Roof snow load zones in Wisconsin
The Uniform Dwelling Code splits the state into two roof snow load zones. Zone 1, the northern part, is 40 psf. Zone 2, the southern part, is 30 psf.[1] The figure is a design load, meaning how much weight the roof structure is designed to carry.
Of the 72 counties, 22 sit clear of the line in Zone 1 and 29 sit clear of it in Zone 2.[1]
Zone 1 counties include Ashland, Douglas, Marathon, Oneida and Vilas. Zone 2 counties include Dane, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Rock and La Crosse.
Side by side
Roof snow load zones
Zone 1
- Northern part of the state
- 40 psf design load
Zone 2
- Southern part of the state
- 30 psf design load
Counties on the zone line
The other 21 counties touch the line. The code's figure is a scanned map, so a lot near the line needs the inspector's answer. Those counties are Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Clark, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Juneau, Oconto, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Portage, Shawano, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood.[1]
Jackson County is split by the line itself.
Ask the county or municipal building inspector which zone your lot is in. The full county list is on the roof snow load by county page, and the Uniform Dwelling Code guide explains who enforces it.
Roof replacement permits vary by Wisconsin city
It depends on the city. Among the 30 largest Wisconsin cities by Census population[2], the roof column of our permit table breaks down like this:
- Yes: 11 cities, including Madison, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Fond du Lac, Sun Prairie and Superior.
- No: 2 cities, Green Bay and Waukesha.
- Depends: 5 cities, including Racine, Oshkosh, Franklin and Neenah.
- Check with the city: 12 cities, including Milwaukee, Kenosha, Janesville and Wausau.
Permit rules for residential re-roofing vary by city. Madison's chart lists a reroof as a yes, while Green Bay's and Waukesha's say a re-roof with no structural changes needs none.
A re-roof does not automatically mean a permit, and it does not automatically mean none.
| Roof permit answer | Cities | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 11 | Madison, Eau Claire, La Crosse |
| No | 2 | Green Bay, Waukesha |
| Depends | 5 | Racine, Oshkosh, Franklin |
| Check with the city | 12 | Milwaukee, Kenosha, Janesville |
Where the answer turns
In the "no" cities, the trigger is structural change. Ask the city whether decking replacement or framing repair changes the answer for your roof.
Where the matrix says "depends," the city's own page sets the conditions. Look up your city on the permits by city page, or go straight to the building department, such as Madison, Green Bay or Waukesha.
Where the matrix shows "check with the city," the city page linked from the data page is the place to start.
The city or the building inspector has the final word on any of this.
No state license is listed for Wisconsin roofers
DSPS does not list a state license for roofing. The DSPS A-Z Professions List names 233 credentials and has no roofing entry.[3] That is an absence finding from the list, not a statute.
What does exist is a permit-pulling credential. Anyone who obtains a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling needs a Dwelling Contractor certification, or a Dwelling Contractor Restricted certification, held through a certificate of financial responsibility.[5] That certificate needs a bond of at least $25,000 or general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence, and it is valid for one year.[4]
It is not a trade license.
It does not say which trades may work, only who may obtain the building permit.[4]
The Qualifier and the owner exemption
A business holding the Dwelling Contractor credential must also hold, or engage as an employee, a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier.[7] The Qualifier is an individual credential, and eligibility requires at least 12 hours in an approved initial qualifier course.[11]
Renewal takes 12 hours of approved continuing education, 4 of them on construction laws and codes, contracts, liability and risk management.[6]
An owner who lives or will live in the dwelling and applies for a permit to do work on it is exempt.[5] Here is how that sorts out:
| Situation | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Owner-occupant doing own roof, city requires a permit | Exempt from the Dwelling Contractor requirement[5] |
| Contractor, city requires a permit, one- or two-family home | Dwelling Contractor plus Qualifier to pull it[7] |
| Contractor, city requires no permit | Check with the city; the credential is tied to obtaining a permit[4] |
Roof work that touches plumbing, electrical wiring or HVAC equipment needs those trades' credentials.[3] The Dwelling Contractor license page covers the details.
Checking a roofer's credentials with DSPS
Use the DSPS credential look-up (LicensE), linked from the DSPS home page.[10] Search by name or credential number, then read the credential type, status and expiry.[8]
Know what you are looking at. A Dwelling Contractor is an organization record, while a Qualifier, electrician or plumber is an individual record.[8]
The eSLA public look-up is for permits, plan reviews and product approvals, not for checking a contractor.[9] Our look-up walkthrough shows the steps.
A credential record is not a full vetting.
Pro tip
Ask each roofer to bid the same line-item scope, covering tear-off, decking, flashing, ventilation, permits, warranty and cleanup, so the bids compare fairly.
Ask for proof of insurance, references and a line-item scope covering tear-off, decking, flashing, ventilation, permits, warranty and cleanup. Get several written bids, because a low number can reflect omitted work. For price context, see the roof replacement cost guide.
Avoid signing under pressure, and read the cancellation language before you do.
Questions to put to the building inspector
Call the city or county inspector before you sign anything. Ask the questions below, because the answers differ from town to town.
- Does a tear-off and re-roof with no structural changes need a permit?
- Does decking replacement or framing repair change that answer?
- Which roof snow load zone is my lot in?
- Does a second layer of shingles need a permit?
- Must the contractor hold a Dwelling Contractor certification to pull the permit?
- What inspections apply, and when?
- Who pulls the permit, and what does it cost?
Ask the inspector, and ask your insurer, how a repair-versus-replace threshold is defined for your roof.
Ice dams are a separate problem from permits. If water is backing up at your eaves, the gutters guide covers snow load and ice, and foxvalleygutters.com is a directory for ice dam work.
Quick answers
Does Wisconsin require a state roofing license?
DSPS lists no state roofing license. Its A-Z Professions List names 233 credentials and has no roofing entry.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof?
It depends on the city. Check with your building department, because 12 of the 30 largest cities say yes and 2 say no.
What roof snow load applies in Wisconsin?
Zone 1, the northern part, is 40 psf. Zone 2, the southern part, is 30 psf. Ask your inspector which zone your lot is in.
Can an owner pull a permit for their own roof?
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 requirement.
Sources
- 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.
- U.S. Census Bureau. "City and town population totals, Wisconsin, Vintage 2025." https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/cities/totals/sub-est2025_55.csv. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. "DSPS A-Z Professions List." https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/. 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. "DSPS credential look-up (LicensE)." https://license.wi.gov/s/license-lookup. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. "DSPS eSLA public look-up (permits, plan reviews, product approvals)." https://esla.wi.gov/publiclookup. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. "DSPS home page." https://dsps.wi.gov/. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. "Dwelling Contractor Qualifier — New Licensure." https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/dwelling-contractor-qualifier-dcq/new-licensure/. Accessed October 17, 2026.