Construction Services & Inspections

• You might want to contact the City’s Economic Developers to discuss financial programs that could help with your development, or for referrals to other agencies that can help with business planning and strategies.
• Determine whether you will hire an architect (aka design professional). An architect will help you with the entire planning, design, and construction process, and can help you select the best site for your business and your budget. If your project will include a new building or any changes to an existing building or its systems, or if you are changing the use of the building or space, Minnesota statutes likely require that an architect design the work. Consider involving an architect early in your planning. Information about when an architect is required and their role in the project is available here.
• Find out what the code requirements and development standards are for your project. This is the point where your design professional can help you understand how building codes and site development regulations will impact the work you need to do to make your project compliant, and from there what costs to anticipate.
• Determine whether any special processes are required for zoning and land use approval, such as a variance, special use permit, or other action by the Planning Commission or City Council. You can schedule a Planning Pre-Application Meeting with Planning staff who can help you understand the applicable standards and the process. Contact Planning to schedule a meeting.
• Once you know what it will take to comply with land use regulations, your architect can begin developing the design for your project. Before this plan is finalized, we recommend that your architect schedule a Construction Services Pre-Code Review Meeting to introduce the project to building plan reviewers, ask code related questions, and make sure all are on the same page about code requirements. Your design professional can schedule your pre-review meeting to help with a more efficient plan review process.

Your architect will prepare plans showing the design and construction details for the project. These plans and details instruct the builder how to build the design you and your architect have determined for your project. Construction documents also show plan reviewers and inspectors how the project will be constructed to comply with applicable codes. The Forms and Submittals page explains the applications, forms, plans, and other items that need to be submitted with your permit application. Permits are applied for on ePlace. 

After a complete submission is received, plan review is the next step. During this process the Plan Examiner may request more information. Having plans that clearly comply with the Minnesota Building Code is needed prior to the Plans Examiners stamping the construction documents.

After all reviews have been completed and all fees have been paid, the Permit Coordinator will issue the permit. The applicant will get notified to go to their ePlace account and download all items that are available on-line. These items need to printed to scale in in color and placed on-site readily available for the inspector. Applicants should be aware of Commercial Permit Holder Responsibilities to have a smooth-running project.

Pre-construction meetings with the construction, design and development team and the City’s team help projects run more smoothly. The location and agenda for the pre-construction meeting is dependent on the size & type of the construction project. For large projects, we hold meetings at City Hall. This meeting is an opportunity to introduce everyone involved in the project. Expectations for inspections, meetings, special inspections, delayed submittals, shop drawings, and plan changes are some of the topics discussed at the pre-construction meeting. The permit holder is responsible for requesting inspections a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the time desired. The name and phone number of the inspector assigned to the project will be listed on the Plan Review Comment Sheet and on the permit. Construction meetings after the initial pre-construction meeting may include a framing sequencing meeting or a pre-final meeting. Required meetings are determined early on in the project and will be coordinated by the construction inspector. We use a specific process for review of changes to the plans or for submitting delayed items. This ensures that we track and review changes in a timely manner so that construction is not delayed. Learn how to submit plan changes after the permit is issued here

Other city work groups besides Construction Services may need to perform inspections during construction and prior to the issue of the Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion. You should find this information in the approval documents issued with the permit. The permit holder is responsible to schedule inspections. The Fire Marshal will inspect the mechanics of the sprinkler system, fire command center, fire department connection, and other fire code required components. The Planning division may need to inspect landscaping, lighting, or equipment screening to verify compliance with the zoning code and with Planning Commission conditions of approval. The Engineering Department may need to inspect utility extensions or storm water systems.

The Process to final a permit starts At the pre-final meeting, we discuss items needed for a successful final inspection. You will receive a pre-test confirmation checklist to document the pre-testing of the HVAC, alarms, and other systems to promote greater success at final inspection. Any questions regarding the final inspection should be directed to the construction inspector assigned to your project. The building, fire, and zoning codes require that a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is issued prior to occupancy of a building. When a building is new or it changes occupancy, the construction inspector will initiate issuance of a C of O after the final inspection. This process may take up to three business days. It will be emailed it to the person who requested it, unless a hard copy is specifically requested. A Letter of Completion states that the permitted work has been completed when a Certificate of Occupancy is not needed, and will be initiated by the construction inspector after final inspections are complete.