When do i need a building permit in minnesota

Source: Minnesota Administrative Rules Please note that although building permits may not be required, the City requires zoning review and you should always check with the City prior to beginning any construction activity.

Building codes, permits and inspections provide basic and uniform performance standards, establish reasonable safeguards for health, safety, welfare, comfort, and security of the residents of this state and provide for the use of modern methods, devices, materials, and techniques which will in part tend to lower construction costs.

Source: Minnesota Statues B. In Minnesota, a homeowner is allowed to work on their own home, as long as it is not being worked on with the intention to speculate on real estate.

According to MN Statue, speculation is evaluated using the following language: A residential building contractor or residential remodeler will be presumed to be building or improving for purposes of speculation if the contractor or remodeler constructs or improves more than one property within any month period. The City requires a waiver form in this situation.

No matter how handy you are, you aren't likely to know everything required by the building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical HVAC code. When you get a permit and required inspections, you'll have to show the building department your plans and workmanship. If the plan or your work is not code compliant, you will be asked to revise them. But if you never apply for a permit, you might go ahead with work that's dangerous or unsound.

Building done without a permit can mean that your insurance company may not honor your policy. A fire resulting from work without a permit could leave you without an insurance settlement. If someone falls off a deck that was built without a permit, your liability insurance may not cover the injuries.

Documentation that work and inspections were done in accordance with the code can add value when you sell your home. If you perform work without a permit, you can assume a potential buyer will know about it.

On-site building inspections will be conducted to verify that construction complies with the applicable codes. When you get your permit, Building Codes staff will let you know at what point s during the construction inspections are needed. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Apply for a Jump to subpage Local regulations vary, but generally you will need a building permit for any new construction, reconstruction, or structural change to an existing building in Minnesota.

This can include detached structures such as fences and decks, but not always. Substantial electrical and plumbing work will also usually require a permit, but again it depends on the city where you are located and the nature of the work you plan to undertake. In addition to building permits, you may need to get a zoning permit before you can start your project. For larger projects, you will almost certainly need to obtain both a zoning permit and a building permit before you can start construction, but some small projects may require only a zoning permit and not a building permit.

For instance while Grand Rapids requires you to get a zoning permit before constructing any type of fence, Rochester only requires a zoning permit for fences of a certain size. Neither city requires you to get a building permit before building the fence, but Minneapolis requires both a zoning permit and building permit for fences more than six feet high.

Because regulations can vary so much, it is important to check with your local city building division to see what permits may be required before starting any construction project.