Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Green Bay, WI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Wisconsin Department of Revenue - Seller's Permit

   Required of every individual, partnership, corporation or other organization with a Wisconsin sales location making retail sales of taxable products or taxable services, with limited exceptions for wholesalers, manufacturers and certain marketplace sellers. The permit is issued through Business Tax Registration, which also covers withholding and use tax accounts. Rates: 5% state; seventy counties add 0.5%; Milwaukee County is 0.9% and the City of Milwaukee adds 2%, both effective January 1, 2024, so the rate inside Milwaukee is 7.9% - the only Wisconsin city with a municipal sales tax.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration fee, then $10 to renew every two years - it is not free. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit. DOR can additionally require a security deposit of up to $15,000 in some cases, returned after 24 consecutive months of compliance.·Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration fee, then $10 to renew every two years - it is not free. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit. DOR can additionally require a security deposit of up to $15,000 in some cases, returned after 24 consecutive months of compliance.

   Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

1. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Electrical Contractor License

   Electrical contractors in Wisconsin must hold an Electrical Contractor credential from DSPS - a business-entity credential - and must employ or be a licensed Master Electrician (who has passed the state exam) responsible for the work performed.

   Official government source

   $200 Electrical Contractor credential fee, renewing every 4 years on June 30 ($200 reinstatement fee) - DSPS Trades Renewal Dates and Fees.·Not published by DSPS - initial applications are filed at license.wi.gov.

   $200 Electrical Contractor credential fee, renewing every 4 years on June 30 ($200 reinstatement fee) - DSPS Trades Renewal Dates and Fees.

   Not published by DSPS - initial applications are filed at license.wi.gov.

2. City of Green Bay Office of the City Clerk — Business License

   Green Bay does not require a general/all-purpose business license. The City Clerk's office (Green Bay Municipal Code Ch. 10) licenses only specific regulated categories (e.g. Adult Entertainment, Alarm Business, Direct Seller/Solicitor, Entertainment Facility, Home-Based Businesses, Junk Collector, Massage Establishments, Mobile Food Vendor, Public Vehicle, Salvage, Secondhand Dealer, Tree & Brush Trimmer). Most business types listed here (barber shop, yoga studio, home bakery, daycare, handyman, cleaning service, photography, auto repair, electrical contractor, tutoring, nail salon, tattoo parlor, pet sitting, catering, personal trainer, hair salon, landscaping, plumbing) do NOT require a general city business license. Massage-therapy businesses need a specific Massage Establishment License, mobile-dog-grooming/pet-sitting need an Animal Establishment License, and food trucks need a Mobile Food Vendor License — each covered separately. Confirm with the City Clerk if unsure.

   Official government source

   no general license fee applies to most business types listed here·not applicable for most listed business types

   no general license fee applies to most business types listed here

   not applicable for most listed business types

3. City of Green Bay Electrical Permit (per project)

   Electrical permits are issued by the City of Green Bay's Building Inspection function within the Department of Community and Economic Development; Brown County has no role for work inside the city. A permit is pulled per project and a final inspection is required on completion. Work that fails is re-inspected at $75.00 (Fee Schedule Sec. 8-449).

   Official government source

   City of Green Bay 2026 Fee Schedule, Sec. 8-451. One- and two-family residential: general electrical system $0.05 per square foot; electrical service $50.00; air conditioning addition $75.00. Multi-family: $0.09 per square foot; initial electrical service $100.00 and $50.00 each additional; air conditioning addition $100.00. Commercial, educational, institutional and industrial: $0.05 per square foot for building group 1 or $0.09 for group 2, or by project cost - $100.00 for $0-$10,000; $240.00 for $10,001-$50,000; $310.00 for $50,001-$100,000; $400.00 for $100,001-$200,000; $500.00 for $200,001-$300,000; $600.00 above $300,000, plus $100.00 per additional $100,000. Internally or externally illuminated sign $100.00. Reinspection $75.00.·About one week once all required information is received, per the City's Building Permits & Inspections page.

   City of Green Bay 2026 Fee Schedule, Sec. 8-451. One- and two-family residential: general electrical system $0.05 per square foot; electrical service $50.00; air conditioning addition $75.00. Multi-family: $0.09 per square foot; initial electrical service $100.00 and $50.00 each additional; air conditioning addition $100.00. Commercial, educational, institutional and industrial: $0.05 per square foot for building group 1 or $0.09 for group 2, or by project cost - $100.00 for $0-$10,000; $240.00 for $10,001-$50,000; $310.00 for $50,001-$100,000; $400.00 for $100,001-$200,000; $500.00 for $200,001-$300,000; $600.00 above $300,000, plus $100.00 per additional $100,000. Internally or externally illuminated sign $100.00. Reinspection $75.00.

   About one week once all required information is received, per the City's Building Permits & Inspections page.

Official Sources

• Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Electrical Contractor License
• City of Green Bay Office of the City Clerk

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