Question 1

Why do I need a building permit?

Accepted Answer

Your township or city adopted the State Building Code to regulate construction, maintenance, and remodeling, helping ensure the safety and continued value of buildings where we live, work, and play. Permits are issued to make sure the work is done in compliance with the Building Code. Building projects may need one or more permits to be obtained BEFORE the work can begin. Some permits may also require a review to determine zoning and/ or building code compliance.

Question 2

What projects do I need a permit for?

Accepted Answer

In general, a permit is required for most construction projects where something is being built, repaired, replaced, or remodeled. You do not need a permit for projects where ONLY painting, wallpapering, and /or carpeting is being done. Below is a list of typical projects that require a permit. This is not a complete list, and you should contact Stensland Inspections at 651-436-7669 if you have questions.
New residential, public, and commercial building construction
Roofing and siding
Windows/Door replacement
Kitchen/Bath remodels
Basement/Attic remodel
Fireplaces
Decks and porches
Exterior stairs
Additions
Accessory Buildings and garages
Sheds/greenhouses/utility buildings over 200 sq ft
In ground swimming pools and above ground pools 24” deep or over 150sq ft in area
Demolition of a structure
Fences over 7 ft high
Plumbing work- new or alterations/replacements
Heating/Air conditioning- new and alterations/replacements
Electrical work
Sprinkler systems

Question 3

How much does a permit cost?

Accepted Answer

Permit fees vary by type of permit and are calculated using a variety of factors. Some permits, like residential roofing permits, have a flat fee. Visit the municipalities website that you are working in for fee schedules. Flat fees for express permits are as follows:

City of Afton: Includes Demolition Permit, Door/Window Replacement, Roofs, Siding, A/C, Water Heater, Furnace, Gas Lines, Fireplaces etc. Send applications to  Officeasst@ci.afton.mn.us at Afton City Hall where Credit Cards and checks are accepted.
Job Valuation:                $1 - $8000 = $140.00
                                              $8001 - $16000 = $260.00
                                              $16001 - $24000 = $380.00
                                              $24001 and up = $500.00

Denmark Township: Fee is $175.00 for work types including Demolition Permit, Door/Window Replacement, Roofs, Siding, A/C, Water Heater, Furnace, Gas Lines, Fireplaces etc. Applications must be made online at Home Page | Denmark Township, MN and are payable by Credit Card or by check.

City of Lakeland Shores: Fee is $155.00 for work types including Demolition Permit, Door/Window Replacement, Roofs, Siding, A/C, Water Heater, Furnace, Gas Lines, Fireplaces etc. Applications can be found online at Lakeland Shores  and are fees are payable by check. Checks should be payable to City of Lakeland Shores and mailed to PO Box 126 Lakeland, MN 55043. Permits will be issued and emailed out once the check is received.

City of Lake St. Croix Beach: Fee is $200.00 for work types including Demolition Permit, Door/Window Replacement, Roofs, Siding, A/C, Water Heater, Furnace, Gas Lines, Fireplaces etc. Applications can be found online at Lake St. Croix Beach, Minnesota and are payable by check or credit card. Contact City Hall at 651 436-7031 to arrange payment.

City of St. Mary’s Point: Fee is $200.00 for work types including Demolition Permit, Door/Window Replacement, Roofs, Siding, A/C, Water Heater, Furnace, Gas Lines, Fireplaces etc. Applications can be found online at City of St. Mary's Point, Minnesota and are payable by check. Checks should be payable to City of St. Mary’s Point and mailed to PO Box 126 Lakeland, MN 55043. Permits will be issued and emailed out once the check is received.

West Lakeland Township: Applications can be found online at West Lakeland Township  and permit fees are payable by check. Checks should be payable to West Lakeland Township and mailed to PO Box 126 Lakeland, MN 55043. Permits will be issued and emailed out once the check is received.

Work Types: A/C, Furnace, Water Heater, Gas Lines, Water Softener, Filtration Systems, Fireplaces, Simple Bathroom and Kitchen upgrades. Fee $155.00

Roof and siding Tear off and replacements, window and doors, ground mounted solar and building demolition. Fees are $190.00. Roof Mounted Solar = $240.00

Question 4

Do I have to be licensed to pull a permit?

Accepted Answer

If you are a homeowner living in the residence, you do not have to be licensed to perform work on your own home. Most contractors are required to be licensed. The State Department of Labor and Industry established the rules for licensing of contractors. If you are hiring a contractor to do the work, you should ask your contractor if they are licensed. Your city or inspector will verify the contractor’s licensing on the building permit applications.

Question 5

How do I apply for a permit?

Accepted Answer

Complete a permit application (found on the municipalities website which you are working in) and submit it with the required submittal documents. Project applications and documents should be sent to Stenslandinspections@gmail.com The type of work you are doing will determine what additional information is needed to process your permit. Most projects require a completed application, a site plan, and a set of construction plans with details. Flat fee projects (furnace, water heater, roofing, siding etc.) only require an application.

Once your application and project documents are received, a plan review will be done to confirm zoning and Building Code compliance. The plan review process will usually take 5-7 working days depending on the completeness of the submittal and how busy of a construction season it is. If your documents require corrections or are incomplete, the process may take longer. When the plan review is complete, you will be contacted so you can pay for your permit and have it emailed to you or picked up. Flat fee applications should be emailed or mailed with payment to PO Box 126 Lakeland, Mn 55043

Question 6

What is the purpose of the plan review?

Accepted Answer

The plan review determines compliance with the local ordinances and the applicable State Building Code. Most residential and all commercial construction projects require a plan review. However, some residential projects that don’t require a plan review are siding, roofing, windows and miscellaneous repairs. They still require a completed permit application. Most residential plumbing and mechanical permits do not require a plan review.

Question 7

Do I need any other permits besides a building permit?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the type of project. You may need a plumbing permit, mechanical permit, septic permit and electrical permit in addition to the Building Permit. Mechanical work refers to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems.

Septic permitting, inspections and historical records are done through Washington County please call (651) 430-6655 with inquiries or visit Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) | Washington County, MN - Official Website

Electrical permits should be obtained through the State. CONTACT STATE ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR DON EDEL AT (507) 210-8233 WITH QUESTIONS OR VISIT Electrical permits - homeowners | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

Question 8

What inspections are required?

Accepted Answer

Again, that depends on the type of project. Some of the more commonly required inspections are footing, foundation, framing, insulation, plumbing and heating. All projects require a final inspection. The permit applicant is responsible for calling for the inspections. Permits will expire after 180 days of inactivity unless inspector is notified of extenuating circumstances.

When you receive your permit, you will also receive a stamped red lined set of plans to be kept at the project site for inspector reference. The permit and the project plan must be on site and easy to find for the inspector.  If you are unsure of what inspections need to be done for your project, call the office before the work begins.

Question 9

How do I schedule inspections?

Accepted Answer

Call Stensland Inspections at 651-436-7669, if we are out of the office, please leave a message detailing the type of inspection needed, the project address, a contact name and phone number. We can also be reached at Stenslandinspections@gmail.com. Please plan to give a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for inspection requests.

Question 10

Do I have to be there for the inspection?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the project and the inspection. If we need access to your home to perform the inspection, someone over the age of 18 must be present while we perform the inspection.

Question 11

How will I know if the inspection passed?

Accepted Answer

The posted permit has a place for the inspector to sign off and date if the inspection passed or leave corrections. If it did not pass, the inspector will contact the permit holder describing the code violations. After corrections are made the permit holder will need to call for reinspection.

Question 12

Who is responsible for making sure the Building Code is followed?

Accepted Answer

The person/company who signs the permit application is responsible for following the building code. If you hire a contractor, the contractor must be licensed by the State. If you are the homeowner and perform the work yourself, you are responsible for following the building code.

A building inspection is done to verify that the work was code compliant at the time that the inspector viewed it. The purpose of the inspection is to check the construction to verify substantial code compliance at the time of inspection.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions