Blue Earth County, MN — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Blue Earth County Property and Environmental Resources, Property and Land / Planning and Zoning

Street address

410 S. 5th St., Mankato, MN 56001

Phone

(507) 304-4251

Coverage

Unincorporated Blue Earth County only. The county states it does not issue construction permits within city limits or within Lime Township and Mankato Township.

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Blue Earth County

Required outside city limits when building a structure, moving a structure, adding onto a structure, including decks, or making a structural alteration including roof line changes or excavation for footings, foundations, slabs, basements, or other parts of a structure.

Scope of work

Permit?

Typical structure maintenance like re-shingling, re-siding, and replacing windows and doors does not require a county construction permit.

Exempt

Exempt Typical structure maintenance like re-shingling, re-siding, and replacing windows and doors does not require a county construction permit.

Permit validity: 1 year.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Up to 10 business days from application to issuance, sometimes longer.

01

Confirm the parcel is outside city limits and outside the township areas handled by Mankato.
02

Contact Property and Environmental Resources to confirm the permit type and any zoning issues.
03

Submit the application for county review.
04

County reviews setbacks and zoning compliance.
05

Permit is issued after review.

Typical processing time: Up to 10 business days from application to issuance, sometimes longer.

Source: Blue Earth County Property and Environmental Resources, Property and Land / Planning and Zoning ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Blue Earth County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Construction - Accessory Building $100

Permit fee formula

Flat fee by permit class on the county page reviewed

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Inspection hours: County office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Blue Earth County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Blue Earth County, MN? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Blue Earth County, MN? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Blue Earth County, MN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Construction - Accessory Building $100. Fees are calculated as: Flat fee by permit class on the county page reviewed.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Blue Earth County, MN? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Blue Earth County, MN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel is outside city limits and outside the township areas handled by Mankato. 2. Contact Property and Environmental Resources to confirm the permit type and any zoning issues. 3. Submit the application for county review. 4. County reviews setbacks and zoning compliance. 5. Permit is issued after review.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Blue Earth County, MN? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Blue Earth County, MN typically run Up to 10 business days from application to issuance, sometimes longer.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Blue Earth County, MN? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Blue Earth County, MN. The following work is generally exempt: Typical structure maintenance like re-shingling, re-siding, and replacing windows and doors does not require a county construction permit.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

last verified April 2026 source Blue Earth County Property and Environmental Resources, Property and Land / Planning and Zoning ↗ entry id permits/minnesota/blue-earth/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Blue Earth County Property and Environmental Resources, Property and Land / Planning and Zoning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.