Minneapolis building department

Minneapolis Development Review (Community Planning & Economic Development) takes in construction permit applications for property inside city limits, and Construction Code Services handles plan review and building, plumbing and mechanical inspections. The Development Review service center in Room 220 of the Public Service Building is open Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Construction Code Services is in Room 320 of the same building.

Codes in effect

Minneapolis enforces the 2020 Minnesota State Building Code (residential, building, fire and existing-building codes effective March 31, 2020; mechanical and fuel gas April 6, 2020) and the 2024 Minnesota Commercial Energy Code (January 5, 2024).

Permit types and what is exempt

The City issues building, mechanical, plumbing, wrecking, moving, soil erosion (over 5,000 square feet disturbed) and street use permits. Electrical and elevator permits and electrical inspections come from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry; electrical permits filed on or after August 17, 2026 must meet the 2026 NEC. Plumbing permits cover new or replacement fixtures, water piping, water heaters and gas appliance connections.

Examples of work exempt from a permit (conditions in Minnesota Rules 1300.0120 apply):

• Freestanding decks, platforms and stoops under 30 inches high that are not attached to a structure with frost footings and do not serve the main entrance
• Fences no more than 7 feet high
• One-story tool and storage sheds under 200 square feet
• Gutters, soffits, fascia, trim, cabinets, countertops, flooring and paint
• In one- and two-family homes: replacing faucets, toilets, dishwashers and disposals, or repairing leaks, without altering the supply line or piping system

Emergency repairs may start before a permit, but the application is due the next business day.

How to apply

1. Email the fillable building permit application to Development Review. Owner applicants include a valid photo ID; do not attach plans.
2. A development coordinator opens the permit and emails a ProjectDox invitation.
3. Upload plans and documents in ProjectDox. Incomplete submittals get a “Resubmit Task” and are not routed for review.
4. Plans go to Construction Code Services, Zoning and Public Works as needed. The City estimates 15 business days for initial review and 5 business days for each resubmittal.
5. New construction and accessory dwelling units also require a land use application; zoning staff contact you if one is needed.
6. Pay when notified, then print and post the permit and approved plans on site.

Work on residential buildings with one to four units also requires a signed Construction Management Agreement uploaded to ProjectDox.

ProjectDox plan sets are uploaded one sheet per PDF, named by sheet number and title (for example, “A1 First Floor Plan”). Leave the top-right corner clear for the approval stamp, and do not mark sheets “Preliminary” or “Not for Construction.”

Express permits for contractors

Pre-approved licensed contractors can use the City’s express permit tool on existing one- and two-family homes for siding, same-size windows, reroofs, tuckpointing, water heaters, plumbing and gas fixtures, HVAC and dumpster street use permits.

Fees

Building permit fees are based on job valuation, including labor and materials. The total is the building permit fee plus a plan review fee of 65% of the permit fee plus the state surcharge (0.05% of valuation). The minimum building permit fee is $84.20. Fees are paid at issuance. Starting work before getting a permit can double the fees. If a permit is cancelled before work starts, the City keeps a $50 processing fee.

Who can pull a permit

• Owner-occupants of 1–4 unit dwellings may get permits for their own construction work. Corporations, LLCs and partnerships cannot. Owner-occupants of single-family homes may do their own plumbing and mechanical work, but not work on gas-fired heating equipment.
• Contractors must show a City residential specialty contractor license or a State residential building contractor, remodeler or roofer license. The City license covers one trade (excavation, masonry, carpentry, interior or exterior finishing, drywall and plaster, or general installation) and requires a $10,000 surety bond.
• The City also licenses gas fitters, HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration, steam and hot water, wrecking and sign trades.

Inspections

The permit holder schedules inspections directly with the inspector listed on the permit. Building, plumbing and mechanical inspectors are separate, and the inspection card and stamped plans must be on site. Key inspections:

Stage	When to call
Footing	Excavation, forms and rebar in place, before concrete; property corner pins visible
Under-slab	Rebar, embedded utilities and any radon system in place, before the pour
Rough plumbing and mechanical	Before concealment and before the framing inspection
Framing	After rough plumbing, heating and electrical are approved
Final	All work complete, address numbers visible, final grading done

Reroofing and residing jobs need only a final inspection. Approved finals appear in the City’s property information search.

Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy is required before a new building is occupied and whenever a building’s use or occupancy classification changes. Contact the Certificate of Occupancy office at 612-673-2327 or [email protected].

Truth in Sale of Housing

Single-family houses, duplexes, townhouses and first-time condo conversions need a Truth in Sale of Housing (TISH) evaluation by a City-licensed evaluator before they can be shown for sale. A new home’s Certificate of Occupancy substitutes for one sale. TISH: 612-673-5840, Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Historic properties

Alterations to locally designated landmarks and historic district properties need preservation approval; staff answer administrative applications within 15 business days, and decisions can be appealed within 10 days ($450).

Right-of-way work

• Obstruction permit: required to block a street, alley, lane or sidewalk. Apply on the City’s Roway system. The permit is free. Allow 48 hours’ notice for No Parking signs and 24 hours for meter hoods.
• Street use permit: required for a dumpster or storage container in the street. Only licensed contractors can apply; a container in your own driveway needs no permit.
• Sidewalk inspection permit: required for sidewalks, curbs, gutters, driveway aprons and curb ramps in the public right-of-way, plus a pre-construction meeting with the sidewalk inspector.