Department Plan approval shall expire after how long if construction has not commenced?

• A. Plan approvals are valid indefinitely.
• B. Plan approvals expire after six months if construction has not commenced.
• C. Plan approvals expire after one year if construction has not commenced.
• D. Plan approvals expire after two years if construction has not commenced.

Answer: (D)

Plan approvals have a time limit to start construction. If you haven’t begun work within that window, the approval expires and you must reapply or obtain a new approval with updated plans. In Wisconsin, the standard period is two years. This gives ample time for planning and mobilization while keeping the plans current with codes and standards. A shorter window could prematurely invalidate long-gestation projects, and a plan with indefinite validity could let outdated requirements slip through. If the two-year limit passes, you’d need to submit again, ensuring the plans reflect any code changes and meet current requirements.