City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street, Room 608, Green Bay, WI 54301
Phone: (920) 448-3300 (8 AM–4 PM)
Website: greenbaywi.gov/permits →
WI DSPS: (608) 261-8500 · dsps.wi.gov →
Green Bay bathroom permit rules — the basics and basement advantage
Bathroom renovation permits in Green Bay are obtained through the Building Inspection Division at City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street, Room 608. Phone: (920) 448-3300. Wisconsin SPS codes (Safety and Professional Services codes — Wisconsin's own state residential code system) govern, plus Green Bay local ordinances. Submit the long project permit application for bathroom remodel scopes. Processing time: approximately one week.
Wisconsin requires contractor certifications for dwelling work: Wisconsin DSPS Dwelling Contractor Certification AND Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification for general/building work. Wisconsin-licensed master plumbers for plumbing. Wisconsin DSPS-licensed electricians for electrical. Verify certifications at dsps.wi.gov or (608) 261-8500. Owner-occupants of their primary single-family residence may obtain permits and personally perform building, plumbing, and electrical work — for DIY electrical, the homeowner must first meet with a city electrical inspector at City Hall at (920) 448-3300.
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) provides both electricity and natural gas to Green Bay. Service changes for either require WPS coordination alongside the city permit. Cosmetic bathroom work is permit-exempt: same-location fixture replacement, retiling, repainting at existing connection locations.
Green Bay's housing stock — including many pre-1960s homes in older neighborhoods — commonly has full basements reflecting the deep frost depth (48–60 inches). Basement access is the key cost advantage for bathroom drain relocation: in a basement home, first-floor drain pipes run through the floor joist space and are accessible from below without concrete cutting (~$600–$1,500 for plumbing scope). This contrasts sharply with slab-on-grade markets like Allen TX or Norman OK where every drain relocation requires expensive saw-cutting. Newer Green Bay construction may be slab-on-grade; confirm foundation type.
| Bathroom task | Permit required in Green Bay? |
|---|---|
| Same-location replacement, retile, repaint | No permit. Cosmetic at existing connection locations is permit-exempt. |
| Move drain (basement home) | Plumbing permit at City Hall Room 608. Wisconsin-licensed master plumber. Basement access from below, no concrete cutting. ~$600–$1,500. Common in older Green Bay homes. |
| Move drain (slab home) | Plumbing permit. Wisconsin-licensed master plumber. Concrete saw-cutting. ~$1,500–$4,000. Less common but present in newer Green Bay construction. |
| New GFCI circuits | Electrical permit. Wisconsin DSPS-licensed electrician. DIY: owner must first meet city electrical inspector at City Hall (920-448-3300). |
| Gas line modifications | Plumbing/gas permit. Wisconsin-licensed master plumber. WPS natural gas. Pressure test before concealment. |
| Structural wall removal | Building permit. Wisconsin DSPS-certified Dwelling Contractor. Wisconsin SPS structural provisions. |
What bathroom remodels cost in Green Bay
Cosmetic refresh (same locations): $7,000–$16,000. Renovation with basement drain relocation: $9,000–$18,000. Slab drain relocation (if applicable): adds $1,500–$4,000. Full gut renovation: $15,000–$35,000. Contact (920) 448-3300 for current permit fee.
Common questions about Green Bay WI bathroom remodel permits
How do I apply for a bathroom permit in Green Bay?
Long project permit application submitted in-person at City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street, Room 608. Phone: (920) 448-3300. Wisconsin DSPS-certified contractor (dwelling contractor certification required) or owner-occupant permit for own primary single-family residence.
What is the Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification?
Wisconsin requires contractors performing one- and two-family residential construction to hold a Wisconsin DSPS Dwelling Contractor Certification AND a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification. These are state-level certifications, not local licenses. Verify at dsps.wi.gov or (608) 261-8500. The City of Green Bay verifies these certifications before issuing a residential building permit.
Can a Green Bay homeowner do their own bathroom work?
Yes, with important caveats. Owner-occupants of their primary single-family (not duplex, not rental, not condo) dwelling may obtain permits and personally perform building, plumbing, and electrical work. For electrical DIY: the homeowner must first schedule a meeting with a city electrical inspector at City Hall at (920) 448-3300 to demonstrate basic wiring knowledge. For rental properties: a Wisconsin DSPS-certified contractor must pull the permit and perform the work.
Why do older Green Bay homes have basements?
Green Bay's frost depth of 48–60 inches requires footings well below the frost line. Building a full basement at that depth is economically efficient: once footings go 4–5 feet deep, extending to 7–8 feet for a full basement adds minimal excavation cost while providing significant usable space. The combination of deep frost requirements and Wisconsin's cold winters has made full basement construction standard practice in Green Bay for over a century.
Who provides gas and electricity to Green Bay?
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) provides both electricity and natural gas to Green Bay (a WEC Energy Group subsidiary). Contact WPS at 800-450-7260. Service changes require WPS coordination alongside the city permit. Unlike Topeka (Evergy + Atmos Energy) or most other cities in this guide, Green Bay has a single utility for both electric and gas service.
City of Green Bay Building Inspection Division. Wisconsin DSPS contractor certification required. Contact (920) 448-3300 for current permit fee schedule. Not engineering advice.