10/06/2026
South Shore Fire Department recently mailed letters to condominium owners regarding a $7 annual fire inspection fee. This will be added to the tax bill of condo units ONLY, and is for ongoing inspections of common areas. Condo owners do not need to schedule separate fire inspections of their private condominium units.
SOUTH SHORE FIRE DEPARTMENT
3900 Old Green Bay Road - Mt Pleasant - WI 53403 – 262-995-1200 – 262-995-1208 Fax
Condominium Fire Inspections
Frequently Asked Questions
Village of Mount Pleasant & Village of Sturtevant
1. Why are condominium properties inspected?
Fire inspections help identify hazards, maintain emergency access, and ensure fire and life safety features remain properly maintained and operational. They promote the safety of residents, visitors, and emergency responders.
2. How often are inspections required?
The memorandum states that Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 314 requires fire prevention inspections of applicable public buildings and places of employment at least annually.
3. What areas of a condominium property are typically inspected?
Inspections generally focus on common areas and building systems. These may include lobbies, corridors, stairwells, mechanical and electrical rooms, storage areas, clubhouses, fitness rooms, laundry facilities, parking structures, fire department access routes, and fire protection systems.
4. Will inspectors enter my private condominium unit?
Occupied private dwelling units are not included in routine fire inspections. Individual condominium units are generally considered private dwellings and are not subject to routine inspections absent consent, emergency conditions, or other legal authority.
5. What do inspectors look for?
Inspectors may review:
Fire alarm and automatic sprinkler systems;
Fire extinguishers;
Clear exits and egress pathways;
Emergency lighting and exit signs;
Fire doors and stairwells;
Visible addresses and unit numbers;
Electrical hazards and combustible storage;
Fire department access roads and fire lanes;
Accessible fire hydrants and fire department connections; and
Other common area fire and life safety requirements.
6. How much is the inspection fee?
Residential building occupancies are assessed $7.00 per unit, per inspection.
7. Why is the fee calculated per unit when inspections generally cover common areas?
The memorandum identifies a per-unit fee for residential building occupancies under Village ordinance. That billing method applies even though routine condominium inspections generally focus on common areas and building systems.
8. Why are inspection fees being applied now?
A review of past practices found that inspection billing was not consistently applied in previous years. The Village and Department are applying the fees moving forward to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance with Village ordinance.
9. When will these fees begin?
The memorandum states that inspection fees will be assessed to applicable condominium properties beginning with the 2026 tax roll.
10. Will the Village collect fees for inspections from prior years?
No. The memorandum states that recovery or retroactive collection of inspection fees from prior years will not occur.
11. Who may be responsible for the inspection fee?
Inspection fees may be assessed to the condominium association, property owner, or responsible entity, in accordance with Village ordinance but will applied to the owners of each unit’s 2026 tax roll.
12. How will the fees be billed?
Fees will be assessed in accordance with Village ordinance and may be placed on the annual property tax roll as a special charge if not otherwise paid.
13. What municipal and state codes apply to fire inspections?
Applicable references include the Village of Mount Pleasant Municipal Code, Chapter 30 (Fees and Charges) and Chapter 34 (Fire Prevention and Protection); the Village of Sturtevant Municipal Code, Chapter 5 (Fire Protection); and Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 314. Municipal requirements apply to properties within the respective village.
14. Who can answer questions about inspections or billing?
Contact the South Shore Fire Department Administration Office at 262-995-1200. Monday through Friday.
