Permits, Inspections & City Contractor Licenses

  1. Building Permits
  2. City Contractor License
  3. Online Permit Portal FAQs
  4. Fire Safety Permits

Apply for Building Permits

Prior to starting any building or development activity at your residence or business, review the information on this page for building permits and contractor license requirements.

Have what you need and ready to apply for a permit?

Click here to access our Online Permits Portal


Commercial & Multi-Family Development - Building Permits & Site Plan Requirements by Permit Type

Site Plans are required for the following types of permit applications.  
All commercial and multi-family development permits, including:


Residential Development - Building Permits & Site Plan Requirements by Permit Type

Application Process for Building Permits 

  1. Please review the information above to determine if your development activity requires a site plan. If you are unsure, email the Inspections Department or call 651-450-2550. 
  2. If you are a contractor and are applying for a permit that requires a city contractor license, download and complete the Contractor License Application and Certificate of Insurance forms.
    A city license is required for contractors performing the following types of work: Mechanical, Excavation, Pools, Fences, Signs, Masonry, General Commercial, General Residential (over four units), Commercial Cooking Ventilation Systems / Hood Cleaning. Contractor licenses are valid for the calendar year.
  3. Create an account on the Online Permits Portal or log into your existing portal account.
    Please note: You must be a licensed contractor, homeowner, or homesteader to apply for a permit. Inspections staff will verify ownership and/or required licensing when processing a permit application.
  4. Log on to the Online Permits Portal, select the permit you are applying for, and complete the associated application form on the portal. 
  5. Submit the permit application, Contractor License Application and Certificate of Insurance, and downloaded applications (if applicable to Step 3) through the portal once completed.
    Please note: Each permit must be applied for individually. 
  6. The Inspections Department performs all building, mechanical, plumbing and utility inspections based on the Inspection Requirement Checklist. To schedule your inspection, email the Inspections Department or call 651-450-2550. All electrical inspections are scheduled with the State Electrical Inspector Gary Pederson at 952-431-3565.
  7. Permits will be reviewed within the approximate processing times. All submittal documents must be received at the time of application to meet this timeframe. This process can take longer if corrections are required during the plan review.
    • Permits without a site plan: 3 days 
    • Residential development site plan review: 10 days
    • Commercial development site plan plan review: 20 days
  8. You will receive an email notification from the Online Permits Portal once your permit review is complete. This email will include a link with how to submit payment. Payment types accepted online include e-Check/Bank Account, Visa or Mastercard Debit Card, and Visa, Mastercard or Discover Credit Card. Once approved, multiple permits and Contractor License can be paid for at one time. Please note: The maximum credit card transaction amount paid through the Online Permits Portal is $5,000 and the maximum e-Check transaction amount paid through the Portal is $25,000.

Building Permit and Development Fees

Questions

If you have questions, please contact us Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you. 

  • For questions related to building permits applications or the Online Permits Portal, email the City Inspection Department or call 651-450-2550.
  • For questions related to fire permits, call the City Fire Marshal at 651-450-2547.
  • For questions related to electrical permits, contact the State Electrical Inspector at 952-431-3565.