Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Brown County, Wisconsin

Installing fire alarm systems in Brown County, Wisconsin? Whether you're working on a commercial building in Green Bay, a healthcare facility in De Pere, or a multi-family property in Ashwaubenon, understanding the permitting process helps you deliver compliant installations and avoid project delays.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Permit?

Yes, for most commercial fire alarm work. The City of Green Bay is fully delegated for fire alarm plan review and requires permits for commercial installations. Wisconsin state law also requires plan review for systems with more than 20 devices. Additionally, alarm permits are required for monitored systems in both the City of Green Bay and Brown County towns.

City of Green Bay Fire Alarm Requirements

The City of Green Bay is fully delegated for fire alarm plan review, meaning they can approve plans locally without submitting to DSPS.

Plan Review Through E-Plan Exam

Green Bay partners with E-Plan Exam for commercial plan review. This private company is authorized to conduct plan reviews on behalf of Wisconsin DSPS and can review:

• Building plans
• HVAC plans
• Plumbing plans
• Fire Alarm plans
• Fire Sprinkler plans
• Structural Engineering plans

Processing time: Plan reviews completed within 15 business days of receiving all required paperwork and fees.

What Requires Plan Review?

• New fire alarm system installations in commercial buildings
• Alterations adding more than 20 devices to existing systems
• Buildings under 50,000 cubic feet still require City permit and plan review

What Does NOT Require Plan Submission?

• Alterations or additions of 20 or fewer devices to existing systems
• Device replacements that don't change system design
• Residential systems in single-family and two-family dwellings

A "device" includes: panels, power supplies, annunciators, horns, strobes, speakers, smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations, and door holders.

Alarm Permit Requirements

Separate from plan review, alarm permits are required for monitored fire alarm systems:

City of Green Bay Alarm Permits

For properties within city limits:

• Register at famspermit.com/GreenBay
• Phone: 1-877-874-8884
• Billing questions: (920) 448-3280

Brown County Alarm Permits (Towns)

For properties in Brown County towns, register with the County Clerk:

• Fee: $40.00 per alarm type
• Mail to: Brown County Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 23600, Green Bay, WI 54305-3600
• Separate application required for each alarm type

Applicable towns: Eaton, Glenmore, Green Bay, Holland, Humboldt, Lawrence, Ledgeview, Morrison, New Denmark, Pittsfield, Rockland, Scott, and Wrightstown.

Do You Need a Contractor License?

Wisconsin does not require a specific fire alarm contractor license. Unlike fire sprinkler systems (which require licensed contractors), fire alarm installation has no state credentialing requirement.

However, plan submittals require a supervising professional signature from:

• Wisconsin registered Architect
• Wisconsin Professional Engineer
• Wisconsin Designer of Engineering Systems (Electrical)

For details on Wisconsin's low voltage framework, see our Wisconsin Low Voltage License Guide.

Plan Submission Options

Option 1: E-Plan Exam (Recommended for Green Bay)

Submit digitally through E-Plan Exam. Benefits include:

• 15-business-day turnaround
• Digital submission and tracking
• Approved by Wisconsin DSPS

Option 2: DSPS Direct

Submit through the eSLA Portal at esla.wi.gov for state review.

Fees and Timeline

Service	Fee	Processing Time
Green Bay Plan Review (E-Plan Exam)	Varies by project	15 business days
City of Green Bay Alarm Permit	Contact for current fee	Online processing
Brown County Alarm Permit	$40.00	Mail processing
Small projects (≤20 devices)	May be exempt from plan review	Verify with AHJ

Fire Inspections in Brown County

The fire department inspects buildings to ensure compliance with Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Codes. Key points:

• Most commercial buildings inspected twice annually
• Inspections performed by firefighters and fire prevention officers
• Inspectors have training in fire detection, alarm systems, and suppression
• Focus on hazards and code compliance

Residential vs Commercial Requirements

Residential Projects

Single-family and two-family dwellings are exempt from state plan review. However:

• Smoke alarms must comply with Wisconsin building codes
• Multi-family buildings (3+ units) require full permit process
• Carbon monoxide alarms required per city requirements

Commercial Projects

Commercial fire alarm systems require:

• Plan review (through E-Plan Exam or DSPS)
• City of Green Bay building permit
• Alarm permit for monitored systems
• Monitoring by UL-listed central station
• Annual inspection and testing documentation

Other Brown County Municipalities

Requirements vary by municipality:

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

Pro Tips for Brown County Contractors

• Use E-Plan Exam: Green Bay's partnership speeds approvals to 15 days
• Track device counts: Stay under 20 devices to avoid state review when possible
• Register alarms: Ensure clients register with city or county for monitored systems
• Partner with engineers: Build relationships with licensed professionals for plan signing
• Document everything: Keep as-built drawings and testing records

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting installation before plan approval
• Forgetting alarm registration for monitored systems
• Not having a supervising professional for plan submittals
• Underestimating device counts toward the 20-device threshold
• Assuming residential exemption applies to multi-family buildings

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when fire alarm 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 Inspection Department: (920) 448-3300 | Building Permits & Inspections
• City of Green Bay Alarm Permits: famspermit.com/GreenBay
• Brown County Clerk (Alarm Permits): Emergency Alarm Permit
• E-Plan Exam: Submit a Project
• Wisconsin DSPS: Fire Alarm Submittal Guidelines

Related Permit Guides for Brown County

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

• Security Camera Permits in Brown County
• Access Control Permits in Brown County
• Structured Cabling Permits in Brown County

Summary

Fire alarm work in Brown County requires understanding both plan review and alarm permit requirements. The City of Green Bay's full delegation status and partnership with E-Plan Exam streamlines approvals to 15 business days. For systems with more than 20 devices, plan review is required regardless of location. While Wisconsin doesn't require a fire alarm contractor license, plan submittals need a supervising professional's signature. Don't forget to register monitored systems with the appropriate alarm permit authority.