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City of Portage, WI

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Licenses & Permits

Related Documents

Fee Schedule, January 2023

New Housing Fee Report

2021 New Housing Fee Report

Building Permit Key Contact

Jason Doro
Building Inspector
115 West pleasant Street
Portage, WI 53901
(608)617-2039
inspectportage@generalengineering.net

Commercial Business Key Contact

Steven Sobiek
Director of Business Development and Planning
Enterprise Center
1800 Kutzke Road, Suite 102
Portage, WI 53901
608-617-7121
608-745-0038  ext. 113
Steven.Sobiek@Portagewi.gov

Licensing Key Contact

Marie A. Moe
City Clerk
Municipal Building
115 West pleasant Street
Portage, WI 53901
608-742-2176, Ext. 103
Marie.Moe@portagewi.gov

Rebecca Ness
City Deputy Clerk
Municipal Building
115 West pleasant Street
Portage, WI 53901
608-742-2176, Ext. 105
Rebecca.Ness@portagewi.gov

Alcohol

 

  • Operator License Application June 2022
  • Department of Revenue Alcohol Seller/Server approved programs
  • Alcohol Retail License Forms
  • Class A Application Supplemental Form 4/29/2021
  • Class B and C Application Supplemental Form 4/29/2021
  • Class A Liquor License Evaluation Guidelines
  • Class B Liquor License Evaluation Guideline
Amplifying Device

The use of loudspeakers or amplifying devices on the streets, in the parks, or on other public property of the city is prohibited unless the party desiring to use such loudspeaker or amplifying device first obtains a permit from the chief of police or obtains a special event permit per section 66-321.  Amplifying Device Permit Applications should be filed at City of Portage Police Department

Amplifying Device Permit Application

Building Permit

Building Permits - Are you making modifications, updating, building new, adding additions, accessory shed, garage or roofing? If so you need a permit. If you have general permit questions please call City Hall 608-742-2176 Public Works Department. If you specific questions about building permits or a large project you can call the building inspector, Jason Doro, at General Engineering 608-745-4070. You can fax completed permit applications to 608-742-8623, drop off the completed application at City Hall, or mail completed applications to City Hall:

City of Portage
Building Permits
115 W Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

To pay for a Building permit you can mail a check to City Hall at the address listed about, come to City Hall and pay when you pick up the permit, or click here for General Payment instructions to pay online or by phone.

General Building Permit Application

New Construction Building Permit Application

Burning Permits

Burning permits are required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in many parts of the state to conduct safe and legal outdoor burning. Regardless of burn location, anyone wishing to burn in the outdoors should contact local fire officials before burning to find out if permits or restrictions are in place. See current burning restrictions.

Burning permits can be obtained at the Fire Station (119 W. Pleasant Street) at the following times:
Monday through Friday:  8:00 – noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday:  8:00-noon

Current Burning Restrictions

 

BURN PERMIT 2021

Cat (Please See Dog & Cat)

Please see Dog & Cat category

Chicken

The City of Portage allows residents to keep up to 6 chickens in their rear yards upon issuance of a permit. Section 6-122 of City Ordinances outlines the requirements and conditions that residents must comply with in order to obtain and keep a permit allowing them to keep chickens.  To obtain a keeping of chickens permit fill out the form below. Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:
City Hall
Chickens Permit
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Application for Keeping of Chickens

Cigarette and Tobacco

To obtain a Cigarette and Tobacco license fill out the form below. Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Cigarette and Tobacco License
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Application for Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retail License

 

Cut/Remove Felled Trees Waiver

You must complete and file the form below with the City of Portage in order to cut and remove and felled trees in the city.  Drop off the completed form at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Cut/Remove Felled Trees Waiver of Liability
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Felled-Trees-Cut-Remove-Waiver-of-Liability

Dangerous Animal

To obtain a Dangerous Animal License fill out the form below.  Drop off the completed form, supporting documents, and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Dangerous Animal License
115 W. Pleasant St.
Portage, WI 53901

Dangerous Animal License Application 04.28.2020

Direct Seller

Direct seller means any individual who, for himself, or for a partnership, association or corporation, sells goods, or takes sales orders for the later delivery of goods, at any location other than the permanent business place or residence of said individual, partnership, association or corporation, and shall include, but not be limited to, peddlers, solicitors and transient merchants. The sale of goods includes donations required by the direct seller for the retention of goods by a donor or prospective customer.  If you are a Direct Seller you must fill out the the application below and submit it along with the fee to City Hall, 115 W. Pleasant St., Portage, WI 53901.

Direct Seller Ordinance

Direct Seller Application

 

Dog & Cat

Dog and Cat licenses expire on December 31st.   Licenses purchased after March 31st will be charged an additional $5 late fee per license.  A $ 5.00 late fee will be charged if the owner fails to obtain a license prior to April 1st of each year, within 30 days of acquiring ownership of a licensable animal or if the animal is more than 5 months of age.

Pet licenses can be obtained from at Portage City Hall (Municipal Building).  A current rabies certificate for your pet from your veterinarian is required to obtain a license.  To pay a reduced fee for a spayed or neutered pet you must provide one time proof of spay or neuter.   Once the pet is in the system as spayed/neutered you no longer need to provide proof of spay/neuter.

Pets are prohibited in all city parks, except the Fritz Port Dog Park in Veteran’s Memorial Field.  For more information about the dog park contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 608-742-2178 or click here for Fritz Port Dog Park web page.

City of Portage registered dogs are able to use the dog park with no additional fee, but must have license tag on dog while at park.  Non-City of Portage residents my obtain a dog park pass for $30.00.

It shall be unlawful for any owner, keeper or walker of any dog or cat to discharge such animal’s excreta upon any public or private property, other than on the owner’s own private property, within the city if such owner, keeper or walker does not immediately thereafter remove and clean such animal’s excreta from the public or private property.

All pets need to be leashed and under control.

Sec. 6-120. - Limitation on number of dogs or cats.

(a) Purpose. The keeping of a large number of dogs or cats within the city for a considerable period of time detracts from and, in many instances, is detrimental to, healthful and comfortable life in such areas. The keeping of a large number of dogs or cats is, therefore, declared a public nuisance.

(b) Number permitted per family or person. No family or person shall own, harbor or keep in its possession more than four dogs or cats on any residentially zoned lot without the prior approval of the common council except that a litter of pups or kittens or a portion of a litter may be kept for not more than eight weeks from birth. If more than one family or person resides on a residential lot, then only a total of four dogs or cats shall be allowed on a residential lot. For the purposes of this section, the term "family" shall be defined as one or more persons.

To obtain a Dog or Cat license please print the form below and bring it in to City Hall or mail it along with required paperwork and self-addressed stamped envelope to:

City Hall
Pet Licensing
115 W. Pleasant St.
Portage, WI 53901

Pet License Form

Driveway Permit

Driveway Permit Application

Dumpster Permit

You must obtain a dumpster permit if you have a dumpster located on public property and a public right-of-way.  To obtain a dumpster permit fill out the form below.  Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Dumpster Permit
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Dumpster Application

Dumpster Permit Ordinance

Fireworks Sale License

For the sale of Fireworks you must complete the form below.  Either bring the completed form and fee to City Hall or mail it to:
City Hall
Fireworks Sale License
115 W. Pleasant St.
Portage, WI 53901

Fireworks Sale License

Hotel/ Motel

To obtain a hotel/motel license fill out the form below.  Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Hotel/Motel License
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Hotel Motel License Application 5/10/2021

Junk Dealer

To obtain a Junk Dealer License fill out the form below.  Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Junk Dealer License
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Junk Dealer Application 7/2021

Junk Dealer City Ordinance

Land Use Application

To obtain a Land Use Application.  Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Land Use Application
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Land Use Application 10.2022

Mobile Home

To obtain a Mobil Home License fill out the form below. Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Mobil Home License
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Mobile Home Park License Application 2021

Parking Permits

Short Term Parking Permits

Short term parking is for a vehicle parked for 72 hours or less.  A short term parking permit can be obtained by filling out an application and paying the fee at the Portage Police Department located at 117 W. Pleasant Street, Portage, WI 53901.  Phone number 608-742-2174 during regular business hours.

Long Term Parking Permits

Long term parking is over 72 hours and up to 3 months.  A long term parking permit can be obtained at City Hall, located at 115 W. Pleasant Street, Portage, WI 53901.  Phone number 608-742-2176.

The designated municipal parking lot for permits is lot 10, Market Square, located at 200 E. Cook St., Portage, WI 53901.

Click here for the Parking Permit Ordinance

Right of Way Permit

To obtain a Right of Way Permit fill out the form below.  Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Right of Way Permit
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Right of Way Permit Application August 2022

Secondhand Dealer (Article/Jewelry/Pawnbroker)

To obtain a secondhand dealer license fill out the form below.  Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Secondhand Dealer License
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Article Dealer Application

Jewelry Dealer Application

Pawnbroker Application

Signs

To obtain a sign permit fill out the application below.  Drop of the completed form and sketch at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Sign Permit
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Sign Permit Application

Sign Ordinance

Special Event

If you would like to use City property or City services for an event please review the Special Event information and fill out the appropriate forms.

Below find a link to the application for the Special Event Permit and Street Use Permit. Please note that the Special Event Permit application must be received at least 45 days prior to the event. The Street Use Permit Application must be completed 15 days prior to the event.

For more information please review the Special Event Ordinance.

For Banner Locations please review the Banner Location Map

To obtain a special event permit fill out the appropriate forms below. Drop off the completed forms and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Special Event Permit
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Special Event Application

Street Use Permit Application

Amplifying Device Application

Street Privilege

To obtain a street privilege permit fill out the form below. Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Street Priviledge Permit
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Street Privilege Permit Application

Street Use (See Special Event)
Street Vacation, Request For

Application for Street Vacation

Taxi

To obtain a taxi cab operator license or a taxi cab company license fill out the appropriate form below. Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Taxi Application
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Taxi Operator Application 09.07.21

Taxi Cab License Application 4/28/2021

Zoning and Occupancy

To obtain a zoning and occupancy permit fill out the form below. Drop off the completed form and fee at City Hall or mail it to:

City Hall
Zoning and Occupancy Permit
115 W. Pleasant St
Portage, WI 53901

Zoning and Occupancy Permit Application

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City of Portage, WI

City of Portage Municipal Building
115 W Pleasant St. Portage, WI 53901

608.742.2176
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm

Employee Link

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