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County building permits

Unincorporated Big Stone County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Big Stone County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Big Stone County Environmental Services

Street address
843 O'Neill Street, Ortonville, MN 56278
Coverage
Permits required outside the corporate limits of municipalities.
Online portal
Permit Finder GIS
ArcGIS Web Application
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Big Stone County

Required for all new construction, all structures moved and all structures replaced, all individual on-site sewage treatment systems, and excavations in excess of 50 cubic yards or 10 cubic yards in shoreland areas.

Note: A published list of exempt work types was not located for the county land use permit program.

Required documents
  • Dwelling/commercial form with applicant name, parcel ID, contact details, project description, contractor name and phone, lot dimensions, project cost, setbacks, floodplain status, walkout basement status, elevation data, and landowner signature
  • Accessory structure form with similar site and setback details
Permit validity
Dwelling/commercial permit expires one year from approval date unless an extension is granted. Accessory permit work may not begin until approved and signed.
Contractor requirements
Contractor name and phone are requested on the form; no public contractor registration rule was located.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Use the Permit Finder GIS application or obtain a form from the Environmental Office.
  2. 02
    Complete the application form and submit it to the Environmental Office for review.
  3. 03
    Receive county approval and signature before starting construction.

Source: Big Stone County Environmental Services ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Big Stone County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100 for accessory building permits; $200 for dwelling/commercial building permits
02
Permit fee formula
Flat permit fees are published on the county fee table; no detailed ICC formula was located in the research.
03
Reinspection fee
Any permit after the fact: $200

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Inspection hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical sequence: Application, county review, approval/signature, permit issuance, construction, and county inspection where applicable.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Big Stone County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Big Stone County, MN?
Required for all new construction, all structures moved and all structures replaced, all individual on-site sewage treatment systems, and excavations in excess of 50 cubic yards or 10 cubic yards in shoreland areas.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Big Stone County, MN?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Big Stone County, MN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100 for accessory building permits; $200 for dwelling/commercial building permits. Fees are calculated as: Flat permit fees are published on the county fee table; no detailed ICC formula was located in the research..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Big Stone County, MN?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Big Stone County, MN, follow these steps: 1. Use the Permit Finder GIS application or obtain a form from the Environmental Office. 2. Complete the application form and submit it to the Environmental Office for review. 3. Receive county approval and signature before starting construction.
last verified April 2026 source Big Stone County Environmental Services ↗ entry id permits/minnesota/big-stone/unincorporated

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Big Stone County Environmental Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.