Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a roofer in Madison, WI. Fees, renewal cycles, and agency contacts.
Required for all LLCs formed in Wisconsin. Annual report required separately (see below).
Applies to all Wisconsin LLCs; maintains good standing.
Valid for 5 years; renewal required. Not required if using exact LLC name.
All employers must register, even if obtaining workers' compensation insurance separately.
Required for ALL contractors (including roofers) bidding or contracting over $3,000 per job. Certification proves financial responsibility.
Most roofers need this for selling supplies/materials. File returns monthly/quarterly based on volume.
Required if business has employees.
Quarterly wage reports required.
Roofing contractors in Wisconsin must collect and remit sales tax on both materials and labor. Registration is required through the Wisconsin Taxpayer Access Point (TAP).
Wisconsin does not impose a corporate income tax on LLCs (pass-through entities), but the LLC must register if it has tax obligations such as withholding or sales tax. Individual members report income on personal returns.
Required for all employers in Wisconsin. Employers must withhold state income tax from employee wages and file periodic returns (Form WT-9). Registration is done via the Wisconsin Taxpayer Access Point (TAP).
All employers in Wisconsin must register with the DWD and pay unemployment insurance (UI) taxes on the first $9,500 of each employee’s wages (as of 2024). New employers are assigned a standard rate of 3.05% until experience-rated.
Wisconsin does not impose a franchise tax or gross receipts tax on LLCs. LLCs are pass-through entities and do not pay entity-level income tax. Members report income on personal returns.
No industry-specific excise taxes (e.g., fuel, tourism, or food tax) apply to roofing contractors in Wisconsin. Roofing is not subject to special state-level excise taxes.
Some Wisconsin cities (e.g., Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay) impose a local business tax or privilege license fee on contractors. Roofers must check with the city clerk or treasurer’s office in their jurisdiction. For example, Milwaukee requires a Business Tax Registration (https://city.milwaukee.gov/BusinessTaxRegistration).
Roofers classified under construction trades; specific roofing endorsement may apply. Check with County Clerk for exact fee.
Requires proof of state DWCF registration, liability insurance ($500K min), and 4 years experience. Ordinance 295-701.
Roofing businesses typically require C2 or industrial zoning; home occupation permit limited to no on-site storage.
Required for any interior build-out or yard expansion for equipment storage. Ordinance 200-25.
Required posters include Minimum Wage, Unemployment Insurance, Workers’ Compensation, and Anti‑Discrimination.
Includes copies of filed returns, supporting documents, payroll records, and expense receipts.
Wall signs max 20% of wall area in commercial zones. Chapter 295-302.
Required if exceeding exemption thresholds (e.g., 10 gal flammable liquids). NFPA 1 compliance.
Registration required to avoid excessive false alarm fees. Ordinance 87-18.
Simple registration; no license for roofers but required for bidding on county work.
Must hold state DWCF; proof of insurance. Not a full license but mandatory for trade work.
Construction yards often require special exception in AG or B-1 zones. Ch. 55 WCA.
Sole proprietors with no employees are exempt from the workers’ comp requirement. Coverage must also be maintained for any subcontractors who are treated as employees under the law.
Minimum coverage is $100,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage. Some municipalities may impose higher limits.
The bond protects consumers against contractor non‑performance or fraud. The bond amount is $10,000 for all home‑improvement contractors, including roofers.
Minimum liability limits are set by Wisconsin law; higher limits are often required by clients or lenders.
While Wisconsin does not require general liability insurance for roofers, most contracts and local building permits stipulate coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence.
Generally not required for contractors who do not provide design or consulting services.
Often bundled with general liability policies; some manufacturers require contractors to carry product liability coverage.
Only required for businesses that sell or serve alcoholic beverages; not relevant to roofing contractors.
Apply online, by fax, mail, or phone. Required for filing federal taxes, hiring employees, and opening a business bank account.
LLCs are pass‑through entities by default and must file Form 1065 (partnership) or Form 1120 (corporation) if elected. Each member reports income on Schedule K‑1.
Key standards for fall protection, scaffolding, ladders, personal protective equipment, and hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos). Employers must keep OSHA 300 logs if >10 employees and >5% of payroll is for construction.
DWD may request records during audits or investigations.
Wisconsin law requires workers’ compensation insurance for employees; general liability is not statutory but is industry‑standard.
Permit and inspection requirements vary by municipality; check the specific city or county where work is performed.
Check local fire code for specific requirements.
Roofing contractors typically meet the construction payroll threshold; therefore most will need to maintain the OSHA 300 Log.
Roofing businesses must ensure hiring practices, workplace modifications, and customer service areas are accessible. Failure to provide reasonable accommodations can trigger complaints.
All workers and supervisors must be EPA‑certified. Records of training and work practices must be retained for 3 years.
The permit requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and regular monitoring reports.
All advertising, price quotes, and promotional materials for roofing services must be truthful and not misleading. Claims about warranties, energy savings, or certifications must be substantiated.
Roofing contractors must pay at least the federal minimum wage and overtime (time‑and‑a‑half) for hours over 40 per week unless an exemption applies.
Electronic completion is permitted if the system meets USCIS requirements.
Most small roofing LLCs will not meet the employee threshold, but the requirement is noted for completeness.
If only using personal vehicles under the threshold, no USDOT number is required.
Most modern roofing materials are asbestos‑free, but contractors must verify material composition.
All Wisconsin LLCs must file an annual report with DFI. The filing can be completed online. The due quarter is the same quarter in which the LLC was originally formed.
Roofing contractors in Wisconsin are classified as Specialty Contractors and must hold a Construction Supervisor license. Renewal is required every two years.
Two (2) hours of approved continuing education are required each renewal cycle.
If average monthly taxable sales are $10,000 or less, quarterly filing is permitted; otherwise monthly filing is required.
Quarterly electronic filing is required via the Wisconsin Taxpayer Access Point (TAP).
Reports are filed electronically through UI Online.
Annual report is submitted electronically via the WC Online portal.
Electronic posting is permitted if the employer is required to keep a log.
Includes Minimum Wage, Equal Pay, Family & Medical Leave, etc.
Primarily, you’ll interact with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax obligations and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for advertising and consumer protection compliance. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) confirms no federal license is required, but you still need to meet other federal requirements.
Fees vary depending on the specific requirement and your business structure; IRS tax filings and EIN registration may have associated costs, while some FTC compliance and SBA confirmations are free. The IRS fee for self-employment tax obligations for LLCs can vary.
FTC compliance involves adhering to the FTC Act, the Business Opportunity Rule, and advertising standards, ensuring fair and truthful business practices. This includes clear contracts and honest representations of services.
The IRS requires you to retain records that support your income tax return for at least three years from when you filed it, or two years from when you paid the tax, whichever is later. It’s best practice to keep records for longer, potentially six years.
An EIN is required if you operate as a corporation or partnership, or if you hire employees. Even sole proprietors may need an EIN in certain circumstances, such as opening a business bank account or filing certain tax forms.
Permit Finder asks follow-up questions to give you an exact list of permits.
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