Wisconsin building code

Codes in force in Wisconsin

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

Energy code, residential

Applies to

One- and two-family dwellings under the UDC²

Amendments

Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 322¹

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁸

Applies to

Commercial buildings, places of employment, public buildings and multifamily buildings with three or more units; not one- and two-family dwellings⁸

Amendments

Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 361-366⁴

Transition period

Plans submitted on or after November 1, 2025 must comply³

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁸

Applies to

Commercial buildings, places of employment, public buildings and multifamily buildings with three or more units; not one- and two-family dwellings⁸

Amendments

Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 361-366⁴

Transition period

Plans submitted on or after November 1, 2025 must comply³

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁸

Applies to

Commercial buildings, places of employment, public buildings and multifamily buildings with three or more units; not one- and two-family dwellings⁸

Amendments

Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 361-366⁴

Transition period

Plans submitted on or after November 1, 2025 must comply³

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁸

Applies to

Commercial buildings, places of employment, public buildings and multifamily buildings with three or more units; not one- and two-family dwellings⁸

Amendments

Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 361-366⁴

Transition period

Plans submitted on or after November 1, 2025 must comply³

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁸

Applies to

Commercial buildings, places of employment, public buildings and multifamily buildings with three or more units; not one- and two-family dwellings⁸

Amendments

Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 361-366⁴

Transition period

Plans submitted on or after November 1, 2025 must comply³

International Fire Code (IFC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁸

Applies to

Commercial buildings, places of employment, public buildings and multifamily buildings with three or more units; not one- and two-family dwellings⁸

Amendments

Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 361-366⁴

Transition period

Plans submitted on or after November 1, 2025 must comply³

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁹

Applies to

Statewide; commercial electrical permits/inspections required for listed installations (farms, public buildings, places of employment, etc.)⁵

Amendments

Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316⁵

Transition period

Licensing exams reflect the new code from October 1, 2026⁶

State code

Amendments

Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 381-387⁷

How Wisconsin adopts building codes

Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 320-325 (Uniform Dwelling Code), SPS 361-366 (Commercial Building Code), SPS 316 (Electrical), SPS 381-387 (Plumbing)

• Cities, villages and towns exercise UDC jurisdiction if they comply with DSPS requirements (SPS 320.06(1)). Except as provided in Wis. Stat. secs. 101.651 (1) and (2m), cities, villages, and towns shall exercise jurisdiction over the construction and inspection of new one- and two-family dwellings provided the municipality complies with DSPS requirements.¹⁰
• Statewide commercial code adopts 2021 IBC, IEBC, IMC, IFGC, IECC and portions of IFC as of September 1, 2025. As of September 1, 2025, Wisconsin adopted codes and standards include the International Building Code 2021, the International Existing Building Code 2021, the International Mechanical Code 2021, the International Fuel Gas Code 2021, the International Energy Conservation Code 2021, and portions of the International Fire Code 2021.³

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see Wisconsin building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.