Building Inspections

The Building Division of Community Development’s primary purpose is to ensure that the new construction of buildings within the City meets minimum standards for public safety, as regulated by International, National and State Codes. The department works with homeowners and contractors to provide the following services:

• Plan reviews
• Rental Housing licensing
• Building inspections
• Building permits

If you have a question about whether your construction requires a permit, please call the Building Department at (218) 454-5113.

New House & Attached Garage:

• All construction must meet current codes as described in MN Residential Code 1309
• Setbacks: Front = 40’, Sides = 10’ Rear = 30’ / Shore land properties have additional standards
• Lot pins must be exposed for site inspection.
• Elevation of foundation: Check with Public Works, and grade must taper a minimum of 6 inches in the first ten feet.
• A septic design is required if not on city water and sewer
• Max garage door height is 9 feet and must meet the 90 mph wind load
• If installed, garage floor drains must be routed to daylight
• Plan submittal: Two full size sets, which include a site plan, all elevations, plan view of all floors, cross sections of house, garage and any emergency egress openings, energy code compliance information. The plans must include all materials and dimensions, header sizes, wall bracing details, foundation and radon type, (ICF users label flat, waffle, screen), rebar size and location.
• Permit/plan review: submit plans as described above, complete application form, plan review deposit (check with the bldg. dept. for amount). Plan for a minimum of a 2 week review time.
• These permit fees are based on the valuation, call the bldg. dept. for a quote
• Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
• The required inspections must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead.
• Water meters must be requested for at least 24 in advance. The remote wire must be routed to the exterior of the building prior to CO
• A CO is required prior to occupancy, (occupancy includes any personal belongings in the structure)
• All landscaping must be complete prior to a CO or a $1500.00 escrow will need to be deposited with the city. A $75.00 admin fee will be charged.

 

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Addition:

• All construction must meet current codes as described in MN Residential Code 1309
• Setbacks: Front = 40’, Sides = 10’ Rear = 30’/ Shore land properties have additional standards
• Lot pins must be exposed for site inspection.
• Elevation of foundation: Check with Public Works, and grade must taper a minimum of 6 inches in the first ten feet.
• A septic certificate of compliance will be needed if not on city water and sewer and the previous inspection is more than 3 years old.
• Plan submittal: Two full size sets, which include a site plan, all elevations, plan view of all floors, cross sections of house, garage and any emergency egress openings, energy code compliance information. The plans must include all materials and dimensions, header sizes, wall bracing details, foundation type. Radon will only be required if the house was built with it.
• Permit/plan review: submit plans as described above, complete application form, plan review deposit (check with the bldg. dept. for amount). Plan for a minimum of a 2 week review time.
• These permit fees are based on the valuation, call the bldg. dept. for a quote
• Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
• The required inspections must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead
• A final inspection must be completed prior to occupancy which includes personal belongings.

 

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Finished Basement:

• All construction must meet current codes as described in MN Residential Code 1309
• A septic certificate of compliance will be needed if not on city water and sewer and the previous inspection is more than 3 years old.
• Plan submittal: Two full size sets which include, floor plan of basement showing all materials, dimensions, location of smoke and co detectors. Emergency egress cross section. Energy code compliance information.
• Permit/plan review: submit plans as described above, complete application form, plan review deposit (check with the bldg. dept. for amount). Plan for a minimum of a 2 week review time
• These permit fees are based on the valuation, call the bldg. dept. for a quote
• Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
• The required inspections must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead
• A final inspection must be completed prior to occupancy which includes personal belongings.

 

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Detached Garage or accessory buildings

• All construction must meet current codes as described in MN Residential Code 1309
• A septic certificate of compliance will be needed if not on city water and sewer and the previous inspection is more than 3 years old.
• Setbacks: Front = 40’, Sides = 10’ Rear = 30’ and 5’ minimum to another structure without a firewall. Shore land properties have additional standards
• Lot pins must be exposed for site inspection
• Elevation of foundation: Grade must taper a minimum of 6 inches in the first ten feet.
• Garage height cannot exceed the height of the house
• Siding materials must be similar to the siding on the house
• Plan submittal: Two full size sets, which include a site plan, all elevations. The plans must include all materials and dimensions, header sizes, wall bracing details, foundation type.
• Permit/plan review: submit plans as described above, complete application form, plan review deposit (check with the bldg. dept. for amount). Plan for a minimum of a 2 week review time
• Garage permit fees are based on the valuation, call the bldg. dept. for a quote
• Separate permits are required for electrical and mechanical
• Max garage door height is 9 feet and must meet the 90 mph wind load
• If installed, garage floor drains must be routed to daylight
• The required inspections must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead
• A final inspection must be completed prior to occupancy, which includes personal belongings.

 

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Shed:

• Sheds less than 120 sq. ft. need a zoning permit only
• Sheds over 120 sq. ft., follow the same process as a detached garage.
• Setbacks are 10 feet from side and rear lot lines
• Shore land properties have additional standards

 

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Remodel:

• All construction must meet current codes as described in MN Residential Code 1309
• A septic certificate of compliance will be needed if not on city water and sewer and the previous inspection is more than 3 years old.
• Plan submittal: Two full size sets, which include a site plan, all elevations. The plans must include all materials and dimensions, header sizes, wall bracing details, foundation type.
• Permit/plan review: submit plans as described above, complete application form, plan review deposit (check with the bldg. dept. for amount). Plan for a minimum of a 2 week review time
• Remodel permit fees are based on the valuation, call the bldg. dept. for a quote
• Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
• The required inspections must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead
• A final inspection must be completed prior to occupancy, which includes personal belongings

 

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Reroof:

• All construction must meet current codes as described in MN Residential Code 1309
• Re-roof permits are “over the counter” they can be issued the day of receipt
• This is a $75.00 fixed fee permit
• Weather guard must be installed from the eave line a minimum of 24 inches past the exterior wall measured horizontally.
• Flashing and drip edge must be installed according to IRC 905.2.8
• Inspections: Tear off and Final are required
• The required inspections must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead

 

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Reside:

• All construction must meet current codes as described in MN Residential Code 1309
• Re-side permits are “over the counter” they can be issued the day of receipt
• This is an $80.00 fixed fee permit
• A weather barrier must be installed where not initially placed.
• Flashing must be installed per IRC 703.8
• Inspections: Tear off (weather barrier) and Final are required
• The required inspections must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead

 

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Fence:

• Fences six feet and under require a zoning permit only
• All fences over six feet require a building permit only
• Lot pins must be exposed for site inspection

 

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Windows:

• All construction must meet current codes as described in MN Residential Code 1309
• Window permits are “over the counter” they can be issued the day of receipt
• Window permit fees are based on the valuation, call the bldg. dept. for a quote
• Windows must be installed per the manufacturer’s instructions or the IRC
• To meet the energy code requirements the U value of all windows shall be a minimum of 34. This information shall be made available for inspection purposes
• Pan flashing shall be installed per IRC 703.8.1
• Inspections: At the time of install to verify flashing and insulation
• The required inspection must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead

 

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Mechanical:

• All construction must meet current codes as described in ASHRAE 90.1-2004 and the International Mechanical Code 2006
• Mechanical permits are “over the counter” they can be issued the day of receipt.
• Mechanical permit fees are based on valuation, call the bldg. dept. for a quote
• Inspections for new construction: Rough in, 25 lb. gas line air test, Final manometer
• Inspections for furnace replacement: final manometer
• If CSST is being used ensure a bond clamp is installed per the mfg instructions
• Air conditioners require a permit and a final inspection
• The required inspection must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead

 

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Plumbing:

• All construction must meet current code as described in MN Plumbing Code 4715
• Plumbing permits are “over the counter” and can be issued the day of receipt
• Permit fees are a based on the number of fixtures, please call the bldg. dept. for a quote
• Inspections for new construction: underground 5 lb. air test, Rough in 5 lb. air test and a final manometer.
• Inspections for remodel: same as new construction, depending on the extent of the work.
• The required inspection must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead

 

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Electrical:

• All construction must meet current code as described in the 2011 Electrical Code.
• Applications and permits are handled through the city bldg. dept.
• All inspections are scheduled through the city bldg. dept. (218)454-5113
• The required inspection must be called a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Inspections are scheduled first come first serve, so you may not get an inspection in 24 hours so plan ahead