Construction Services & Inspections

Interior Remodels

Plans supplied with your permit application need to be legible, accurate, dimensioned, and drawn to scale (Like ¼” = 1’). The floor plans need to clearly show the existing floor plan and what the proposed floor plan would look like. Include all floor levels that are affected by your project.

For example: if a wall is being removed and a beam is being installed, the posts needed to support the two ends of the beam all the way to the foundation must be included in your plans. Each floor below the level of wall removal should be shown with the new posts indicated. A new footing may need to be installed in the basement level if proper footings for the posts do not currently exist.

Our sample plans show what is expected to be submitted with your permit application. The information provided on the plans help the Plans Examiner determine if the project will meet Minnesota Residential Code minimums. Basic code requirements can be found in our residential code summary  

Adding a Bedroom requires the following:

• A building permit
• A new smoke/or CO alarm
• A code compliant egress window
• An electrical permit (if applicable)

Provide documentation from the window supplier that the window meets egress and energy code requirements when applying for the building permit. The electrical permit is obtained from the State of Minnesota.

Adding or Remodeling a Bathroom 

Fixtures and finishes can be upgraded without a permit if all items are a like for like exchange. If a shower is replacing the current tub, then a building permit is needed.

If a building permit is required, bathroom remodels usually need the following:

• Plumbing permit
• Electrical permit
• HVAC permit for the draw out fan

A fully dimensioned plan is needed to determine if the project has the code required clearances.

Kitchen Remodels may or may not need a building permit. Cabinets, countertops, and painting can be done without a permit.

If the plaster or sheetrock is being removed as part of the kitchen remodel, then a building permit is needed. Removing walls will need plans that show existing and proposed layout.

In addition to plans and the building permit, kitchen remodels usually need:

• Plumbing permit 
• Electrical permit
• HVAC permit for the stove hood

Remodel Attic into living space has some special requirements:

• A code compliant stairway is needed from the existing living space to the new living space in the attic.
• Code compliant headroom is needed in both the stairwell and in the attic.
• A window is needed in the new habitable space, for light ventilation and egress.
• Electrical permit (if applicable)
• Plumbing permit (if applicable)
• HVAC permit (if applicable)

If a bedroom is part of the project, follow the new bedroom requirements in addition the the attic requirements.

Remodeling a Basement follows the same requirements for an attic. Additionally, the Window Well Form may be needed in order to have a code compliant egress window. If a window well is being installed, a site plan is needed. Any wood touching concrete or masonry would need to be treated or naturally decay resistant (Like Cedar)

Repairs that involve structural elements to a building need to submit detailed plans showing what element is being repaired or replaced.

Structural elements such as posts, beam, joists or rafters need to comply with the current residential building code or plans need to be designed, stamped, and signed by a structural engineer.

Replacements that are not structural may be able to use one of the express permits on ePlace. These permits do not require structural plans.

The following may be covered by an express permit:

• Removing & replacing siding,
• replacing windows in existing openings,
• removing & replacing roofing 
• Removing and replacing sheetrock (depending on the scope of work)

The description of the work should be very clear if plans are not submitted. For example: "Remove and replace sheetrock on all kitchen walls and ceiling to facilitate a kitchen remodel."

Any building in addition to the home (Primary building) is an accessory building. These can be utility buildings, garages, pole buildings, an accessory dwelling unit, or a combination of a garage & dwelling unit. Anytime a building is being designed to be habitable (Having a human being live, sleep, eat or cook in it) the building has to be designed to the same standards as a house for energy efficiency and air quality. Any building that will be heated needs to adhere to the Minnesota Energy Code.

One-story detached accessory structures, used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, where floor area does not exceed 200 square feet, do not require a building permit. However, you will still need to meet minimum zoning required setbacks. 

Standard detached garages over 200 square feet, and less than 1500 square feet should follow the requirements set out on our garage page. If the building is beyond a simple garage or it has storage on the second level which exceeds 1/3 the floor area of the first level, then use the standard requirements needed for a new residential building.

A Habitable Accessory Structure can be a separate structure or can be built as part of a detached garage. Zoning rules limit the size to 800 square feet for an accessory dwelling unit in R zone district. This building would need to follow the same requirements a any new dwelling. Please follow the Comprehensive Residential Checklist for a list of items that will need to be submitted with your permit application. Each new dwelling unit needs to submit a Capacity Availability Fee (CAF) of $940 per unit. The CAF is collected by the City of Duluth for WLSSD, our sewage treatment utility

Pole and Post Frame Buildings do not meet the prescriptive requirements of the MN Building Code. These types of structures must be designed to meet performance-based design requirements. Pole or Post frame building plans must be prepared and stamped by a structural engineer licensed in Minnesota. Many suppliers of post frame building kits have engineers on staff that can provide this service for you. Stamped plans and a site plan based on a survey are needed for pole building permit application.

Landscaping on residential properties generally does not need a permit. if the landscaping involves an accessory building over 200 square feet, a deck, or something similar, a permit may be needed.

Whenever you dig, you should know the location of your property line & contact Gopher One to locate any utilities running through your property, prior to breaking ground.

Fill & Grade permits are needed when:

• the volume of fill (Dirt, rocks, soil) exceeds 10 cubic yards (About a large dump truck full)
• if you are filling in over two feet in depth at any point on your property

Fill with or without a permit cannot obstruct a drainage course. Drainage across property lines cannot exceed that which existed prior to any project.

Retaining walls over four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall need a building permit, or any retaining wall, regardless of height, that is supporting a surcharge (such as a driveway or a building). Plans for retaining walls will need to be stamped by a structural engineer licensed in Minnesota.

Shoreland Permits are the way we facilitate Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requirements. When a project is within 300 feet of a body of water, special precautions are taken (Such as erosion control permits) to prevent damage to the nearby waterway. When applying for a permit on eplace, a notification will inform you that the project is in a shoreland and therefore a shoreland permit must also be applied for.

Fence – A zoning permit is required for all fences over four feet in height. A building permit is required for all fences over seven feet in height in addition to a zoning permit. If a proposed fence is over seven feet in height, the plans will need to be stamped by a structural engineer licensed in Minnesota.