Sun Prairie. "Sun Prairie: building permit rules (city page)." https://cityofsunprairie.com/222/Building-Permit. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- City of Sun Prairie. "Sun Prairie: building permit rules (city page)." https://cityofsunprairie.com/208/Fee-Schedules. 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.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. "Information for Municipality UDC Permit Reporting under 2015 Act 211." https://dsps.wi.gov/esla-information/municipality-permit-filing-information/. Accessed October 17, 2026.