Section DHS 131.40 - Plans for new construction and alterations(1) DEFINITION. In this section, "alteration" has the meaning provided in s. SPS 361.05(1) International Building Code, Sec. 202.(2) SIGNING AND SEALING. Construction documents submitted to the department for review shall be prepared, signed and sealed as required by ch. 443, Stats., and s. A-E 2.02.(3) CONTENTS AND INFORMATION. (a)1. Construction documents submitted to the department for review shall be dimensioned and drawn to scale.2. The scale used for the construction documents shall be indicated on the documents.(b)1. Except as provided in subd. 2., at least 4 sets of construction documents shall be submitted to the department for review.2.a. At least one set of construction specifications shall be submitted to the department for review.b. One complete set of plans may be submitted, provided it is accompanied with 3 copies of the cover sheet for the complete set, and provided all 4 cover sheets comply with sub. (2).(c) Fees shall be remitted at the time the plans are submitted. No plan examinations, approvals, or onsite reviews shall be made until fees are received.(4) APPLICATION APPROVAL. (a) A plan review application form shall be included with the construction documents and information submitted to the department for examination and approval. The department shall review and make a determination on an application for plan review under this chapter within 30 business days.(b) An application for conditional approval will not be granted if, upon examination, the department determines that the construction documents or application for approval require additional information.(c) If, upon examination, the department determines that the construction documents and the application for approval comply substantially with this chapter, a conditional approval, in writing, shall be granted and the plans shall be stamped conditionally approved. All conditions stated in the conditional approval shall be complied with by the applicant before or during construction.(d) If, upon examination, the department determines that the construction documents or application for approval do not substantially comply with this chapter, the application for conditional approval shall be denied, in writing.(5) EXPIRATION OF APPROVAL. (a)Building shell. Plan approval by the department for new buildings and building additions shall expire 2 years after the approval date indicated on the approved building plans if the building shell is not closed-in within those 2 years.(b)Occupancy. Plan approval by the department for new buildings and building additions shall expire 3 years after the approval date indicated on the approved building plans if the building is not ready for occupancy within those 3 years.(c)Alterations. Plan approval by the department for interior building alterations shall expire one year after the approval date indicated on the approved building plans if the alteration work is not completed within that year.(d)HVAC construction only. Plan approval by the department for heating, ventilating, or air conditioning construction that does not include any associated building construction shall expire one year after the approval date indicated on the approved plans if the building or building area affected by the plans is not ready for occupancy within that year.(e)Fire protection systems only. Plan approval by the department for a fire protection system that does not include any associated building construction shall expire 2 years after the approval date indicated on the approved plans if the building or building area affected by the plans is not ready for occupancy within those 2 years.(6) EXTENSION OF PLAN APPROVAL. Upon request and payment of the fee specified in s. DHS 131.42(3) (d), the expiration dates in sub. (5) (a) to (e) may be extended provided the request is submitted prior to expiration of the original approval.(7) CHANGES TO APPROVED FINAL PLANS. Any changes in the approved final plans affecting the application of the requirements of this subchapter shall be shown on the approved final plans and shall be submitted to the department for approval before construction is undertaken. The department shall notify the hospice in writing of any conflict with this subchapter found in its review of modified plans and specifications.(8) PERMISSION TO START CONSTRUCTION.(a) A building owner may request and the department may grant permission to start construction for the footings and foundations upon submission of construction documents under s. DHS 131.40(3).(b) The department shall review and make a determination on an application for permission to start construction of the footings and foundations within 3 business days of receipt of the application and all forms, fees under s. DHS 131.42(3) (b), construction documents and information required to complete the review.(c) A building owner who has been granted permission to start construction of the footings and foundations may proceed at the owner's own risk without assurance that a conditional approval for the building will be granted.(9) ONSITE REVIEWS. The department may conduct onsite reviews during the construction phase of the project including framing reviews, above ceiling reviews, and finish reviews.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Health Services DHS 131.40
Adopted by, CR 19-092: cr. Register July 2020 No. 775, eff. 8/1/2020