Getting Started

The Building Division of the Department of City Development administers city and state Building Codes and the City of Racine Zoning Ordinance. The services the Building Division provides assure the public that the properties, buildings and other structures they occupy are compliant with building and safety codes, accessible and being occupied legally in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance.

The Building Division is often involved on the front end in helping business owners occupy new locations or assisting existing businesses with expansions or remodeling of their properties. Once a business owner contacts the Building Division, an inspector will review the proposal in order to determine a course of action regarding what types of information will be required. Building plans are often required to be submitted, but sometimes they are not, depending on the scope of the project. It is always recommended to contact the Building Division prior to purchasing materials or beginning any construction activities.

Occupancy Certificates must be obtained for all new businesses, changes of ownership, or business agent changes prior to occupying a building or property. An application is submitted, and once the inspector reviews the application and enters all necessary information into the computer system, an inspection will be scheduled for the building, electrical, plumbing and fire inspectors to walk through the building. If code violations are found, the violations must be corrected prior to the Certificate of Occupancy being issued to the applicant. Inspections are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Certificates of Occupancy can be issued for a permanent occupancy, a six-month occupancy, or for “pop-ups” of up to three months in duration.

As an additional service, the Building Division also performs courtesy inspections to determine if a building is able to be occupied in its current condition or if work needs to be done. Appointments can be scheduled for a walk-through of the building with inspections staff.