Permits, Applications, and Development Requirements
While You Are Planning Your Project
Generally speaking, property owners should reach out to Town Hall to inquire if Town permits are required prior to starting work on projects. Town staff can direct you to the proper Town permit application(s). There may also be other permitting authorities that have jurisdiction over activity including Ozaukee County Land and Water Management, WDNR, Ozaukee County Highway Department, and WisDOT, or others. A non-exhaustive list as a starting point is below:
- Ozaukee County Land and Water: (262)-284-8313
- Ozaukee County Highway Department (who can direct you to WisDOT if needed): (262)-284-8331
- WDNR Milwaukee Location: (414)-263-8500
Paul Mortimer of SafeBuilt serves as Building Inspector for the Town of Cedarburg, providing residential and commercial permit and inspection services. SafeBuilt is a State Certified inspection agency, fully licensed, bonded and insured. As an experienced Building Inspection contractor, SafeBuilt will provide complete and professional service.
Building Inspector Office Hours: Inspector Mortimer is available for in-person assistance at Town Hall on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM. He can also be reached outside those office hours on his cell phone at (414) 640-9523. Inspector Mortimer can be reached via email here.
Inspection Requests (262)-420-4732: All inspection requests must be made by calling the inspection scheduling line at (262) 420-4732. All inspections must be scheduled by 4pm for next business day inspections.
Ozaukee County Land & Water Management Role in Permit Approvals
Wells, Wastewater, Shoreland Zoning, Floodplain
Ozaukee County has Shoreland and Floodplain Zoning ordinances that apply to the Town of Cedarburg. Property owners considering an improvement to their property should contact the Ozaukee County Land and Water Management Office at (262) 284-8313 during the planning phase of your project, as your work may require a County Shoreland Zoning or other County Permit issued by the Ozaukee County Land and Water Department. The Town of Cedarburg building permit application requires a confirmation from Ozaukee County indicating whether or not a project falls within the shoreland/wetland district and/or the floodplain district requiring a County permit so our Building Inspector is aware prior to issuing a Town permit/occupancy.
Ozaukee County handles permitting for drinking water wells as well as sanitary permits for private onsite wastewater treatment systems (POWTS). Specific to water and wastewater systems, Ozaukee County requires the Town Building Inspector to inspect interior connections to those systems, so both County and Town permits are required in those instances.
The County hosts a webpage for septic records available to the public: Click here to visit the website.
Private Well Water Testing Information and Resources
Most properties in the Town of Cedarburg are served by private well. A well is “private” if it has fewer than 15 connections and serves fewer than 25 people. In Wisconsin, about 66% of people use groundwater as their drinking water source (public and private sources). WDNR recommends private well users should test their private well for:
Click here to view a WDNR factsheet on private water testing.
Click here to visit the WDNR website that provides information and links to certified labs.
Click here to view more comprehensive information on private well testing on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Ozaukee County Land and Water Management and the Town do not have involvement in testing of private wells.
Building Area, Setbacks, Height & Design Guidelines
Below are links to answers for commonly asked questions regarding building requirements for principal and accessory structures, as well as design guidelines and standards for various types of development.
| Form | Description | Questions/ Email |
| Animal Guide | A list of what animals are allowed in which zoning districts; some allowed by conditional use only. Animal related concerns or complaints can be reported to the Ozaukee County Sheriff at 262-284-7172. | Contact |
| Principal Structures | List of zoning districts & lot size, building area, setbacks, height, & conditional use requirements for principal structures on conventional lots. | Contact |
| Accessory Buildings | List of zoning districts and maximum building size and yard setbacks for accessory buildings. | Contact |
| Two-Family Design Guidelines | These guidelines provide direction when constructing two-family residential development as part of a Planned Unit Development. | Contact |
| Design Guidelines & Standards | These guidelines & standards apply to Commercial, Multi-Family, Senior Care, Institutional & Government Facilities. | Contact |
Plan Commission Meetings & Deadlines for Submittals
| Form | Description | Questions/ Email |
| 2025 Plan Commission Meetings and Deadlines | This form lists the dates for Plan Commission meetings and the deadline for application and submittal of meeting materials if you would like to be on the Plan Commission agenda and have your item considered. | Contact |
Permits & Applications
| Form/Applications | Description | Questions/Email |
| 2025 Building Permit Fee Schedule | This form breaks down the rates for various permits and inspection fees. | Contact |
| 2025 Annual Fee Schedule
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This form lists the fees as set by the Town Board on an annual basis.
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Contact |
| General Permit Submittal Requirements Guide
New Homes New Home Construction Building Permit Application Link to New Home State Online Submittal How-to-Guide for State Online Submittal
General Building, HVAC, Electrical & Plumbing Application |
These documents provide detail on the submission process and requirements for new homes. Act 211 is now requiring that new home construction must be completed by verified contractors in the State of Wisconsin and reported accordingly starting January 2, 2018. Statewide, contractors share the responsibility of reporting their activities to the State via the link at left. A guide in how to do this is also at left. The guide provides step by step screen shots of the online reporting site, and creates an easy to follow guide to walk a contractor through the application process. | Contact |
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Use this form to apply for a berm permit. |
Contact | |
| Bee Keeping License Application | Use this form to apply for a license to keep honey bees on a residential property. | Contact |
| Camping Permit | Youth scouting groups can use this form to apply for a camping permit for Pleasant Valley Nature Park. | Contact |
| Chicken License Application | Property owners can use this form to apply for a chicken license. | Contact |
| Concept Plan Application | Applicants can use this process to gather feedback from the Plan Commission on potential projects before making formal submittals. | Contact |
| Conditional Use Application | A conditional use permit is required for a variety of uses. The primary reason for obtaining a conditional use permit is to operate a business in the Town of Cedarburg. | Contact |
| Culvert Permit | A culvert permit is required to modify a driveway within the Town right-of-way or locate a new driveway/culvert (New, Used, Temporary). | Contact |
| Driveway Permit | A driveway permit is required to install/repave a driveway and or approach. | Contact |
| EL-121 Application for Absentee Ballot | Complete this form and bring it to Town Hall to expedite the process of absentee voting. | Contact |
| EL-131 Voter Registration Application | Complete this form and submit it to Town Hall to register to vote in the Town of Cedarburg. | Contact |
| Stormwater Management Plan & Erosion Control Information and Applications | The Town approved an updated stormwater management plan and related ordinances at their June 7, 2023, meeting. The plan, presentation, ordinances, and related stormwater and erosion control permit applications can be found on the Stormwater Management Plan webpage. were drafted by Strand & Associates, and reviewed by WDNR before Town Board approval. The Town was successful in obtaining a $54,000 grant to help offset 50% of the costs related to the Stormwater Plan update. | Contact |
| Fire Protection System Permit Application | Any additions or alterations to fire alarm/detection, fire suppression/sprinkler, commercial cooking hood suppression, paint booth suppression, alternative suppression, radio coverage booster system, others as identified by the Fire Department | Contact |
| Firearm Discharge Permit WDNR Private Forest Lands Open to Public Recreation | This permit is required to discharge a firearm on any property in the Town that is not your own. There is no fee for this permit. Also included here is a link to the WDNR web mapping application that allows the public to locate private forest lands open to public recreation since they are enrolled in a Managed Forest Law Program. | Contact |
| Fireworks Permit Application | This permit is required to possess or use fireworks in the Town. There is no fee for this permit, but a certificate of insurance for bodily injury and property damage in the amount of one million dollars must be submitted before a permit will be issued. | Contact |
| 2025 Veolia Hazardous Waste Guide | A printable list of items that are accepted at the Veolia hazardous waste facility in Port Washington for disposal, price per pound for items, as well as a map to the facility. | Contact |
| Holding Tank Agreement Holding Tank Termination | Click here for a holding tank agreement application, service contract form, and holding tank agreement termination form. | Contact |
| Home Occupation Permit | Click here for the home occupation permit application. | Contact |
| Major Land Division Application & Complete Checklist | This packet contains the complete application and checklist for the entire major land division process (land divisions creating 5 or more parcels). | Contact |
| Minor Land Division (CSM) Application & Checklist | This packet contains the application and checklist that must be completed to undergo a minor land division (aka Certified Survey map, or CSM). | Contact |
| OHOW Fields & Korb Sports Complex Reservation Application | This application is used for the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Fields and/or Korb Sports Complex facilities rental. | Contact |
| Operator License Application | This application is required for those who want to serve fermented malt beverages and intoxicating liquors. | Contact |
| Temporary Beer/Wine Picnic License Application | This application is required for those who want to serve fermented malt beverages and wine at a temporary event (picnic license). | Contact |
| Outdoor Wood-Fired Furnace Permit Application | This application is first step toward installing an Outdoor Wood-Fired Furnace. (A HVAC permit is also required). | Contact |
| Oversize / Overweight Vehicle Permit | This permit is required for the operation of an oversize or overweight vehicle in the Town. These vehicles consist of those not completely on pneumatic tires or weighing more than 15,000 pounds. | Contact |
| Park Reservation Application | To reserve a park for any private use, submit this form along with the appropriate fee to Town Hall. | Contact |
| Peddler Permit Registration | Registration form required for a peddler, solicitor, or transient merchant within the Town of Cedarburg. | Contact |
| Planned Unit Development | Use this form and checklist to apply for a Planned Unit Development. | Contact |
| Pond Permit | A pond permit is required to construct a pond. A public hearing at the Town Board meeting is also required. | Contact |
| Pool FAQs Sheet | This outlines the information needed when submitting a pool or spa permit application. | Contact |
| Refuse & Recycling Guide | A printable comprehensive list of what items will be picked up as garbage, what should be taken to the Town Yard, and what should be taken to the Veolia facility in Port Washington as hazardous waste. | Contact |
| Residential Recycling Yard Card Application | Complete this form to access the Town Yard adjacent to Town Hall for recycling certain items. | Contact |
| Rezone Application | Complete this form if you would like to petition to rezone a parcel of land. | Contact |
| Text Amendment Application | Complete this form if you would like to petition to amend the Town Code. | Contact |
| Permit to Work Within the Right-of-Way | Complete this form if you would like to complete work within the Town right-of-way. | Contact |
| Sign Permit | A sign permit must be obtained prior to a sign being erected in the Town of Cedarburg. | Contact |
| Site Plan Checklist | This form must be submitted along with a conditional use permit. The primary objective is ensure that new developments in the Town are functional and aesthetically pleasing. | Contact |
| Street Use Permit Application | This permit is required to close off part of a Town road for use by a private party. There is a $25 fee for this permit. The Town may also require a certificate of general comprehensive liability insurance be submitted before a permit will be issued. | Contact |
| Town Center Overlay District Application | This application is required to request Town Center Overlay District zoning, allowing a high degree of flexibility in development projects. | Contact |
| Zoning Board of Appeals Application | This application is required to request a variance for your property. | Contact |