Construction Services & Inspections

Prior to completing your application on ePlace, you will need to have the following documents in PDF format:

• Boundary Survey - Legal document showing property lines of a parcel. See Residential Survey and Site Plan Packet
• Site Plan - showing property lines, zoning setbacks, construction location, and other site elements.
• Complete Building Plans - drawings, notes, and other documents that show how the building will be constructed. These plans must be:
  • Drawn to scale (i.e. 1/4 inch = 1 foot)
  • Clear and legible 
  • If hand drawn, use graph paper or a ruler
  • See our sample drawings as an example
• Other documentation as required for your specific project. See the Comprehensive Residential Checklist for the complete list.

• If your project is in close proximity to a creek or shoreline or located in a wetland or flood hazard area, it may be subject to additional regulations and require additional permits or special approvals.
• In addition to complying with the Minnesota Building Code, your project must comply with the Duluth Unified Development (Zoning) Code, Minnesota Fire Code, and Duluth Engineering ordinances and policies.
• Accessory buildings (like a detached garage, large shed, pole barn, etc.) will always need a separate building permit.
• Decks may be built under the building permit, but if you plan to build a deck after your home is complete, you will need to apply for a separate deck permit.

A building permit typically has the following fees:

• Building Permit Fee covers expenses related to the processing of your application and inspections.  
• Plan Review Fee cover expenses related to the review of your building plans. This fee is 65% of your Building Permit Fee.
• State Surcharge Fee is added to all projects. This fee is collected by the State of Minnesota for all projects covered under the Minnesota State Building Code.
• New dwelling units are additionally charged a Capacity Availability Fee (CAF). This fee is $940 per dwelling unit and goes to WLSSD for additional sewage processing. More information on the CAF fee is found here. CAF fee is not charged if your property has a septic system.

These fees (with the exception of the CAF fee) are based on the valuation of the project (materials and labor).

Valuation for residential projects is determined using a per square foot value from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. The value per square foot is different for foundation, living areas, finished or unfinished basements, attached garages, decks, etc. Your projects value is determined by adding the valuation of these areas together. See our Residential Valuation Schedule for more information. 

To calculate the total fee for your project see our Fee Schedule for Permits or use our Fee Calculator.

Each separate permit for your project (HVAC, Plumbing, Erosion Control, Shoreland, etc.) will have separate fees.

Document Library has a comprehensive list of all CSI handouts.

Residential Code Requirements summary should help you prepare your plans. The entirety of the Minnesota State Building Code is available on the MN Department of Labor website.

Stair Section handout can help you design your stairs.

Engineered Drawings & Engineered Product Design -  If part of your project cannot be reviewed within the prescriptive requirements of the MN Residential Building Code, a structural engineer licensed in the State of Minnesota may be required to stamp and sign structural plans.

Roof and Floor Truss Shop Drawings - These can be submitted later on in the permit process unless the Plans Examiner determines they are necessary to complete the review.

Deck Plans can be submitted with your application.

Special Approvals - If your project requires approval from Planning Commission or the City Council, you will need to submit proof of approval when you apply for your building permit.

Residential Design Guidelines for Additions on Posts 120 SF or less - Tables provide minimum sizes for footings, beams and joists.

Helical Pile Specification and Installer Designation Form - For helical piles on all decks and additions under 120 square feet. Decks and additions over 120 square feet requires engineered design.

Residential Header & Girder span Requirements - Use this chart to find code compliant headers, and list them on the plans next to door and window openings.

Residential Emergency Egress and Rescue Openings - To allow escape and rescue in case of a fire in your home, MN Building Code requires egress and rescue windows. 

Residential Smoke Alarms and CO Detectors - Smoke alarms and CO detectors save lives and are required by the MN Building Code. 

Once your permit is issued, print in color and to scale all of the documents in the Attachments section on your permit in ePlace. Permits become invalid if there is no activity for 180 days. Call for inspections to document that your project is active and valid. Your inspector's contact information is printed on your permit. 

Please see the Residential Permit Holder Responsibilities document and the Inspections page for more information about what inspections will be required and how to schedule an inspection.

A Certificate of Occupancy must be issued prior to occupancy of your new home. All inspections on all permits associated with your project must be completed before the inspector will issue a Certificate of Occupancy.

If you have a private well or sewage system, you will need certifications from the government agency overseeing those items before the Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.