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County building permits

Unincorporated Chippewa County

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Chippewa County Land and Resource Management

Street address
629 N. 11th St., Montevideo, MN 56265
Coverage
Unincorporated areas of Chippewa County
Online portal
Chippewa County Land Permits
County online land and resource permitting site
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Chippewa County

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.

Concrete pad - no permit needed
Personal pet house - no permit needed
  • Exempt Concrete pad - no permit needed
  • Exempt 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.

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.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Start at the portal and choose the permit type.
  2. 02
    Submit the online application.
  3. 03
    County states it responds within 3 days after submission.
  4. 04
    For zoning-related requests, use the county ordinance and permit forms as applicable.

Source: Chippewa County Land and Resource Management ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective 2023

Fee type
Amount
01
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
02
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2023) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Inspection hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical sequence: Permit and site plan review first, then county issuance and any required inspections.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Chippewa County permits

01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Chippewa County, MN?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Chippewa County, MN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chippewa County, MN?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chippewa County, MN, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Chippewa County, MN?
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026 source Chippewa County Land and Resource Management ↗ entry id permits/minnesota/chippewa/unincorporated

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Chippewa County Land and Resource Management before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.