What building code does Milwaukee, WI use?
Milwaukee, WI currently enforces the 2021 Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366, amended 2021 IBC per SPS 361.05(1)). Milwaukee enforces the state-adopted code. Milwaukee enforces the statewide Wisconsin codes (commercial SPS 361-366, 1-2-family UDC SPS 320-325) with local ordinance amendments (e.g., ch. 214 fire); the 2021 I-Code-based commercial update took effect Sept 1, 2025 (mandatory for plans submitted on/after Nov 1, 2025), while electrical remains on the 2017 NEC until the adopted 2023 NEC amendment (CR 26-016) takes effect Sept 1, 2026.
Adopted codes
| Scope | Code | Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Building | Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366, amended 2021 IBC per SPS 361.05(1)) (with local amendments) | 2021 |
| Residential | Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS 320-325, state-written; not IRC-based) | current SPS 320-325 |
| Fire | Wisconsin fire prevention code SPS 314 (NFPA 1) plus Milwaukee Code ch. 214 (adopts 2006 IFC as alternate model code under SPS 314.001(2)) (with local amendments) | 2012 (NFPA 1) |
| Mechanical | Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 364, amended 2021 IMC per SPS 361.05(3)) | 2021 |
| Plumbing | Wisconsin Plumbing Code (SPS 381-387, state-written; not IPC/UPC-based) | current SPS 381-387 |
| Electrical | Wisconsin Electrical Code (SPS 316, amended NEC/NFPA 70) | 2017 |
| Energy | Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (amended 2021 IECC per SPS 361.05(2)); dwellings use UDC ch. SPS 322 (state-written) | 2021 (commercial) |
| Other | Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (amended 2021 IEBC per SPS 361.05(5)) | 2021 |
Current adoptions effective 2025-09-01.
Permits: Milwaukee permitting office
Get this data as JSON
curl https://codes.submittal.app/api/v1/cities/milwaukee.jsonConfidence: high · Verified against official sources:
- https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/CommercialBuildings/Default.aspx
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/361_366/361/i/05
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_buildings_and_environment/301_319/316/i/007
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/ch.%20SPS%20314
- https://city.milwaukee.gov/DNS/permits
- https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-2/CH214.pdf
Part of the open building-codes dataset (CC BY 4.0). See also: Wisconsin statewide adoptions.