Chapter 101

101.654(1)(a) (a) Subject to par. (b), no person may obtain a building permit unless the person annually obtains from the department a certificate of financial responsibility showing that the person is in compliance with sub. (2), completes the continuing education requirements described under sub. (1m), and furnishes to the issuer of the permit proof of completion of those continuing education requirements.

101.654(1)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to an owner of a dwelling who resides or will reside in the dwelling and who applies for a building permit to perform work on that dwelling.

101.654(1)(c) (c)

101.654(1)(c)1. 1. In this paragraph, “license” means an occupational license, as defined in s. 101.02 (1) (a) 2.

101.654(1)(c)2. 2. The continuing education requirements under par. (a) and the rules promulgated by the department under sub. (1m) do not apply to any person who holds a current license issued by the department at the time that the person obtains a building permit if the work the person does under the permit is work for which the person is licensed.

101.654(1m) (1m) 

101.654(1m)(a) (a) The department shall promulgate rules establishing continuing education requirements for persons seeking to obtain a building permit under sub. (1) (a).

101.654(1m)(b) (b) The rules promulgated under this subsection shall require all of the following:

101.654(1m)(b)1. 1. Completion every 2 years of at least 12 hours of continuing education relevant to the professional area of expertise of the person seeking to obtain a building permit, approved by the department. The hours of continuing education required under this subdivision shall include a total of at least 4 hours of continuing education on construction laws and codes and contracts, liability, and risk management every 2 years.

101.654(1m)(b)2. 2. Attendance at one or more professional meetings or educational seminars designed for both building contractors and building inspectors.

101.654(1m)(b)3. 3. For a person who does not hold a certificate of financial responsibility on April 11, 2006, successful completion of an examination developed by the department on the continuing education courses required under this subsection.

101.654(1m)(c) (c) The rules promulgated under this subsection may not require a person who holds a certificate of financial responsibility on April 11, 2006, to take an examination on the continuing education courses required under this subsection.

101.654(1m)(cm) (cm) The rules promulgated under this subsection may not require a person to take continuing education courses, or to take an examination on continuing education courses, that are not relevant to that person’s professional area of expertise.

101.654(1m)(d) (d) Subject to the continuing education requirements under pars. (b) and (c), the rules promulgated under par. (a) may specify different continuing education course requirements for persons who hold a certificate of financial responsibility on April 11, 2006, and for persons who do not hold a certificate of financial responsibility on April 11, 2006.

101.654(1m)(e) (e) The department may approve continuing education courses that are offered by other states.

101.654(1m)(f) (f) A provider of a continuing education course approved by the department under this subsection shall do all of the following:

101.654(1m)(f)1. 1. Submit to the department test questions related to the course.

101.654(1m)(f)2. 2. After each occasion that a person completes the course over the Internet, submit to the department verification that the person completed the course and any test related to the course.

101.654(2) (2) An applicant for a certificate of financial responsibility shall provide to the satisfaction of the department proof of all of the following:

101.654(2)(a) (a) That the applicant has in force one of the following:

101.654(2)(a)1. 1. A bond endorsed by a surety company authorized to do business in this state of not less than $5,000, conditioned upon the applicant complying with all applicable provisions of the one- and 2-family dwelling code and any ordinance enacted under s. 101.65 (1) (a).

101.654(2)(a)2. 2. A policy of general liability insurance insuring the applicant in the amount of at least $250,000 per occurrence because of bodily injury to or death of others or because of damage to the property of others and issued by one of the following:

101.654(2)(a)2.a. a. An insurer authorized to do business in this state.

101.654(2)(a)2.b. b. An insurer that is eligible to provide insurance as a surplus lines insurer in one or more states.

101.654(2)(b) (b) If the applicant is required under s. 102.28 (2) (a) to have in force a policy of worker’s compensation insurance or if the applicant is self-insured in accordance with s. 102.28 (2) (b) or (bm), that the applicant has in force a policy of worker’s compensation insurance issued by an insurer authorized to do business in this state or is self-insured in accordance with s. 102.28 (2) (b) or (bm).

101.654(2)(c) (c) If the applicant is required to make state unemployment insurance contributions under ch. 108 or is required to pay federal unemployment compensation taxes under 26 USC 3301 to 3311, that the applicant is making those contributions or paying those taxes as required.

101.654(2m) (2m) If an applicant wishes to use a bond under sub. (2) (a) 1. of less than $25,000 to comply with sub. (2) (a), the applicant shall agree not to perform any work on a dwelling for which the estimated cost of completion is greater than the amount of the bond. The department shall indicate any restriction under this subsection on the certificate of financial responsibility issued under sub. (3).

101.654(3) (3) 

101.654(3)(a) (a) Upon receipt of all of the following, the department shall issue to the applicant a certificate of financial responsibility:

101.654(3)(a)1. 1. The proof required under sub. (2).

101.654(3)(a)2. 2. The fee required by rules promulgated under s. 101.63 (2m).

101.654(3)(a)3. 3. Proof of completing at least 12 hours in an educational course approved by the department that satisfies all of the following:

101.654(3)(a)3.a. a. The educational course consists of in-person or online instruction.

101.654(3)(a)3.b. b. The provider of the educational course requires the applicant to show photo identification to register attendance for the course.

101.654(3)(a)3.c. c. The educational course includes instruction on accounting, lien law, ethics, and best business practices.

101.654(3)(b) (b) A certificate of financial responsibility issued under this subsection is valid for one year after the date of issuance, unless sooner suspended or revoked.

101.654(4) (4) 

101.654(4)(a) (a) A bond or insurance policy required under sub. (2) may not be canceled by the person insured under the bond or policy or by the surety company or insurer except on 30 days’ prior written notice served on the department in person or by 1st class mail or, if the cancellation is for nonpayment of premiums to the insurer, on 10 days’ prior written notice served on the department in person or by 1st class mail. The person insured under the bond or policy shall file with the department proof to the satisfaction of the department of a replacement bond or replacement insurance within the 30-day notice period or 10-day notice period, whichever is applicable, and before the expiration of the bond or policy. The department shall suspend without prior notice or hearing the certificate of financial responsibility of a person who does not file satisfactory proof of a replacement bond or replacement insurance as required by this subsection.

101.654(4)(b) (b) A bond under sub. (2) (a) 1. shall be executed in the name of the state for the benefit of any person who sustains a loss as a result of the person insured under the bond not complying with an applicable provision of the one- and 2-family dwelling code or any ordinance enacted under s. 101.65 (1) (a), except that the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons may not exceed the amount of the bond.

101.654(5) (5) The department may revoke or suspend a certificate of financial responsibility if any of the following apply:

101.654(5)(a) (a) The holder fails to comply with the continuing education requirements specified under subs. (1) and (1m).

101.654(5)(b) (b) The holder engages in the construction of a dwelling without a permit required under this chapter.

101.654(5)(c) (c) The holder is convicted of a crime related to the construction of a dwelling.

101.654(5)(d) (d) The holder has been adjudged bankrupt on 2 or more occasions.

101.654 History History: 1993 a. 126; 1995 a. 392; 1997 a. 39; 2005 a. 200; 2007 a. 14; 2009 a. 276; 2015 a. 55, 180; 2017 a. 16, 331; 2021 a. 237.

101.654 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. SPS 305.31 and 305.315, Wis. adm. code.

101.654 Annotation A particular municipal licensure requirement may be preempted if that requirement logically conflicts with, defeats the purpose of, or violates the spirit of state contractor financial responsibility and continuing education requirements. Ordinances requiring local licensure are preempted if they impose on persons seeking a building permit for one- or two-family dwellings greater financial responsibility, education, or examination requirements than required by state law. OAG 6-10.

101.66 101.66 Compliance and penalties.

101.66(1) (1) Except as provided in subs. (1m) and (1r), every builder, designer, and owner shall use building materials, methods, and equipment which are in conformance with the one- and 2-family dwelling code.

101.66(1m) (1m) 

101.66(1m)(a) (a) No person may use in a one- or 2-family dwelling load-bearing dimension lumber that has not been tested and approved for conformance as required by the department unless the lumber is approved for use under par. (c) and one of the following applies:

101.66(1m)(a)1. 1. The lumber has been milled at the request of the person owning the lumber for use in the construction of the dwelling, and the dwelling will be inhabited by the person owning the lumber.

101.66(1m)(a)2. 2. The person milling the lumber sells the lumber directly to a person who will inhabit the dwelling or to a person acting on his or her behalf and for whom a building permit has been issued for the dwelling.

101.66(1m)(b) (b) The lumber shall be milled so that it meets or exceeds the requirements of the one- and 2-family dwelling code. The person milling the lumber shall provide to the person receiving the lumber a written certification that the lumber meets or exceeds these requirements. The department shall design and provide forms for this purpose.

101.66(1m)(bn) (bn) A person may not provide a written certification under par. (b) unless the person has been issued a certificate of accomplishment evidencing certification or recertification under the lumber grading training program under s. 36.25 (48) and the person has received the certificate within the 5 years before providing the written certification. The person shall attach to the written certification a copy of his or her certificate of accomplishment.

101.66(1m)(c) (c) Upon receipt of a copy of the certification required under par. (b) an inspector who is certified under sub. (2) may either authorize the use of the lumber, reject the use of the lumber, or authorize its use subject to more restrictive construction requirements, including requirements as to size, spacing, length of spans, and design.

101.66(1r) (1r) A builder, designer, or owner is not required to comply with those requirements of the one- and 2-family dwelling code for which a waiver is issued under s. 101.648.

101.66(2) (2) All inspections shall be by persons certified by the department.

101.66(3) (3) Whoever violates this subchapter shall forfeit to the state not less than $25 nor more than $500 for each violation. Each day that such violation continues constitutes a separate offense.

101.66 History History: 1975 c. 404; 2007 a. 208; 2009 a. 180; 2015 a. 55.

101.66 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. SPS 305.63, Wis. adm. code.

subch. III of ch. 101 SUBCHAPTER III

MODULAR HOME CODE

101.70 101.70 Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to establish statewide standards and inspection procedures for the manufacture and installation of modular homes and to promote interstate uniformity in standards for modular homes by authorizing the department to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states that have equivalent standards.

101.70 History History: 1975 c. 405; 2007 a. 11.

101.70 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. SPS 305.327 and chs. SPS 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, and 325, Wis. adm. code.

101.71 101.71 Definitions. In this subchapter:

101.71(1) (1) “Closed construction” means any building, building component, assembly or system manufactured in such a manner that it cannot be inspected before installation at the building site without disassembly, damage or destruction.

101.71(2) (2) “Dwelling” means any building that contains one or more dwelling units. “Dwelling unit” means a structure or that part of a structure which is used or intended to be used as a home, residence or sleeping place by one person or by 2 or more persons maintaining a common household, to the exclusion of all others.

101.71(3) (3) “Insignia” means a device or seal approved by the department to certify compliance with this subchapter.

101.71(4) (4) “Installation” means the assembly of a modular home on-site and the process of affixing a modular home to land, a foundation, footing, or an existing building.

101.71(5) (5) “Manufacture” means the process of making, fabricating, constructing, forming or assembling a product from raw, unfinished, semifinished or finished materials.

101.71(6) (6) 

101.71(6)(a) (a) “Modular home” means any structure or component thereof which is intended for use as a dwelling and:

101.71(6)(a)1. 1. Is of closed construction and fabricated or assembled on-site or off-site in manufacturing facilities for installation, connection, or assembly and installation, at the building site; or

101.71(6)(a)2. 2. Is a building of open construction which is made or assembled in manufacturing facilities away from the building site for installation, connection, or assembly and installation, on the building site and for which certification is sought by the manufacturer.

101.71(6)(b) (b) “Modular home” does not mean any manufactured home under s. 101.91 or any building of open construction which is not subject to par. (a) 2.

101.71(7) (7) “Open construction” means any building, building component, assembly or system manufactured in such a manner that it can be readily inspected at the building site without disassembly, damage or destruction.

101.71 History History: 1975 c. 405; 1979 c. 89; 1983 a. 27, 189; 1989 a. 109; 1999 a. 53; 2007 a. 11.

101.715 101.715 Application. This subchapter applies to a dwelling the initial construction of which was commenced on or after December 1, 1978, except that s. 101.745 applies to a modular home the initial manufacture of which was commenced on or after May 23, 1978.

101.715 History History: 1989 a. 109; 2007 a. 11.

101.72 101.72 Uniform dwelling code council. The uniform dwelling code council shall review the standards and rules for modular homes for dwellings and recommend a statewide modular home code for adoption by the department which shall include rules providing for the conservation of energy in the construction and maintenance of dwellings. Such rules shall take into account the costs to home buyers of specific code provisions in relation to the benefits derived therefrom. Upon its own initiative or at the request of the department, the council shall consider and make recommendations to the department pertaining to rules and any other matters related to this subchapter.

101.72 History History: 1975 c. 405; 2007 a. 11; 2015 a. 29.

101.73 101.73 Departmental duties. The department shall:

101.73(1) (1) Adopt rules which establish standards for the use of building materials, methods and equipment in the manufacture and installation of modular homes for use as dwellings or dwelling units. Where feasible, the standards used shall be those nationally recognized and shall apply to the dwelling and to its electrical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other systems. Such rules shall take into account the conservation of energy in construction and maintenance of dwellings and the costs to home buyers of specific code provisions in relation to the benefits derived therefrom.

101.73(2) (2) Adopt rules for the examination of plans and specifications and for periodic in-plant and on-site inspections of manufacturing facilities, processes, fabrication, assembly and installation of modular homes to ensure that examinations and inspections are made in compliance with the rules adopted for construction, electrical wiring, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other systems under ss. 101.70 to 101.77 and with the rules for indoor plumbing adopted by the department under ch. 145.

101.73(3) (3) Provide for examination of plans and specifications and in-plant inspections when contracted for by the manufacturer under s. 101.75 (1) and shall contract to provide on-site inspection services for the installation of modular homes for dwellings, at municipal expense, for any municipality which requires such service under s. 101.76 or 101.761.

101.73(5) (5) Adopt rules for the certification, including provisions for suspension and revocation thereof, of on-site inspectors of the installation of modular homes for dwellings. Persons certified as on-site inspectors may be employees of the department, a city, village, town or county or an independent agency.

101.73(6) (6) Adopt rules for the certification, including provisions for suspension and revocation thereof, of independent inspection agencies to conduct in-plant inspections of manufacturing facilities, processes, fabrication and assembly of modular homes for dwellings and to certify compliance with this subchapter.