The general Premises Records (boxes 1-298) are comprised of building permits authorizing both new and remodeling construction, permits to install electrical and plumbing work, applications for occupancy, inspection reports, complaints and orders to comply, and orders of demolition of public and private buildings razed by the city. [Orders are not guarantees of actual work performed.] This series includes: records for buildings razed prior to 1967; records for buildings razed prior to 1979; records for taverns; and records for various types of structures which have been razed. Some structure types are hotels, churches, dance halls, theaters, and schools.

The Code of Enforcement Records (boxes 302-325) may contain items such as a Notice of Referral, which states which area of the Inspector’s Office property owners should be referred. These areas are: Construction, Electrical, Plumbing, Building Maintenance, Conservation and Urban Development, and Hazardous Occupancy and Materials. Other documents in these files are Order to Correct Condition of Premises, Building Inspector’s Maintenance Inspection Form, Chronological Record of Enforcement, Form for Court Testimony, Alderman’s Service Request, and Order to Rehabilitate or Raze. Premises Records for buildings in the Walker’s Point area (boxes 326-415) cover the region from South 1st Street to South 16th Street and from West Pierce Street to Greenfield Avenue.

The Advisory Housing Commission files contain materials collected by Leon M. Gurda, Inspector of Buildings, for the City of Milwaukee. Mr. Gurda, whose emphasis was on slum clearance, was a member of the Mayor’s Commission on Housing. The material consists of: minutes, correspondence, and reports of committees relating to the Mayor’s Housing Commission, including State of Wisconsin Bill #304, S. – “to create sections 199.01 – 199.30 of the statutes, relating to limited dividend housing corporations.” Also included are surveys and data on housing; the Demolition Conference, including correspondence, release of information, and an agenda regarding the conference held in Washington, D.C., March 23-24, 1934; materials for the “creation of a work relief project to survey Milwaukee and locate all unfit frame buildings in fire areas” (C.W.A.); and Milwaukee’s plan on condemnation of buildings for the demolition of unsafe and unsanitary housing, including a map of buildings razed by condemnation and by permit during 1930-1933.

The Building Permits are a record of monies collected for building permits. Permit types include frame buildings, brick and stone, brick cased, additions and alterations, moving buildings, city charter and Board of Public Works. There are no address listings. The series also contains annual reports. The years 1925-1928 are missing. Early volumes include informational reports on building improvements, building code ratification process, and some photographs are included in the years 1910 and 1911. Additional brochures and publications are included as well.