Wisconsin — Code Adoption Summary
Adoption model: Statewide-mandatory via the Dept. of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS), codified as SPS chapters (SPS 361–366 commercial; separate Uniform Dwelling Code for 1-2 family). Cross-reference SPS chapters to the underlying ICC edition.
Last verified: 2026-07-03
Confidence: verified (NEC edition — confirm; not explicit in state sources found)
Primary sources: WI DSPS — https://dsps.wi.gov · Wisconsin Legislature admin code — https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps
Statewide adopted codes — commercial (SPS 361–366)
| Code family | Adopted edition | WI chapter | Source |
|---|
| Building | 2021 IBC + WI amendments | SPS 362 | dsps.wi.gov |
| Energy | 2021 IECC + WI amendments | SPS 363 | " |
| Mechanical / HVAC | 2021 IMC + WI amendments | SPS 364 | " |
| Plumbing | Wisconsin Plumbing Code (its own code, chs. SPS 381–387; not straight IPC/UPC) | SPS 381-387 | " |
| Electrical (NEC) | Referenced within SPS 316 (electrical) — confirm current NEC edition (commonly cited as NEC 2020; verify) ⚠ | SPS 316 | dsps.wi.gov (verify) |
Residential (1–2 family) — separate framework
- Governed by the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), a Wisconsin-specific residential code (not a straight IRC adoption) — confirm current UDC edition and its electrical/energy cross-references separately from SPS 361-366.
Adoption model & precedence
- SPS chapters apply statewide; DSPS-certified municipalities enforce, otherwise the state does.
- AHJ = local building inspection dept (if certified) or DSPS.
Major cities / counties
| Jurisdiction | Notes | Building dept. |
|---|
| Milwaukee | SPS commercial code; own UDC-based residential enforcement | milwaukee.gov |
| Madison | SPS commercial code | cityofmadison.com |
| Green Bay | SPS commercial code | greenbaywi.gov |
AHJ fallback (when local adoption is unverified)
- State baseline (commercial): SPS 362/363/364 = 2021 IBC/IECC/IMC + WI amendments; Wisconsin Plumbing Code (SPS 381-387).
- Action: confirm the current NEC edition (SPS 316) and the UDC edition for residential — both need direct confirmation with DSPS as they weren't explicit in the sources checked.
Change log
- 2026-07-03 — created; verified SPS 362/363/364 = 2021 IBC/IECC/IMC; Wisconsin Plumbing Code is its own code (SPS 381-387); NEC edition and UDC flagged for direct DSPS confirmation.
