Permission to Start
Some construction work may be started prior to receiving approved plans.
Overview
A building owner may request, and the Department may grant, permission to start certain aspects of construction prior to receiving approved plans. A building owner who has been granted permission to start early construction may proceed at the owner's own risk without assurance that a conditional approval for the plan set will be granted. A building owner shall be responsible for any changes required after plans have been reviewed, and to remove or replace any non-code compliant installations. Learn more about specific permissions to start below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Commercial Buildings Under SPS 361
Footing and foundation work.
Installation of radiant in-floor heating.
Plumbing Under SPS 382
Permission to start work is issued under a Department-sponsored Alternate Approval covering installation of:
Building drain & vent, sanitary
Building drain & vent, storm
Building sewer, sanitary
Building sewer, storm
Water service
Private interceptor main sewer, sanitary
Private interceptor main sewer, storm
Private water main
Water distribution system
Scope of early plumbing work is limited to installations below grade and ≤ 18 inches above floor only.
The agency performing the plan review has authority to issue permission to start requests.
If the Department performs the plan review, a permission to start granted by the Department cannot supersede any local permitting.
The response time varies based on the type of work requested to start.
Commercial Buildings
The Department will respond to a permission to start request within 3 business days of receiving the request, including all required documentation and fees.
Plumbing
The Department will respond to a permission to start request within 5 business days of receiving the request, including all required documentation and fees.
The request process varies based on the type of work requested to start.
Commercial Buildings
The most efficient method is to request the permission to start with your commercial building plan review submission.
- Complete the permission to start request information, including owner signature, on SBD-8126, Checklist for Commercial Building Plan Review.
- Complete the permission to start request information in the online plan submittal application via esla.wi.gov.
If you need to request permission to start after you've submitted for plan review, submit SBD-8129, Commercial Building Permission to Start.
Plumbing
The most efficient method is to request the permission to start with your plumbing plan review submission.
- Complete the permission to start request information, including owner signature, on SBD-8107, Checklist for General Plumbing Plan Review.
- Complete the permission to start request information in the online plan submittal application via esla.wi.gov.
If you need to request permission to start after you've submitted for plan review, complete a new SBD-8107, Checklist for General Plumbing Plan Review, and upload as additional information to your existing plan review submission via esla.wi.gov.