Learn the step-by-step process, documents, fees, and contacts you need to apply fast in Milwaukee. Use our simple checklist to avoid delays and get your permit approved. If you would rather have a team handle it for you, American Erecting & Ironworks is ready to help from planning to lift day.

Why This Guide Matters

When you plan a crane pick in the City of Milwaukee, the right permit protects public safety and keeps your project on schedule. Permits also help coordinate street and sidewalk use, traffic control, and utility protections. This guide explains exactly when you need a permit, who to contact, what to submit, how much to budget, and how to keep the process moving. It is based on real-world experience supporting contractors, builders, and facility owners across Milwaukee County.

Do You Need a Crane Permit in Milwaukee?

In most cases you need permission from the City of Milwaukee before setting up a crane, hoist, or lifting operation that affects the public right-of-way. You also need approvals for tower cranes or significant hoisting equipment installed on construction sites. Here are the most common cases that trigger a crane permit Milwaukee requirement:

• You plan to set up a mobile crane, boom truck, or telehandler in a traffic lane, alley, or parking lane.
• You will close a sidewalk, bike lane, or crosswalk during the lift.
• Your lift radius swings over a public street, sidewalk, or neighboring property beyond your site.
• You install or climb a tower crane for a construction project.
• Your equipment or load is oversize or overweight for travel on state or city roads.
• You need to bag meters, post temporary no parking signs, or detour bus routes.

If your crane stays fully inside private property and does not impact public space, you may not need a street use permit. However, you may still need a building or hoisting permit for certain equipment, and you must always follow OSHA and state safety rules. When in doubt, call before you schedule your lift.

Who Issues Crane Permits in Milwaukee

City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works Street Use Permits

The Department of Public Works manages permits that involve the public right-of-way. If your crane sits in a street, alley, or sidewalk, or if you need a lane or sidewalk closure, you will apply for a Street or Sidewalk Occupancy permit. This is the most common crane permit Milwaukee applicants need for HVAC swaps, rooftop equipment picks, and façade work. The permit usually requires a traffic control plan that follows the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and details your detours, barricades, and work zone setup. For assistance or to be routed to the correct permit desk, call the City of Milwaukee at 414-286-CITY.

Department of Neighborhood Services Development Center

The Department of Neighborhood Services reviews building-related permits and may oversee tower crane installations, hoists, and certain construction site equipment. If your project involves a tower crane or structural support for hoisting, you will likely work with the Development Center for plan review, proof of engineering, and inspection scheduling. To confirm whether your lift requires DNS approvals, contact the city at 414-286-CITY and request the Development Center.

Wisconsin DOT Oversize and Overweight Permits

If your crane or load is oversize or overweight on Wisconsin roads, you will need a separate state permit through Wisconsin Department of Transportation. This can apply when mobilizing large all-terrain or crawler cranes and when hauling long or heavy loads. These permits are typically handled through the Wisconsin OSOW system. Visit the Wisconsin DOT website to access the permit portal or call their general help line to be directed to the OSOW permits unit.

Milwaukee County Parks, Transit, and Other Agencies

If your setup affects county parks property or bus routes, you may need added approvals or coordination. For example, working near a Milwaukee County Parks drive or staging in a park lot often requires county permission. If bus routes or stops are impacted, coordinate with the City of Milwaukee and the transit operator through the city’s main number at 414-286-CITY. They will direct you to the team that handles transit detours and temporary stop relocations.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Crane Permit Milwaukee

1. Define the lift scope. Confirm location, date, start and end times, crane type and capacity, and the heaviest pick weight with radius. Clarify whether your setup touches a lane, alley, or sidewalk.
2. Collect site data. Measure curb to building, lane widths, and sidewalk width. Identify bus stops, hydrants, manholes, vaults, and overhead lines. Take photos to support your plan.
3. Create a scaled site plan. Show property lines, crane position and outriggers, swing radius, staging area, and footprint of any closures. Mark where barricades, cones, signs, and flaggers will be placed.
4. Draft a traffic control plan. Follow MUTCD standards. Include detour routes, taper lengths, buffers, speeds, and any temporary no parking or meter bagging. If you will close a sidewalk, show the pedestrian path or a protected walkway.
5. Prepare safety documentation. Have your lift plan, rigging plan, crane configuration chart, and load calculations ready. Gather crane operator NCCCO certifications and proof of recent inspections.
6. Secure insurance. Obtain a certificate of insurance that meets city requirements and lists the City of Milwaukee as an additional insured for work in the right-of-way. Confirm coverage limits and effective dates.
7. Choose your dates with flexibility. Aim for off-peak hours if possible. Weekend mornings often get faster approvals for downtown lifts due to lower traffic.
8. Submit the permit application. Apply with the Department of Public Works for street or sidewalk occupancy. For tower cranes or special hoisting equipment, coordinate with Department of Neighborhood Services. Call 414-286-CITY to confirm the correct form and submission method.
9. Address comments quickly. Respond to plan review notes within one business day. If changes are needed, update your plan set and re-submit.
10. Pay permit fees. Fees are typically calculated based on street frontage, number of lanes, duration of closure, and review type. Keep a record of your receipts or confirmation numbers.
11. Post signs and notifications. Place temporary no parking signs and meter bags according to city guidelines. Notify nearby businesses and residents of closure times and access routes.
12. Stage traffic control and perform the lift. Follow your approved plan. Maintain access for emergency vehicles and keep a clean work zone. Use certified personnel for flagging.
13. Restore and close out. Reopen lanes and sidewalks on time, remove all traffic control devices, and restore pavement or landscaping if disturbed. Keep your permit on file for project records.

Required Documents and Forms

Gathering complete documents on day one is the best way to speed up your crane permit Milwaukee application. Use this checklist to avoid back-and-forth.

• Street or Sidewalk Occupancy Permit application for the City of Milwaukee, if using or closing public right-of-way
• Scaled site plan with crane location, outrigger footprint, swing radius, and closure boundaries
• Traffic control plan with detours, signage, and pedestrian routing drawn to scale
• Certificate of insurance naming the City of Milwaukee as additional insured, with required limits
• Lift plan and rigging plan, including load weights, rigging gear, and sequence
• Crane load chart and configuration notes that match the planned boom and counterweight
• NCCCO certifications for operators, plus rigging and signal qualifications for crew
• Recent crane annual inspection and daily inspection checklist template
• Schedule of work with start and end times and contingency date
• Notifications to adjacent properties and any coordination letters if applicable
• For tower cranes, engineering calculations, foundation or tie-in details, and DNS approvals
• For oversize travel, Wisconsin DOT OSOW permit details for crane mobilization

Fees, Timelines, and Scheduling Tips

Fees vary by location, closure type, lane feet, and duration. Expect application and review fees for right-of-way occupancy and additional costs if you bag meters or require special traffic devices. Tower cranes and construction hoists may involve building-related permit fees set by the Department of Neighborhood Services. The city will calculate exact amounts when you submit your scope and plan.

Typical timelines depend on complexity. Simple one-lane closures for a short mobile crane pick can often be reviewed within several business days when plans are complete. Larger closures, downtown locations, or projects that affect multiple blocks can require one to two weeks or longer, especially if events or transit changes are involved. To keep your project on track, submit at least 10 business days before your planned lift. Submit earlier for tower crane installations or multi-day closures.

Scheduling tips that help approval and field success include choosing early weekend mornings for downtown lifts, avoiding large event days, building a rain date into your permit window, and keeping your closure as short and narrow as safely possible.

Traffic Control, Parking, and Notifications

Traffic Control Plan Essentials

Your plan should include barricades, cones, drums, and signage that match road speeds and volumes. Show taper lengths, buffer zones, and flagger locations. Protect pedestrians with clear routing and barriers if they are near the crane setup or swing radius. Keep emergency access open.

Parking Meter Bagging and Temporary No Parking

When your crane or work zone occupies curb space, you may need to bag meters or post temporary no parking. This is handled through city permitting. Place signs and bags according to your approved timeline and remove them promptly after the lift. Do not rely on cones alone to hold parking space without approved notices.

Neighbor and Business Notifications

Alert adjacent properties about closures, noise, and timing at least a few days before your lift. Provide a contact number for questions. With proper notice, you can reduce complaints and prevent last-minute conflicts with deliveries or building access.

Common Mistakes That Delay a Crane Permit Milwaukee Application

• Submitting without a scaled site plan showing crane footprint and swing radius
• Omitting a traffic control plan or using generic, not-to-scale diagrams
• Understating closure width or time window and needing last-minute changes
• Forgetting the certificate of insurance listing the City as additional insured
• Not coordinating with bus routes, events, or trash collection days
• Requesting a downtown weekday mid-day closure during peak traffic
• Skipping a rain date or backup date in the application
• Failing to communicate with building management or neighboring businesses

Why Work With American Erecting & Ironworks

American Erecting & Ironworks is a second-generation, family-owned company based in Racine, Wisconsin. Since 1991 we have supported contractors, builders, and manufacturers across Racine, Kenosha, and Milwaukee counties. When you need a crane permit Milwaukee project, our team can help you plan the lift, assemble the right documents, and coordinate with the city so your job goes smoothly.

We operate a fleet of late-model cranes, tractor-trailers, forklifts, and specialty gear. Our NCCCO-certified crane operators follow strict safety standards and complete lifts efficiently. Beyond crane services, we offer machinery moving, equipment rental, and steel sales to support the full project lifecycle. If you need a turnkey solution, we can handle street occupancy planning, traffic control coordination, and schedule the lift during off-peak hours to minimize impact.

Services include crane services for rooftop HVAC and heavy lifts, machinery moving with flexible scheduling that includes weekends and holidays, equipment rentals including forklifts with or without rigger booms, rough terrain telehandlers, and genie boom lifts on daily, weekly, monthly, or extended terms, and steel sales for beams and columns in a range of sizes for building projects within Wisconsin. Learn more at AEAIWI.COM.

Sample One-Day Downtown Lift Timeline

1. Two to three weeks out: Confirm scope, choose crane, measure site, and draft traffic control plan.
2. Ten business days out: Submit street occupancy permit and insurance, then request meter bagging if needed.
3. Five business days out: Respond to city comments, finalize plan set, and pay permit fees.
4. Two to three days out: Post temporary no parking signs and notify nearby properties.
5. Lift day early morning: Set traffic control before setup, verify permit on site, and conduct safety briefing.
6. Lift window: Execute rigging and picks, maintain pedestrian routing, and monitor wind speeds.
7. After lift: Remove equipment, restore lanes and sidewalks, collect traffic devices, and document completion.

Contacts and Quick Directions

City of Milwaukee general assistance and routing: 414-286-CITY. Ask to be connected to the Department of Public Works for Street and Sidewalk Occupancy permits or to the Department of Neighborhood Services Development Center for tower crane and construction hoisting questions. For oversize or overweight travel permits, visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website and follow the OSOW permit process or call the main DOT line to be routed to the permits unit. If your lift affects county parks or bus routes, explain the location when speaking with the city so the call center can direct you to the correct coordinator.

American Erecting & Ironworks contact: 2108 Clark St, Racine, WI 53403. Phone: 262-637-7177. Hours: Monday to Friday 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visit AEAIWI.COM to request a quote or schedule a site walk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I apply?

Apply at least 10 business days before your planned lift. Larger closures, event areas, or tower cranes may need a longer window. Early communication can save weeks.

What if the weather changes?

Include a rain date or backup date in your application. If a change is needed, contact the city as soon as possible to adjust your closure and maintain legal authorization.

Can I work on weekends?

Yes, many downtown lifts are scheduled early on weekend mornings to minimize traffic. Confirm acceptable hours with the city and your project neighbors.

Do I need flaggers?

If your closure affects traffic, flaggers may be required. Your traffic control plan should specify the number and location of trained flaggers for safety.

Who posts temporary no parking signs?

The city will provide instructions with your permit. Post them at the required lead time and remove them after the lift. Bag any meters according to the permit conditions.

Can my crane swing over neighboring property?

Only with permission. If your boom or load path enters airspace you do not control, secure written permission. Avoid swinging over occupied areas whenever possible.

Pro Tips to Speed Approval

• Submit a clean plan set that is scaled and labeled with dates and times on every sheet.
• Show exactly how pedestrians will pass your site safely or where they will cross.
• Right-size your closure. A shorter, narrower closure is easier to approve if it works safely.
• Provide complete insurance at the time of application and verify the additional insured language.
• Choose early morning hours and avoid conflicts with nearby events or roadwork.
• Work with a crane company that has local permitting experience, like American Erecting & Ironworks.

How American Erecting & Ironworks Can Help

If you want to skip the permitting hassle, American Erecting & Ironworks can help plan and execute your crane permit Milwaukee project from start to finish. We coordinate with city offices, draft practical site and traffic control plans, and schedule lifts for minimal disruption. Our team brings more than 30 years of experience and a fleet of late-model cranes and support equipment to keep your project moving. We also offer forklifts, telehandlers, and boom lifts for rent on flexible contracts, and provide steel beams and columns for projects throughout Wisconsin.

Our priority is safety and customer satisfaction. With NCCCO-certified operators and proven procedures, we deliver efficient lifts and careful planning. Contact us to walk your site, select the right crane, and submit the permit package correctly the first time.

Get Your Permit and Lift Done Right

A successful crane permit Milwaukee application starts with good planning and clear communication. Define your scope, build a complete plan set, submit early, and coordinate traffic and neighbors ahead of time. For a faster path, partner with a local expert that knows the streets, agencies, and process. Call American Erecting & Ironworks at 262-637-7177 or visit AEAIWI.COM to start your permit and schedule your lift today.