Grand Marais, MN — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Grand Marais Zoning Administrator / City Office

Street address

15 N Broadway, PO Box 600, Grand Marais, MN 55604

Phone

218-387-1848

cityhall@grandmarais.city

Coverage

Incorporated City of Grand Marais. City zoning and building and use permits are administered through the zoning administrator and city office.

Online portal

Cook County e-Permitting

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Grand Marais

Except as provided in the ordinance, no person may construct, erect, alter, wreck, or move a building or structure without first securing a building permit from the city. The ordinance also states a land use permit is required for many activities and that permits are tied to zoning compliance.

Scope of work

Permit?

Interior alteration, repair, or change inside a residential building does not require a building permit if it does not affect exterior dimensions or change the existing use and occupancy.

Exempt

Any deck-like structure 18 inches and under does not require a land use permit.

Exempt

Exempt Interior alteration, repair, or change inside a residential building does not require a building permit if it does not affect exterior dimensions or change the existing use and occupancy.
Exempt Any deck-like structure 18 inches and under does not require a land use permit.

Required documents

City form completed for the permit
Scaled plan showing lot dimensions and the size and location of the building and accessory buildings
Additional information as needed for code enforcement
For solar PV, a land use permit form
For solar PV, an aerial site plan
For solar PV, a street view site plan
For solar PV, supporting information

Building code: Minnesota State Building Code, with city zoning ordinance references to tiny house compliance
Permit validity: All building and use permits expire after one year from issuance unless substantial progress has been made or a written extension is approved.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Land use permits are typically reviewed within 10 days on the solar permitting checklist.

01

Submit a building or land use permit application to the Zoning Administrator on city forms.
02

Attach a scaled site plan showing lot dimensions plus building and accessory building size and location.
03

Include any other information the city deems necessary.
04

The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for compliance with the city code.
05

The permit is issued only after compliance is determined.
06

For some projects, the City of Grand Marais Public Utility Commission must certify utility availability and hook-up fees before issuance.
07

Land use permits are typically reviewed within 10 days on the solar permitting checklist.

Typical processing time: Land use permits are typically reviewed within 10 days on the solar permitting checklist.

Source: City of Grand Marais Zoning Administrator / City Office ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Grand Marais building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$35 for building permits up to 100 sq. ft.

Permit fee formula

Up to 100 sq. ft. = $35; above 100 sq. ft. = add $5 for each additional 50 sq. ft. up to a maximum fee of $250

Penalty (no permit)

After-the-fact building permit fee = additional $300; fire zone review fee = additional $10

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Inspection hours: City Hall office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, except holidays.

Typical sequence: For building permits, the ordinance focuses on zoning review and utility certification before issuance. For solar PV projects, the city checklist says complete the online interconnection application after assembling permit documents.

Source: City of Grand Marais Zoning Administrator / City Office ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Grand Marais permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Grand Marais, MN? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Grand Marais, MN? ▸

Building permit fees in Grand Marais, MN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $35 for building permits up to 100 sq. ft.. Fees are calculated as: Up to 100 sq. ft. = $35; above 100 sq. ft. = add $5 for each additional 50 sq. ft. up to a maximum fee of $250.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Grand Marais, MN? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Grand Marais, MN, follow these steps: 1. Submit a building or land use permit application to the Zoning Administrator on city forms. 2. Attach a scaled site plan showing lot dimensions plus building and accessory building size and location. 3. Include any other information the city deems necessary. 4. The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for compliance with the city code. 5. The permit is issued only after compliance is determined. 6. For some projects, the City of Grand Marais Public Utility Commission must certify utility availability and hook-up fees before issuance. 7. Land use permits are typically reviewed within 10 days on the solar permitting checklist.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Grand Marais, MN? ▸

Building permit processing times in Grand Marais, MN typically run Land use permits are typically reviewed within 10 days on the solar permitting checklist.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Grand Marais, MN? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Grand Marais, MN. The following work is generally exempt: Interior alteration, repair, or change inside a residential building does not require a building permit if it does not affect exterior dimensions or change the existing use and occupancy.; Any deck-like structure 18 inches and under does not require a land use permit.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

last verified April 2026 source City of Grand Marais Zoning Administrator / City Office ↗ entry id permits/minnesota/cook/grand-marais

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Grand Marais Zoning Administrator / City Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Grand Marais

Other jurisdictions in Cook County.