County Building Permits
Faribault County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Faribault County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Faribault County only. County zoning staff issue building/zoning permits in the county system and maintain the zoning ordinance. The county does not enforce the state building code.
- Department
- Faribault County Planning and Zoning
- Address
- Blue Earth Ag. Center, 415 S Grove St., Suite 8, Blue Earth, MN 56013
- Phone
- (507) 526-2388
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County web page with downloadable PDF application and Zoning Permit Viewer • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm the project is in an unincorporated county area and not inside a city.
- Confirm zoning, setbacks, lot size, floodplain, and septic compliance.
- Gather a Certificate of Compliance and proof the septic system has been maintained or pumped within the last 3 years.
- Submit the building/zoning permit application to Planning and Zoning.
- County reviews the application and issues the permit if requirements are satisfied.
- Permit is issued after approval and fee payment.
General Requirements
New construction, additions, decks, attached garages, enclosed or covered porches, accessory structures, pools, grain bins, construction, alteration, and movement of buildings.
Required Documents
- Permit application
- Certificate of Compliance
- Septic pumping or maintenance proof
- Site information
- Address and landowner information
- Permit validity
- Permit valid for 1 year after approval and issuance.
- Building code
- Faribault County does not enforce building code.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Accessory structure/facility: $30; expansion to existing structure: $50; new structure: $100; 911 address: $150
- Permit fee formula
- Flat fee schedule published on the application
- Reinspection fee
- Late fee is double
- Penalty (no permit)
- Late fee is double
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Reshingling
- Residing
- Window replacement
- Internal remodeling
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Review zoning and septic compliance first, then permit issuance, then any county-required follow-up tied to the zoning permit.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Faribault County does not enforce building code.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Official Zoning Maps
- Septic systems
- Addressing
- Administration and Enforcement
- 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 Faribault County Planning and Zoning before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Faribault County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Faribault County, MN?
- New construction, additions, decks, attached garages, enclosed or covered porches, accessory structures, pools, grain bins, construction, alteration, and movement of buildings.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Faribault County, MN?
- The minimum permit fee is Accessory structure/facility: $30; expansion to existing structure: $50; new structure: $100; 911 address: $150. Fees are calculated as: Flat fee schedule published on the application.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Faribault County, MN?
- 1. Confirm the project is in an unincorporated county area and not inside a city. 2. Confirm zoning, setbacks, lot size, floodplain, and septic compliance. 3. Gather a Certificate of Compliance and proof the septic system has been maintained or pumped within the last 3 years. 4. Submit the building/zoning permit application to Planning and Zoning. 5. County reviews the application and issues the permit if requirements are satisfied. 6. Permit is issued after approval and fee payment.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Faribault County, MN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Reshingling; Residing; Window replacement; Internal remodeling.
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