Construction Project Plan Review for Health Care Facilities
Health care facilities must submit construction project plan reviews to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). This includes, but isn't limited to, the following project types:
- Building
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Fire protection systems
These rules apply to:
- Hospitals.
- Nursing homes.
- Facilities serving people with developmental disabilities.
- Community-based residential facilities*.
- Hospice inpatient facilities.
- Other spaces attached to a health care facility.
*The Regulatory Authority for Health Care Construction Plan Review, P-00746 (PDF) outlines plan reviews provided by the Office of Plan Review and Inspection (OPRI).
Plan review
Please review the OPRI Plan Review Process (PDF) document that will walk you through the steps that an applicant will complete when submitting their plan for licensure and the steps that our office will complete.
The following provider types must submit construction plans through the DHS DQA Provider Portal:
- Community-based residential facilities (CBRF).
- DHS 75 residential facilities.
- Residential care apartment complexes (RCAC) and any other occupancy types of buildings (e.g., business occupancy, hospital, nursing homes, and hospice) that are attached to a CBRF.
Plans for these provider types may not be emailed or mailed to OPRI. You must submit in the DHS DQA Provider Portal.
DQA is launching the DHS DQA Provider Portal, a new system for licensure, background checks, plan reviews, and other provider applications for substance use and mental health treatment programs. Licensure/certification applications and plan review materials will not be accepted electronically or postmarked as of November 22, 2025, as we transition to the new system. We will accept applications and plan review materials starting December 15, 2025. Applications and materials must be submitted using the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our DHS DQA Provider Portal webpage.
The following provider types are not yet available to submit construction plans through the DHS DQA Provider Portal:
- Hospitals.
- Nursing homes.
- Facilities serving people with developmental disabilities.
For these providers, plan submittals must be submitted to OPRI as PDF files. Submittals should include the following:
- Construction plans, with the seal and signature of the designer.
- Completed plan approval application.
- A copy of the plan submittal fees checks.
Send plan submittals to dhsdqaplanreview@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Mail the following to the plan intake coordinator at DHS:
- Payment for the plan submittal fees (in the form of a check).
- A copy of the completed plan approval application.
DHS Division of Quality Assurance
ATTN: Plan Intake Coordinator
819 N. 6th St., Room 609B
Milwaukee, WI 53203-1606
This will ensure the plan intake coordinator matches payment to the correct construction project. Once you pay the fees, we will process the plans and send you an email.
DHS plan review submittal requirements by provider type
Please review information in the accordion below for your provider type.
This includes buildings and occupancies attached to a CBRF. See Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 83 Community-Based Residential Care Facilities
New CBRF license
Drawings must be an accurate representation of all levels of the building, illustrate wall thicknesses, be drawn to scale, be dimensioned, illustrate all rooms with room names, illustrate door and window locations, illustrate common areas, show window and common area calculations, illustrate accessibility requirements, illustrate egress routes, illustrate rated walls and smoke walls, and illustrate compliance with all other applicable codes.
5-8 beds in a residential building (new and existing buildings) - minimal submittal
- An application with the correct fees
- Building - drawings
- Fire alarm - drawings
- Fire sprinkler - drawings
9 or more beds (new and existing buildings) - minimal submittal
- An application with the correct fees
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed architect or professional engineer:
- Building - drawings and calculations
- HVAC - drawings and calculations
- Fire alarm - drawings and calculations
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed designer of engineering systems:
- Fire sprinkler - drawings and calculations
Existing CBRF license
Drawings must be an accurate representation of the affected areas and systems of the building, illustrate wall thicknesses, be drawn to scale, be dimensioned, illustrate all rooms with room names, illustrate door and window locations, illustrate common areas, show window and common area calculations, illustrate accessibility requirements, illustrate egress routes, illustrate rated walls and smoke walls, and illustrate compliance with all other applicable codes.
5-8 beds in a residential building - minimal submittal
- An application with the correct fees
- Drawings illustrating the changes to affected areas of the building. These drawings could include building, fire alarm, fire sprinkler, or any combination thereof depending on the proposed change(s).
9 or more beds - minimal submittal for affected building areas and systems
- An application with the correct fees
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed architect or professional engineer:
- Building - drawings and calculations
- HVAC - drawings and calculations
- Fire alarm - drawings and calculations
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed designer of engineering systems:
- Fire sprinkler - drawings and calculations
See Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 75 Community Substance Use Service Standards.
DQA is launching the DHS DQA Provider Portal, a new system for licensure, background checks, plan reviews, and other provider applications for substance use and mental health treatment programs. Licensure/certification applications and plan review materials will not be accepted electronically or postmarked as of November 22, 2025, as we transition to the new system. We will accept applications and plan review materials starting December 15, 2025. Applications and materials must be submitted using the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our DHS DQA Provider Portal webpage.
New residential certification
Drawings must be an accurate representation of all levels of the building, illustrate wall thicknesses, be drawn to scale, be dimensioned, illustrate all rooms with room names, illustrate door and window locations, illustrate common areas, show window and common area calculations, illustrate accessibility requirements, illustrate egress routes, illustrate rated walls and smoke walls, and illustrate compliance with all other applicable codes.
5-8 beds in a residential building (new and existing buildings) - minimal submittal
- An application with the correct fees
- Building - drawings
- Fire alarm - drawings
- Fire sprinkler - drawings
9 or more beds (new and existing buildings) - minimal submittal
- An application with the correct fees
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed architect or professional engineer:
- Building - drawings and calculations
- HVAC - drawings and calculations
- Fire alarm - drawings and calculations
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed designer of engineering systems:
- Fire sprinkler - drawings and calculations
Existing residential certification
Drawings must be an accurate representation of the affected areas and systems of the building, illustrate wall thicknesses, be drawn to scale, be dimensioned, illustrate all rooms with room names, illustrate door and window locations, illustrate common areas, show window and common area calculations, illustrate accessibility requirements, illustrate egress routes, illustrate rated walls and smoke walls, and illustrate compliance with all other applicable codes.
5-8 beds in a residential building (new and existing buildings) - minimal submittal
- An application with the correct fees
- Building - drawings
- Fire alarm - drawings
- Fire sprinkler - drawings
9 or more beds (new and existing buildings) - minimal submittal
- An application with the correct fees
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed architect or professional engineer:
- Building - drawings and calculations
- HVAC - drawings and calculations
- Fire alarm - drawings and calculations
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed designer of engineering systems:
- Fire sprinkler - drawings and calculations
This includes buildings and occupancies attached to a hospital. See Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 124 Hospitals.
New and existing hospital license for new and existing buildings - minimal submittal for affected building areas and systems
- Completed Plan Approval Application, F-62333 (Word) including the correct fees
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed architect or professional engineer:
- Building - drawings and calculations
- HVAC - drawings and calculations
- Fire Alarm - drawings and calculations
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed designer of engineering systems:
- Fire sprinkler - drawings and calculations
- Essential electrical - drawings
- Emergency lighting - drawings
- Nurse call - drawings
- Medical gas - drawings
This includes buildings and occupancies attached to a nursing home. See Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 132 Nursing Homes.
Existing nursing home license - minimal submittal for affected building areas and systems
- Completed Plan Approval Application, F-62333 (Word) including the correct fees
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed architect or professional engineer:
- Building - drawings and calculations
- HVAC - drawings and calculations
- Fire Alarm - drawings and calculations
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date):
- Fire sprinkler - drawings and calculations
- Essential electrical - drawings
- Emergency lighting - drawings
- Nurse call - drawings
- Medical gas - drawings
This includes buildings and occupancies attached to a hospice. See Wisconsin Admin. Code § DHS 131 Hospices.
New and existing hospice license for new and existing buildings - minimal submittal for affected building areas and systems
- Completed Plan Approval Application, F-62333 (Word) including the correct fees
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed architect or professional engineer:
- Building - drawings and calculations
- HVAC - drawings and calculations
- Fire Alarm - drawings and calculations
- The following must be signed, sealed, and dated (with a current date) by a Wisconsin credentialed designer of engineering systems:
- Fire sprinkler - drawings and calculations
- Essential electrical - drawings
- Emergency lighting - drawings
- Nurse call - drawings
- Medical gas - drawings
Contact us
- Send questions about codes to dhsdqaopribldgtech@dhs.wisconsin.gov
- Send questions about plan submittals to dhsdqaplanreview@dhs.wisconsin.gov
- See the Office of Plan Review and Inspection (OPRI) Staff and Plan Intake Office webpage to find contact information for a specific staff
OPRI news
On August 11, 2025, DQA released memo 25-002 titled Construction Requirements for New 'Class-C' CBRF Structures (PDF). The purpose of this memo is to provide the regulatory requirements regarding the minimum fire safety requirements for licensure of new commercial Class-C CBRFs of nine or more beds.
If you have questions about CBRF plan review and construction, please contact the Office of Plan Review and Inspection.
If you have questions about CBRF licensing, please contact the Bureau of Assisted Living.
On October 10, 2024, DQA released Small (5-8 Bed) Community-Based Residential Facilities (CBRF) Accessibility Requirements, P-03670 (PDF). The purpose of this publication is to clarify the accessibility requirements for a 5-8 bed CBRF.
If you have questions about CBRF plan review and construction, please contact the Office of Plan Review and Inspection.
If you have questions about CBRF licensing, please contact the Bureau of Assisted Living.
On October 10, 2024, DQA released Newly Licensed Small (5-8 Bed) Community-Based Residential Facilities (CBRF) in a Commercial Building, P-03669 (PDF). The purpose of this publication is to clarify the building requirements for a small CBRF to be located within a commercial building.
If you have questions about CBRF plan review and construction, please contact the Office of Plan Review and Inspection.
If you have questions about CBRF licensing, please contact the Bureau of Assisted Living.
On January 9, 2024, DQA released C-Class CBRF Minimum Corridor Width, P-00287 (PDF). The purpose of this publication is to clarify the regulatory requirements regarding the required corridor width for Class-C CBRFs of 9 or more beds.
If you have questions about CBRF plan review and construction, please contact the Office of Plan Review and Inspection.
If you have questions about CBRF licensing, please contact the Bureau of Assisted Living.
On January 3, 2024, DQA released New Class-C CBRF: Construction Type VA Requirements, P-03538 (PDF). The purpose of this publication is to clarify the regulatory requirements regarding Class-C CBRFs in multi-story, multi-occupancy, construction Type VA buildings.
If you have questions about CBRF plan review and construction, please contact the Office of Plan Review and Inspection.
If you have questions about CBRF licensing, please contact the Bureau of Assisted Living.
On September 14, 2023, DQA released memo 23-002 titled Fire Watch, Fire Plan, and Fire Reporting Update (PDF). The purpose of this memo is to provide updated information regarding the response to fire-related emergencies in health care facilities.
If you have questions about plan review and construction, please contact the Office of Plan Review and Inspection.
On May 5, 2023, DQA released memo 23-001 titled CBRF: Requirements for Newly-Licensed Existing Structures (PDF). The purpose of this memo is to provide the regulatory requirements regarding the conversion of an existing building or structure to a newly licensed CBRF.
If you have questions about CBRF plan review and construction, please contact the Office of Plan Review and Inspection.
If you have questions about CBRF licensing, please contact the Bureau of Assisted Living.
DHS published an updated edition of the hospital Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 124, on July 1, 2020, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 50.36 (1m) (a), (b), and (c). This code affects hospitals that are licensed by the state of Wisconsin. The update includes new information about:
- Plan review fees and applications.
- Plans of correction.
- Waivers and variances.
- Maternity.
- Patient rights.
- Freestanding emergency departments.
- Physical environment.
Hospitals must design, construct, and operate facilities based on:
- The Life Safety Code, including Life Safety Codes in the federal Conditions of Participation.
- Wisconsin Commercial Building Code.
- National standards on construction and fire safety.
New rules also affect the design of patient rooms. Patient rooms must:
- Be of sufficient size.
- Have sanitary support.
- Give the patient privacy and ways to contact staff.
- Have fire safe finishes.
Emergency and fire incident reporting must be clearly outlined.
See Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 124 for more information.
CBRFs are grouped into categories based on certain requirements. This includes size and rules listed in Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 83.04.
CBRF categories include small, medium, and large.
- Small CBRF - Five to eight residents (Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 83.04, Uniform Dwelling Code, and chs. SPS 320 – 325)
- Medium CBRF - Nine to 20 residents (Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 83.04, chs. SPS 361 – 366 and adopted 2015 International Building Code. Occupancy grouping R-4, I-1, or I-2)
- Large CBRF - 21 or more residents (Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 83.04, chs. SPS 361 – 366 and adopted 2015 International Building Code. Occupancy grouping I-1 or I-2)
CBRF occupancy grouping:
- CBRF with nine or more residents:
- I–2 condition 1 license category CA, CS, or CNA, Construction Requirements for New 'Class-C' CBRF Structures, DQA memo 23-003 (PDF)
- CBRF with nine to 16 residents:
- R–4 condition 1 license category AA
- R–4 condition 2 license category AS and ANA
- CBRF with 17 or more residents:
- I–1 condition 1 license category AA
- I–1 condition 2 license category AS and ANA
- I–2 condition 1 license category CA, CS and CNA