Ordinance 2025–04

Written by

T0WN OF HARTFORD

Washington County, Wisconsin

3360 Highway K

Hartford, WI 53027

Ordinance No. 2025--04

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS UNDER SECTION 14.06 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF HARTFORD, WASHINGTON COUNTY, WISCONSIN.

WHEREAS, WHEREAS,

The Town of Hartford is a body corporate and politic; and the Town Board has determined that such commercial permits and inspections are a practice is in the best interest of the general public and Town residents, and has directed that the Ordinances of the Town of Hartford be amended accordingly;
 
   

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Town Board of the Town of Hartford, Washington County, Wisconsin, that Chapter 14 Building Code, of the Town of Hartford Code of Ordinance is hereby amended as follows:

14.06 amended to include and read as follows:

Section 1 Permit Required. No owner or contractor may commence construction of any building or mechanical system prior to obtaining a valid permit(s) from the municipal Building Inspector.

        (1)        Generally. The construction which shall require a permit includes, but is not limited to:

  1. New 1 and 2 family and commercial buildings including agricultural buildings, detached structures, decks, residential accessory buildings and detached garages.
  2. Additions increasing the physical dimensions of a building including decks.
  3. Alterations to the building structure, cost shall include market labor value, or alterations to the building’s heating, electrical or plumbing systems.
  4. Replacement of major building equipment including furnaces and central air conditioners, water heaters and any other major piece of equipment shall require a permit as noted in the Town of Hartford Zoning Ordinance.
  5. Any electrical wiring for new construction or remodeling excluding new wiring for existing industrial and manufacturing facilities that do not require State mandated building plan review.
  6. Any HVAC for new construction or remodeling.
  7. Any plumbing for new construction or remodeling.
  8. Any new or re-wired electrical service, including services for agricultural buildings.

Section 2 Adoption of State Codes. The following Chapters of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, as well as all subsequent revisions, are adopted by the Town of Hartford and shall be enforced by the Building Inspector.

 

a.

Ch. SPS 302.31

Plan Review Fee Schedule

 

 

b.

Ch. SPS 305

Credentials

 

 

c.

Ch. SPS 316

Electrical Code

 

 

d.

Ch. SPS 320-325

Uniform Dwelling Code

 

e.

Ch. SPS 327

Campgrounds

f.

Ch. SPS 361-366

Commercial Building Code

g.

Ch. SPS 375-379

Buildings Constructed Prior to 1914

h.

Ch. SPS 381-387

Uniform Plumbing Code
             

Section 3 Certified Municipality Status. The Town of Hartford has adopted the Certified Municipality Status as described in SPS 361.60 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

  1. Responsibilities. The Town shall assume the following responsibilities for the Department of Safety and Professional Services:
  2. Provide inspection of commercial buildings with certified commercial building inspectors.

2, Provide plan examination of commercial buildings with certified commercial building inspectors.

  1. Plan Examination. Drawings, specifications and calculations for all types of buildings and structures except state-owned buildings and structures to be constructed within the limits of the Town shall be submitted if the plans are for any of the following:
    1. Provide inspection of commercial buildings with certified commercial building inspectors.
    2. A new building or structure containing less than 50,000 cubic feet of total volume.
    3. An addition to a building or structure where the area of the addition results in the entire building or structure containing less than 50,000 cubic feet of total volume.
    4. An addition containing no more than 2,500 square feet of total floor area and no more than one floor level provided the largest roof span does not exceed 18 feet and the exterior wall does not exceed 12 feet.
    5. An alteration of a space involving less than 100,000 cubic feet of total volume.
    6. A certified municipality may waive its jurisdiction for the plan review of a specific project or types of projects or components thereof in which case plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Department of review for approval.
    7. The Department may waive its jurisdiction for the plan review of a specific project where agreed to by a certified municipality in which case plans and specifications shall be submitted to the certified municipality for review and approval.
    8. Plan Submission Procedures. All commercial buildings, structures and alterations including new buildings and additions less than 25,000 cubic feet require plan submission as follows:
    9. Building permits application.
    10. Application for review — SBD-118, or equivalent.
    11. Fees per Table SPS 302.31-2 and SPS 302.31. ii. Fees applying to commercial projects.
    12. Four sets of plans.
    13. Signed and sealed per SPS 361.31 ii. One set of specifications. iii. Component and system plans.
    14. Calculations showing code compliance.

Section 4          Building — HVAC- Electrical- Plumbing Inspector

  1. Creation and Appointment. There is hereby created the office of Building Inspector. The Building Inspector shall be appointed by the Town. The Building Inspector shall be certified for inspection purposes by the Department in the required categories specific under SPS 305, Wisconsin Administrative Code.
  2. The Building Inspector may employ, assign or appoint as necessary assistant inspectors. Any assistant hired to inspect buildings shall be certified as defined in SPS 305, Wisconsin Administrative Code by the Department.
  3. The Building Inspector shall administer and enforce all provisions of this ordinance and the zoning code.
  4. The Building Inspector or an authorized certified agent of the Building Inspector may, at all reasonable hours, enter any public or private premises for required inspection purposes, The Building Inspector may require the production of the permit for any building, electrical, plumbing or HVAC work, No person shall interfere with or refuse to permit access to any such premises to the Inspector or agent of the Inspector while in the performance of the duties herein, In the event that the Inspector is refused access to any such premises, the Inspector is authorized to apply for a special inspection warrant pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes Sec. 66.0119.

Section 5           Violations and Penalties.

  1. No person, entity, or firm may construct, remodel, demolish, or repair any building in a manner that violates any provision of this ordinance or the zoning code.
  2. Every person, entity, or firm that violates this code shall, upon conviction, forfeit not less than $25.00 or more than $1,000 for each day of said non-compliance, together with the actual costs of prosecution.
  3. Violations discovered by the Building Inspector shall be corrected within 30 days, or more if allowed by the Inspector, after written notice is given. Violations involving life and health safety issues shall be corrected in a reasonable time frame as established by the Building Inspector.
  4. Compliance with the requirements of this ordinance is necessary to promote safety, health, and well-being of the community and the owners, occupants, and frequenters of buildings. Therefore, violations of this ordinance shall constitute a public nuisance that may be enjoined in a civil action or other legal action.

This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and posting as provided by law

Passed and Adopted by the Town of Hartford Board of Supervisors this 15th day of September 2025. Attestation:     

Ayes 3     Noes 0    Absent 0

Date Published/Posted: September 15th, 2025 (within 30 days of passed and adoption)

Attest:

Pam Beine, Town Clerk

Town of Hartford