County Building Permits
Chippewa County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chippewa County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Chippewa County
- Department
- Chippewa County Land and Resource Management
- Address
- 629 N. 11th St., Montevideo, MN 56265
- Phone
- 320-269-6231
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County online land and resource permitting site • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Start at the portal and choose the permit type.
- Submit the online application.
- County states it responds within 3 days after submission.
- For zoning-related requests, use the county ordinance and permit forms as applicable.
General Requirements
A land use permit is required before construction of a building or accessory structure in the unincorporated area, and before a change of use of a building, accessory structure, or land in the unincorporated area.
- Building code
- Minnesota State Building Code; county page ties permitting to the Minnesota State Building Code
- Contractor requirements
- Permit applications ask for contractor and license information on county forms.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $25 for portable building up to 10 x 12; $25 for moving any building except portable building; $25 for gazebo-type memorial structure
- Permit fee formula
- County land use permit fees are set by permit type, not a generic valuation formula on the public fee sheet reviewed.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2023).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Concrete pad - no permit needed
- Personal pet house - no permit needed
Important: Other exemptions may exist in the ordinance, but the county fee sheet only clearly identified these items on the public page reviewed.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Permit and site plan review first, then county issuance and any required inspections.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Minnesota State Building Code; county page ties permitting to the Minnesota State Building Code
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County fee schedule
- 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 Chippewa County Land and Resource Management before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chippewa County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Chippewa County, MN?
- A land use permit is required before construction of a building or accessory structure in the unincorporated area, and before a change of use of a building, accessory structure, or land in the unincorporated area.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Chippewa County, MN?
- The minimum permit fee is $25 for portable building up to 10 x 12; $25 for moving any building except portable building; $25 for gazebo-type memorial structure. Fees are calculated as: County land use permit fees are set by permit type, not a generic valuation formula on the public fee sheet reviewed..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chippewa County, MN?
- 1. Start at the portal and choose the permit type. 2. Submit the online application. 3. County states it responds within 3 days after submission. 4. For zoning-related requests, use the county ordinance and permit forms as applicable.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Chippewa County, MN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Concrete pad - no permit needed; Personal pet house - no permit needed. Note: Other exemptions may exist in the ordinance, but the county fee sheet only clearly identified these items on the public page reviewed.
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