City of Wisconsin Rapids Provides Information for Residents Regarding Recent Hailstorm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2024 
  
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – With the recent hailstorm damage experienced by many residents and property owners within the City over this past weekend, the following information is being provided in an attempt to minimize issues during the repair of any damages. The City of Wisconsin Rapids warns residents to be careful when choosing a contractor for their repairs. 
 
Building Permits Required for Repair Work 
A building permit is REQUIRED for residential and commercial building repairs. The permit must be obtained from the Community Development Department. Forms are also available online and can be printed, completed and mailed in, or dropped off at the office. Forms are online at: www.wirapids.org/licenses-and-permits  

Additional PDF Links
​Commercial Permits Required
Residential Permits Required
 
Any contractor working on a home MUST BE LICENSED through the State of Wisconsin as a Dwelling Contractor and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. However, a permit can be applied for by a homeowner if the homeowner certifies that the homeowner is performing the repairs on their own, without a contractor. 
 
Please be advised that if the homeowner hires a contractor to perform work which is being completed under a building permit requested by the homeowner, and the contractor is not licensed, bonded or insured as required under state law or City ordinance, the following consequences might occur: 

1. The owner may be held liable for any bodily inquiry to or death of others or for damage to the property of others that arises out of the work performed under the building permit or that is caused by any negligence by the contractor that occurs in connection with the work performed under the building permit. 2
2. The owner may not be able to collect from the contractor damages for any loss sustained by the owner because of a violation by the contractor of the municipal or state code, because of any bodily injury to or death of others or damage to the property of others that arises out of the work performed under the building permit or because of any bodily injury to or death of others or damage to the property of others that is caused by any negligence by the contractor that occurs in connection with the work performed under the building permit. 

 
If you have questions about building permits or would like to obtain one, please contact:  
 
Community Development  
www.wirapids.org/permits-and-inspections 
715-421-8228 
City Hall, 2nd Floor 
444 West Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids 
 
Transient Merchant Permits from The City 
Any business that has not had a business location in Wood County, Wisconsin, or its contiguous counties, for at least one year, is advised that if they are soliciting residents door-to-door or via telephone, they may be required to obtain a Transient Merchant License from the City of Wisconsin Rapids. The City’s transient merchant ordinance can be found here.
 
Transient Merchant permits can be obtained from: 
 
City Clerk
715-421-8200 
City Hall, 1st Floor 
444 West Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids 

PDF Links
Transient Merchant Business Application
Transient Merchant Employee Application
 
Because there may be a need for estimates and work to be done in a timely manner, the City is waiving the requirement of a 30-day wait between application and issuance. The City is also setting a bond amount of $25,000 for all transient merchant contractors. 
 
The registration of any businesses with the City of Wisconsin Rapids does not imply endorsement of these businesses by the City. The City makes no warranties, guarantees, or representations regarding these businesses, their services, or their merchandise. They have simply fulfilled a registration requirement with the City.   
 
Residents should be aware that non-local businesses may be contracting or affiliating with local businesses, and thus may be representing themselves as being “local.” Some of these arrangements would not require the non-local business to register with the City.   
 
The City encourages homeowners to fully investigate each prospective business, including requesting a dwelling contractor license, transient merchant permit (if applicable), references, insurance coverage, and warranty information, before engaging in any transactions with the business. 
 
Please note that local contractors are not required to have a Transient Merchant permit, and those local contractors may solicit residents in person and over the phone without such a permit.