One of the most common questions Milwaukee homeowners ask before a roofing project: "Do I need a permit?" The short answer: it depends on your municipality, and your contractor should know the answer before they start.
City of Milwaukee
The City of Milwaukee requires a permit for full roof replacements (tear-off and re-roof). Permits are pulled by the contractor — any licensed Wisconsin roofing contractor can apply. Cost: typically $75–$150 depending on project value. Inspection is required after installation.
If your contractor tells you permits "aren't necessary" in the City of Milwaukee, they're either wrong or cutting corners. Unpermitted roofing work surfaces during home sales (inspectors check permit history) and can complicate insurance claims.
Milwaukee County Municipalities
Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, Glendale, Brown Deer, Bayside, and most other Milwaukee County suburbs require permits for full tear-offs. Some municipalities waive the permit requirement for overlay installations (re-roofing over existing shingles), but overlay installs are generally not recommended and Apexium doesn't perform them.
Menomonee Falls and Butler (Waukesha County municipalities we serve) have their own permit requirements — Apexium pulls permits in all communities we work in.
What the Permit Process Looks Like
1. Apexium submits permit application before work begins
2. Municipality issues permit (typically 1–3 business days for residential)
3. Work proceeds — permit posted at job site
4. Final inspection scheduled after completion
5. Inspection passed — permit closed
Why This Matters for You
If a contractor asks you to pull your own permit, or says the job doesn't need one when it clearly does, walk away. Licensed contractors pull their own permits. That's what the license is for.
All Apexium projects include permit acquisition as part of our service — you'll receive the permit number and inspection record.
Have a specific question about your Milwaukee roof? We answer directly.