Plumbing 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 - Master Plumber License

   Plumbing contractors in Wisconsin must be licensed as Master Plumbers by DSPS. This requires at least 1,000 hours per year of experience as a licensed Wisconsin Journeyman Plumber for at least 3 years (or an approved engineering degree), and passing a state exam - not '5 years of apprenticeship.'

   Official government source

   $500 Master Plumber credential fee, renewing every 4 years on March 31 ($25 late CE fee, $200 reinstatement fee) - DSPS Trades Renewal Dates and Fees.·Not published by DSPS - initial applications are filed at license.wi.gov.

   $500 Master Plumber credential fee, renewing every 4 years on March 31 ($25 late CE fee, $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 Plumbing Permit (per project)

   Plumbing 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 job and inspections are required on completion. Plan review is separate and priced separately: a plumbing system plan review is $125.00, while submitting a plumbing plan fixture list is $0.00.

   Official government source

   Charged per fixture and per connection, not as a flat project fee (City of Green Bay 2026 Fee Schedule, Sec. 8-360). General plumbing: $7.00 per fixture for one- and two-family residential; $8.00 per fixture for multi-family and for commercial, educational, institutional and industrial. Water service connection $50.00; sanitary sewer connection $50.00; storm sewer connection $50.00 each. Fire suppression system $2.50 per head, $70.00 minimum, up to $200.00. Water heater replacement $50.00 (one- and two-family) or $100.00 (multi-family and commercial). Lawn sprinkler reduced-pressure valve $75.00 (one- and two-family) or $100.00 (others). Palmer valve $75.00; back water valve $50.00; sewer cap $100.00 (commercial). Private well operation permit $125.00 (Sec. 8-369).·About one week once all required information is received, per the City's Building Permits & Inspections page.

   Charged per fixture and per connection, not as a flat project fee (City of Green Bay 2026 Fee Schedule, Sec. 8-360). General plumbing: $7.00 per fixture for one- and two-family residential; $8.00 per fixture for multi-family and for commercial, educational, institutional and industrial. Water service connection $50.00; sanitary sewer connection $50.00; storm sewer connection $50.00 each. Fire suppression system $2.50 per head, $70.00 minimum, up to $200.00. Water heater replacement $50.00 (one- and two-family) or $100.00 (multi-family and commercial). Lawn sprinkler reduced-pressure valve $75.00 (one- and two-family) or $100.00 (others). Palmer valve $75.00; back water valve $50.00; sewer cap $100.00 (commercial). Private well operation permit $125.00 (Sec. 8-369).

   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 — Master Plumber License
• City of Green Bay Office of the City Clerk

Related Guides