Access Control Permit Requirements in Brown County, Wisconsin

Installing access control systems in Brown County, Wisconsin? Whether you're securing a commercial building in Green Bay, a healthcare facility in De Pere, or an office complex in Ashwaubenon, understanding permit requirements—especially for systems affecting fire egress—helps you deliver compliant installations.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Permit?

For most basic access control installations, no permit is required. Wisconsin exempts low voltage work (50 volts or less) from state electrical licensing and permitting. However, access control hardware affecting fire egress—such as delayed egress locks, electromagnetic locks on exit doors, and stairway locks—must comply with Wisconsin building and fire codes and may need local approval.

What Makes Access Control Work Exempt?

Under Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 316, low voltage systems operating at 50 volts or less fall outside standard electrical permitting requirements. Most access control components operate within this range:

• Card readers and keypads (typically 12V DC)
• Electric strikes and maglocks (12-24V DC)
• Door controllers and panels
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices
• Request-to-exit sensors and buttons

The exemption applies to the low voltage installation itself, not hardware affecting means of egress.

Wisconsin Fire Code Requirements for Egress Hardware

Access control on exit doors must comply with Wisconsin Building Code Chapter 10 (Means of Egress) and IBC 2015 adoption.

Delayed Egress Locking Systems

Under Wisconsin code, delayed egress locks are permitted with these requirements:

• Building protection required: Automatic sprinkler system OR approved automatic smoke/heat detection
• Prohibited occupancies: Group A (Assembly), Group E (Educational), and Group H (High Hazard)
• Maximum delay: 15 seconds with no more than 15 lbs force applied for 3 seconds
• Immediate unlock required upon:
  • Fire alarm activation
  • Sprinkler activation
  • Power loss (fail-safe)
• Fire command center: Must have capability to deactivate from fire command center
• One per egress path: No more than one delayed egress device per means of egress
• Signage required: Posted at door explaining how to exit
• Audible alarm and emergency lighting: Required in vicinity of door

General Egress Door Requirements

Per IBC 2015 Section 1010.1.9, egress doors shall be readily openable from the egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.

Electromagnetic Locks

• Must be fail-safe (release on power loss)
• Require request-to-exit devices for egress
• Must interface with fire alarm system for automatic release
• Cannot be sole means of egress without proper releases

City of Green Bay Permit Process

For projects within the City of Green Bay:

Building Permits

Building permits may be required when access control installation involves:

• Penetrating fire-rated walls or doors
• Modifying door frames or hardware on fire doors
• Installing new electrical circuits
• Structural modifications for turnstiles or vestibules

Contractor Requirements

To obtain a building permit in Green Bay, contractors must carry Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification and a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification from DSPS.

Resources

• Permit Guides, Forms & Fees
• Permitting Process

Do You Need a Contractor License?

Wisconsin does not require a specific low voltage or access control contractor license. You can legally install access control systems without a state-issued credential.

However, professional contractors should maintain:

• Business registration with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
• General liability insurance (required by most commercial clients)
• Local business licenses depending on the municipality

For more on Wisconsin's regulatory framework, see our Wisconsin Low Voltage License Guide.

Fees and Timeline

Permit Type	Typical Fee	Processing Time
Low Voltage Only (basic access control)	Usually exempt	N/A
Building Permit (if needed)	Varies by scope	Contact Green Bay
Electrical Permit (if line voltage)	Varies by municipality	1-3 business days

Residential vs Commercial Projects

Residential Installations

Home access control systems (smart locks, keypad entry, video intercoms) typically don't require permits when:

• Work is limited to low voltage wiring
• Not affecting required egress doors
• No modifications to fire-rated assemblies

Commercial Installations

Commercial projects have additional considerations:

• Integration with fire alarm systems (required for egress door releases)
• Compliance with ADA accessibility requirements
• Coordination with building management systems
• Certificate of insurance often required

ADA Compliance Considerations

Access control systems must comply with ADA requirements:

• Card reader mounting height: 48" maximum above floor
• Operating force: Door hardware must not require more than 5 lbs to operate
• Timing: Automatic doors must remain open long enough for passage
• Maneuvering clearance: Adequate space at controlled doors

Other Brown County Municipalities

Requirements vary by municipality:

• City of De Pere: Contact Building Inspection
• Village of Ashwaubenon: Contact Building Department
• Village of Howard: Contact Building Inspection
• Village of Bellevue: Contact Building Department

Pro Tips for Brown County Contractors

• Know the occupancy type: Delayed egress is prohibited in A, E, and H occupancies
• Coordinate with fire alarm contractors: Access control requires fire system integration on egress doors
• Document fire alarm interfaces: Keep records of relay connections and programming
• Test all release mechanisms: Verify fire alarm releases and fail-safe operation
• Use proper signage: Delayed egress requires posted instructions at each door
• Verify building protection: Delayed egress requires sprinklers or detection

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Installing delayed egress in buildings without sprinklers or detection
• Using fail-secure locks where fail-safe is required on egress doors
• Forgetting fire alarm integration requirements
• Not posting required signage at delayed egress doors
• Mounting readers above ADA-compliant heights
• Installing more than one delayed egress device per egress path
• Forgetting audible alarm and emergency lighting requirements

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when access control projects hit permits in Brown County before they reach bid boards?

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Wisconsin and alerts you to opportunities the moment they're filed.

→ Explore LVN Signal

Key Contacts

• City of Green Bay Permits: Permit Guides
• Green Bay Building Inspection: (920) 448-3300
• Brown County: Permits
• Wisconsin DSPS Building Codes: Means of Egress (Chapter 10)

Related Permit Guides for Brown County

Explore permit requirements for other low voltage project types in Brown County:

• Security Camera Permits in Brown County
• Fire Alarm Permits in Brown County
• Structured Cabling Permits in Brown County

Summary

For most access control installations in Brown County, Wisconsin, no permit is required because the work falls under the state's low voltage exemption. However, access control hardware affecting fire egress must comply with Wisconsin building and fire codes—requiring sprinkler or detection systems, fire alarm integration, fail-safe operation, proper signage, and audible alarms. Delayed egress is prohibited in assembly, educational, and high-hazard occupancies. Always coordinate with the local building department for projects involving egress doors.