Wisconsin building code
Wisconsin has adopted 2025 rule (Register August 2025 No. 836) Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) based on 2021 IBC. The table below lists the governing edition for every discipline a plan check touches, followed by the Wisconsin cities and counties that amend it locally.
- Current edition
- 2021 I-Codes commercial cycle (SPS 361-366, eff. 2025-09-01; plans submitted on/after 2025-11-01 must comply) + Wisconsin-written Uniform Dwelling Code for residential
- Prior edition
- 2015 I-Codes-based Commercial Building Code (2015 IBC/IECC/IMC/IFGC/IEBC with WI amendments)
- Code authority
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Division of Industry Services
Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2025-09-01 (new CBC effective); plans submitted before 2025-11-01 could still comply with the 2015-based CBC may still be reviewed under the 2015 I-Codes-based Commercial Building Code (2015 IBC/IECC/IMC/IFGC/IEBC with WI amendments).
Adopted code by discipline
| Discipline | Adopted code | Local amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Building | 2025 rule (Register August 2025 No. 836) Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) based on 2021 IBC | n/a |
| Residential | rolling Wisconsin Administrative Code text (no model edition year) Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC, SPS 320-325) | n/a |
| Existing buildings | 2025 rule (Register August 2025 No. 836) WI Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) - existing buildings based on 2021 IEBC | n/a |
| Fire | 2014 rule (Register August 2014 No. 704) Wisconsin Fire Prevention Code (SPS 314) based on NFPA 1, Fire Code - 2012 | n/a |
| Electrical | 2017 Wisconsin State Electrical Code Vol. 2 (SPS 316) based on 2017 NEC (NFPA 70) | n/a |
| Mechanical | 2025 rule (Register August 2025 No. 836) SPS 364 (WI Commercial Building Code - Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) based on 2021 IMC | n/a |
| Plumbing | rolling Wisconsin Administrative Code text (no model edition year) Wisconsin Uniform Plumbing Code (SPS 381-387) | n/a |
| Energy | commercial: 2025 rule; residential: UDC text aligned to 2009 IECC eff. 2016-01-01 SPS 363 (commercial energy, within WI Commercial Building Code) / UDC SPS 322 (residential energy) based on 2021 IECC (commercial); 2009 IECC-based state provisions (residential, UDC SPS 322) | n/a |
| Fuel Gas | 2025 rule (Register August 2025 No. 836) SPS 365 (WI Commercial Building Code - Fuel Gas Appliances) based on 2021 IFGC | n/a |
Overlays that can apply
Mapped hazard and district overlays stack on top of the adopted code. These are the overlays recorded for Wisconsin. They apply by parcel, not jurisdiction-wide, so confirm the parcel before assuming one is in play. Check CAL FIRE's fire hazard severity viewer and FEMA's flood map service.
- FEMA mapped flood hazard area
Sources
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20361.05
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/361_366
- https://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/Programs/CommercialBuildings/SPS362Insert.pdf
- https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/CommercialBuildings/Default.aspx
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/320_325
- https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/UDC/Default.aspx
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/381_387
- https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/Plumbing/Default.aspx
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/301_319/314
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20316.007
Common questions
What building code does Wisconsin use?
Wisconsin uses 2025 rule (Register August 2025 No. 836) Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) based on 2021 IBC. It is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Division of Industry Services. The prior edition was 2015 I-Codes-based Commercial Building Code (2015 IBC/IECC/IMC/IFGC/IEBC with WI amendments).
Do cities in Wisconsin amend the state code?
Local amendments are adopted by ordinance at the city or county level. Confirm with the building department that reviews your permit.
Which edition applies to a permit already in review in Wisconsin?
Projects with a complete application on or before 2025-09-01 (new CBC effective); plans submitted before 2025-11-01 could still comply with the 2015-based CBC may still be reviewed under the 2015 I-Codes-based Commercial Building Code (2015 IBC/IECC/IMC/IFGC/IEBC with WI amendments).
Check a plan set against Wisconsin code
Knowing the adopted edition is the easy half. Architechtura reads your drawings, resolves which of these provisions actually apply to the project, and returns the corrections a plan checker would write up, each one cited to the section it came from.
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Compiled from published state and municipal adoption ordinances. Local governments amend their codes on their own schedule, and a pending ordinance can change what applies to your permit. Confirm the governing edition with the building department before you submit. This page is reference information, not a code determination.