County Building Permits
Carver County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Carver County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Minnesota Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
Carver County administers building permits and zoning for unincorporated county territory and all ten townships. Building plan review and inspections are handled for the county through Metro West Inspection Services, Inc.
- Department
- Carver County Land Management
- Address
- 600 E 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318
- Phone
- 952-361-1800
Application Process
- Confirm zoning and land use requirements with Carver County Land Management for the unincorporated parcel.
- Complete the county permit application and assemble plans, specs, and any engineered drawings required by the building official.
- Submit the completed application and supporting documents to Carver County Land Management; incomplete applications delay review.
- Pay permit and plan review fees through the county.
- County review is coordinated with Metro West Inspection Services for code review.
- Once approved and paid, the permit is issued.
- Schedule inspections at least 24 hours in advance with Metro West Inspection Services.
Source: Carver County Land Management
General Requirements
Permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy or use of a building, and for regulated gas, mechanical, or plumbing work.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- plans
- specifications
- and engineered plans when required by the building official.
- Permit validity
- Applications expire if incomplete or unpaid after 180 days. Issued permits expire if work does not start within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days. Renewal is half the original permit fee plus a $5 state surcharge.
- Building code
- Minnesota State Building Code; the county's posted overview letter still references the 2015 Minnesota State Building Code, so applicants should confirm the current code edition at submittal.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may apply when allowed by Minnesota rules, but county materials do not provide a separate owner-builder handout on the reviewed page.
- Contractor requirements
- Work must comply with Minnesota contractor licensing rules; county materials route electrical work to the state where applicable.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- Additional plan review fees apply; revised plans also trigger an additional review fee
- Permit fee formula
- Building permit fees are valuation based under the county fee schedule; other permit types may be flat or category based
- Reinspection fee
- Reinspection fees may apply when work is not ready at the scheduled inspection; replacement inspection card fee is $30; expired permits require renewal fee plus surcharge
- Payment note
- County materials state unpaid completed applications expire after 180 days
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 200 square feet
- Fences not over 7 feet high
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or certain liquids
- Sidewalks and driveways not part of an accessible route
- Decks and platforms not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not attached to a structure with frost footings, and not part of an accessible route
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Above-ground prefabricated pools within listed size limits
- Certain portable gas and mechanical equipment listed in the county code overview letter
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 763-479-1720 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; minimum 24 hours advance notice
Typical inspection sequence: Footing/foundation, framing and rough-ins, insulation or other trade stages as applicable, and final inspection or certificate of occupancy for new homes
Reinspection fees may apply if the work is not ready or not accessible; approved plans and inspection records must be on site
Additional Resources
- Building code: Minnesota State Building Code; the county's posted overview letter still references the 2015 Minnesota State Building Code, so applicants should confirm the current code edition at submittal.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- License lookup guide: Minnesota Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Minnesota Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Minnesota hub: Minnesota Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Carver County Land Management before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Carver County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Carver County, MN?
- Permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy or use of a building, and for regulated gas, mechanical, or plumbing work.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Carver County, MN?
- Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are valuation based under the county fee schedule; other permit types may be flat or category based. Plan check fee: Additional plan review fees apply; revised plans also trigger an additional review fee.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Carver County, MN?
- 1. Confirm zoning and land use requirements with Carver County Land Management for the unincorporated parcel. 2. Complete the county permit application and assemble plans, specs, and any engineered drawings required by the building official. 3. Submit the completed application and supporting documents to Carver County Land Management; incomplete applications delay review. 4. Pay permit and plan review fees through the county. 5. County review is coordinated with Metro West Inspection Services for code review. 6. Once approved and paid, the permit is issued. 7. Schedule inspections at least 24 hours in advance with Metro West Inspection Services.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Carver County, MN?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 200 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or certain liquids; Sidewalks and driveways not part of an accessible route; Decks and platforms not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not attached to a structure with frost footings, and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Above-ground prefabricated pools within listed size limits; Certain portable gas and mechanical equipment listed in the county code overview letter.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Carver County, MN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 763-479-1720.
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This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.