Minnesota building permits

Where to get a building permit in Minnesota

Apply to the building department of the city, town or county where the property is (the steps).

Our Minnesota city guides, with each department's contacts, fees, inspections and project rules:

• Minneapolis

Minnesota state agencies

These offices set statewide codes or license the trades. They do not issue permits for most home projects.

Building code in Minnesota

For homes, the residential code is the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code³, in effect since March 31, 2020⁴ (statewide; applies everywhere²⁰).

Every code family, edition and effective date is on Minnesota building codes.

State rules on which work needs a permit

Minn. R. 1300.0120, subp. 4 (rule, not statute)

• Permit required before work. An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any gas, mechanical, electrical, plumbing system, or other equipment, the installation of which is regulated by the code; or cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.²¹
• Exempt work must still meet the code. Exemptions from permit requirements of the code do not authorize work to be done in any manner in violation of the code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.²¹
• 200 square feet. …one-story detached accessory structures, used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2)…²¹
• 7 feet. …fences not over seven feet (2,134 mm) high…²¹
• 4 feet. …retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids…²¹
• Sidewalks and driveways not on an accessible route. …sidewalks and driveways that are not part of an accessible route…²¹
• 30 inches. …decks and platforms not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade and not attached to a structure with frost footings and which is not part of an accessible route…²¹
• Finish work: painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops. …painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work…²¹
• 24 inches. …prefabricated swimming pools installed entirely above ground accessory to dwelling units constructed to the provisions of the International Residential Code or R-3 occupancies constructed to the provisions of the International Building Code, which do not exceed both 5,000 gallons in capacity (18,925 L) and a 24-inch (610 mm) depth…²¹
• 54 inches. …window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support, when constructed under the International Residential Code or Group R-3 and Group U occupancies constructed to the provisions of the International Building Code…²¹
• Swings and playground equipment. …swings and other playground equipment…²¹
• Trade permits still apply to exempt building work. Unless otherwise exempted, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits are required for subitems (1) to (14).²¹
• Ordinary repairs need no application, with limits. Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures.²¹
• Emergency equipment work: apply next working business day. If equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted to the building official within the next working business day.²¹
• One- and two-family maintenance permits for roofing, siding, windows, doors or other minor projects may carry a fixed fee. …one- and two-family dwelling maintenance permits for roofing, siding, windows, doors, or other minor projects may be charged a fixed fee…²²
• Electrical permit required for a shed even without a building permit. Electrical light fixtures, outlets and other electrical related items are allowed in sheds, but an electrical permit is required for their installation even when a building permit is not required.²³
• Agricultural buildings outside the code, with exceptions. The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except…²⁰

Applies to

Where a municipality enforces the State Building Code²⁴

Homeowners doing their own work

Minn. Stat. §§ 326B.805 subd. 6(3), 326B.33 subd. 21(f), 326B.46 subds. 1(a), 1a(a)

• Owner-occupants and owners keeping a rental are exempt from contractor licensing. …an owner of residential real estate who builds or improves residential real estate if the owner occupies or will occupy the residential real estate for residential purposes, or will retain ownership for rental purposes upon completion of the building or improvement.²⁵
• Not for resale or speculation. This exemption does not apply to an owner who constructs or improves residential real estate for purposes of resale or speculation.²⁵
• 24 months. An owner of residential real estate will be presumed to be building or improving for purposes of speculation if the owner constructs or improves more than one property within any 24-month period, unless the properties will be retained by the owner for rental purposes…²⁵
• Owner may do own electrical work if the dwelling has its own service. (f) An individual who physically performs electrical work on a residential dwelling that is located on a property the individual owns and actually occupies as a residence or owns and will occupy as a residence upon completion of its construction is not required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326B.31 to 326B.399 if the residential dwelling has a separate electrical utility service not shared with any other residential dwelling.²⁶
• Owner may do own plumbing if occupying as a residence, unless a local ordinance forbids. Anyone not so licensed may do plumbing work which complies with the provisions of the minimum standards prescribed by the Plumbing Board on premises or that part of premises owned and actually occupied by the worker as a residence, unless otherwise forbidden to do so by a local ordinance.²⁷
• Unlicensed plumbing allowed on own residence. (a) An individual without a contractor license may do plumbing work on the individual's residence in accordance with subdivision 1, paragraph (a).²⁷
• Homeowners can request electrical permits through DLI. Homeowners can request electrical permits through our website for work on their own property.²⁸
• DLI: owners building for resale need a license. Owners working on their own property must also be licensed if they build or remodel for the purpose of speculation or resale.⁶

Contractor licensing

Minn. Stat. §§ 326B.802, 326B.805; 326B.33; 326B.46; 326B.701

• Residential building contractors, remodelers, roofers and manufactured home installers must be licensed. A person who meets the definition of a residential building contractor as defined in section 326B.802, subdivision 11, must be licensed as a residential building contractor by the commissioner.²⁵
• No unlicensed residential contracting for compensation. Except as provided in subdivision 6, no persons required to be licensed by subdivision 1 may act or hold themselves out as a residential building contractor, residential remodeler, residential roofer, or manufactured home installer for compensation without a license issued by the commissioner.²⁵
• Remodeler: two or more special skills. "Residential remodeler" means a person in the business of contracting or offering to contract with an owner to improve existing residential real estate by providing two or more special skills as defined in this section.²⁹
• Roofer definition. "Residential roofer" means a person in the business of contracting, or offering to contract with an owner, to complete work on residential real estate in roof coverings, roof sheathing, roof weatherproofing and insulation, and repair of roof systems, but not construction of new roof systems.²⁹
• Residential real estate: one to four families, including detached garages. "Residential real estate" means a new or existing building constructed for habitation by one to four families, and includes detached garages.²⁹
• One-skill specialty contractors exempt. …specialty contractors who provide only one special skill as defined in section 326B.802…²⁵
• Mechanical contractors exempt from this license. …a mechanical contractor…²⁵
• Other statewide-licensed trades exempt when doing that trade. …a plumber, electrician, or other person whose profession is otherwise subject to statewide licensing, when engaged in the activity which is the subject of that licensure…²⁵
• Electricians must be licensed. Except as otherwise provided by law, no individual shall perform or supervise electrical work unless the individual is…²⁶
• Plumbers must be licensed. (a) No individual shall engage in or work at the business of a master plumber, restricted master plumber, journeyworker plumber, and restricted journeyworker plumber unless licensed to do so by the commissioner.²⁷
• Construction contractor registration. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), any person who provides or performs building construction or improvement services in the state of Minnesota must register with the commissioner as provided in this section before providing or performing building construction or improvement services.³⁰
• No residential license needed to build a storage shed. Residential building contractor, residential remodeler or residential roofing licenses are not required for the construction of a storage shed.²³

Handyman limits

Minn. Stat. § 326B.805, subd. 6(5)

• $15,000. …a person whose total gross annual receipts for performing specialty skills for which licensure would be required under this section do not exceed $15,000…²⁵
• Certificate of exemption required. To qualify for the exemption in clause (5), a person must obtain a certificate of exemption from licensure from the commissioner.²⁵
• Affidavit required to get the certificate. A certificate of exemption will be issued upon the applicant's filing with the commissioner, an affidavit stating that the applicant does not expect to exceed $15,000 in gross annual receipts derived from performing services which require licensure under this section during the calendar year in which the affidavit is received.²⁵
• Over the limit: surrender and apply for a license. If a person, operating under the exemption in clause (5), exceeds $15,000 in gross receipts during any calendar year, the person must immediately surrender the certificate of exemption and apply for the appropriate license.²⁵
• Gross annual receipts are not reduced by expenses. "Gross annual receipts" means the total amount derived from residential contracting or remodeling activities, regardless of where the activities are performed, and must not be reduced by cost of goods sold, expenses, losses, or any other amount.²⁹

Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections

Minn. Stat. § 15.99 (zoning-related requests); Minn. R. 1300.0120, subps. 8, 9, 11 (building permits)

• 60 days. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, section 462.358, subdivision 3b, or 473.175, or chapter 505, and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an agency must approve or deny within 60 days a written request relating to zoning, septic systems, watershed district review, soil and water conservation district review, or expansion of the metropolitan urban service area for a permit, license, or other governmental approval of an action.³¹
• Silence is approval. Failure of an agency to deny a request within 60 days is approval of the request.³¹
• Clock restart only with notice within 15 business days. If an agency receives a written request that does not contain all required information, the 60-day limit starts over only if the agency sends written notice within 15 business days of receipt of the request telling the requester what information is missing.³¹
• Building permit review: "reasonable time", no fixed number of days. The building official shall examine or cause to be examined applications for permits and amendments within a reasonable time after filing.²¹
• 180 days. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be considered abandoned 180 days after the date of filing, unless the application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued; except that the building official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 180 days each.²¹
• 180 days. Every permit issued expires unless the work authorized by the permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance.²¹
• 180 days. Any permit issued becomes invalid if the work authorized by the permit is suspended or abandoned for more than 180 days.²¹

Private plan review and inspections

Minn. Stat. §§ 326B.121 subd. 2(f), 326B.133

• Municipality may contract with qualified individuals or other municipalities. (f) A municipality may enforce the State Building Code by any means that are convenient and lawful, including entering into contracts with other municipalities under section 471.59 and with qualified individuals.²⁰
• Building official must be state-certified. A building official, to be eligible for designation, must be certified and have the experience in design, construction, and supervision which the commissioner deems necessary and must be generally informed on the quality and strength of building materials, accepted building construction requirements, and the nature of equipment and needs conducive to the safety, comfort, and convenience of building occupants.¹
• Municipalities may share a building official. Two or more municipalities may combine in the designation of a building official for the purpose of administering the provisions of the code within their communities.¹

Limits on permit fees

Minn. R. 1300.0160; Minn. Stat. §§ 326B.148, 326B.153

• Fees set locally. The applicant for a permit for a building; structure; or electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system or alterations requiring a permit shall pay the fee set forth by a fee schedule adopted by the municipality.²²
• Fees must be proportionate to cost. Fees established by the municipality must be by legal means and must be fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the actual cost of the service for which the fee is imposed.²²
• Building permit fees based on valuation. Building permit fees shall be based on valuation.²²
• Valuation includes materials and labor. Permit valuations shall include total value of all construction work, including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment, and permanent systems.²²
• Statutory schedule option. …the fee as set forth in the fee schedule in paragraph (b) or as adopted by a municipality; and (2) the surcharge required by section 326B.148.³²
• (1) $1 to $500, $29.50…³²
• (2) $501 to $2,000, $28 for the first $500 plus $3.70 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000…³²
• (3) $2,001 to $25,000, $83.50 for the first $2,000 plus $16.55 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000…³²
• (4) $25,001 to $50,000, $464.15 for the first $25,000 plus $12 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000…³²
• (5) $50,001 to $100,000, $764.15 for the first $50,000 plus $8.45 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000…³²
• (6) $100,001 to $500,000, $1,186.65 for the first $100,000 plus $6.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000…³²
• (7) $500,001 to $1,000,000, $3,886.65 for the first $500,000 plus $5.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000…³²
• (8) $1,000,001 and up, $6,636.65 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof.³²
• Plan review at 65 percent of the statutory permit fee. Fees for the review of building plans, specifications, and related documents submitted as required by section 326B.106 must be paid based on 65 percent of the building permit fee required in subdivision 1.³²
• State surcharge on valuation permits. …if the valuation of the structure, addition, or alteration is $1,000,000 or less, the surcharge is equivalent to one-half mill (.0005) of the valuation of the structure, addition, or alteration…³³
• State surcharge on fixed-fee permits. If the fee for the permit issued is fixed in amount the surcharge is equivalent to one-half mill (.0005) of the fee or $1, except that effective July 1, 2010, until June 30, 2015, the permit surcharge is equivalent to one-half mill (.0005) of the fee or $5, whichever amount is greater.³³
• Investigation fee capped at the permit fee. An investigation fee established by the municipality shall be collected whether or not a permit is issued and is in addition to the required permit fees, but it may not exceed the permit fee.²²
• $25. The permit fee is $25.³⁴

Selling a home with unpermitted work

Minn. Stat. §§ 513.52 to 513.60

• Written disclosure before signing. (a) Before signing an agreement to sell or transfer residential real property, the seller shall make a written disclosure to the prospective buyer.³⁵
• All known material facts that could significantly affect use and enjoyment. The disclosure must include all material facts of which the seller is aware that could adversely and significantly affect…³⁵
• Covers transfers of any interest in residential real estate. The seller disclosure requirements in sections 513.52 to 513.60 apply to the transfer of any interest in residential real estate, whether by sale, exchange, deed, contract for deed, lease with an option to purchase, or any other option.³⁶
• New, never-inhabited homes excepted. …a transfer of newly constructed residential property that has not been inhabited…³⁷
• Seller liable if aware and did not disclose. A seller who fails to make a disclosure as required by sections 513.52 to 513.60 and was aware of material facts pertaining to the real property is liable to the prospective buyer.³⁸
• 2 years. An action under this subdivision must be commenced within two years after the date on which the prospective buyer closed the purchase or transfer of the real property.³⁸
• Must correct before closing. A seller must notify the prospective buyer in writing as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event before closing, if the seller learns that the seller's disclosure required by section 513.55 was inaccurate.³⁹
• Parties can waive in writing. The written disclosure required under sections 513.52 to 513.60 may be waived if the seller and the prospective buyer agree in writing.⁴⁰

What local governments may change

Minn. Stat. § 326B.121, subds. 1, 1a, 2

• No different local building provisions. (c) A municipality must not by ordinance, or through development agreement, require building code provisions regulating components or systems of any structure that are different from any provision of the State Building Code.²⁰
• Geological exception. A municipality may, with the approval of the state building official, adopt an ordinance that is more restrictive than the State Building Code where geological conditions warrant a more restrictive ordinance.²⁰
• Zoning, subdivision and planning stay local. (g) Nothing in this subdivision prohibits a municipality from adopting ordinances relating to zoning, subdivision, or planning unless the ordinance conflicts with a provision of the State Building Code that regulates components or systems of any structure.²⁰
• 180 days. The local regulation may not require completion of exterior work earlier than 180 days following the issuance of the permit.²⁰
• City enforcement can extend up to 2 miles, with township permission. (d) A city may by ordinance and with permission of the township board extend the administration and enforcement of the code to contiguous unincorporated territory not more than two miles distant from its corporate limits in any direction if the code is not already administered and enforced in the territory.²⁰
• Fire Code: local ordinances may go further. However, nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit a local unit of government otherwise authorized by law from adopting or enforcing any ordinance or regulation which specifies requirements equal to, in addition to, or more stringent than the requirements of the State Fire Code.⁴¹

Solar permitting

Minn. R. 1300.0120; DLI solar PV fact sheet (Revised February 2022)

• Building permit where a municipality enforces the code. A building permit is required for all solar PV installations where the State Building Code is enforced by a municipality.⁴²
• Electrical permit also required. Electrical permits are also required for solar PV systems.⁴²
• Roof penetration for solar counts as residential roofing skill. …penetration of roof coverings for purposes of attaching a solar photovoltaic system.²⁹
• Solar support system assembly is an installation skill. …assembly of the support system for a solar photovoltaic system.²⁹

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)

• 300 square feet. …be no more than 300 gross square feet…⁴³
• Local accessory-use rules cannot bar a qualifying temporary dwelling. A temporary family health care dwelling that meets the requirements of this section cannot be prohibited by a local ordinance that regulates accessory uses or recreational vehicle parking or storage.⁴³
• 6 months. The initial temporary dwelling permit is valid for six months.⁴³
• City may opt out. A municipality may by ordinance opt-out of the requirements of this section.⁴³