County Building Permits
Fillmore County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fillmore County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Fillmore County land use and zoning area.
- Department
- Fillmore County Zoning Office / Planning and Zoning
- Address
- 101 Fillmore St, P.O. Box 655, Preston, MN 55965
- Phone
- 507-765-3325
- Website
- https://www.co.fillmore.mn.us/
Application Process
- Complete county zoning permit application on county form.
- Attach a plan drawn to scale showing lot dimensions, proposed building or use, and accessory buildings.
- Submit the application and fee to the Zoning Administrator.
- If the parcel is in a township with its own zoning ordinance, include township approval or documentation.
- Permit is issued only after ordinance compliance is confirmed.
General Requirements
A zoning permit is required before erecting, installing, altering, converting, moving any building or structure, or demolishing any historically significant structure, within areas regulated by the ordinance.
Required Documents
- County application
- Scaled plan
- Township approval if applicable
- Permit validity
- A land use permit must significantly begin construction within 1 year and be ready for its permitted purpose within 2 years. If not, the permit becomes void.
- Owner-builder
- Application may be made by the owner or general contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- The county ordinance does not publish a separate county contractor licensing rule in the reviewed sources; state trade licensing still applies.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- County fee schedule is use-based; fee is determined by the board-approved fee schedule.
- Penalty (no permit)
- Work started before permit issuance is subject to a penalty on file in the zoning office, plus normal permit fee; ordinance references a late fee in the fee schedule.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Remodeling or repair of a structure
- Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: County review occurs after application and fee submission. Additional township approval is required where applicable.
Unauthorized work can trigger penalties and normal permit fees under the ordinance.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County fee schedule PDF
- 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 Fillmore County Zoning Office / Planning and Zoning before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fillmore County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Fillmore County, MN?
- A zoning permit is required before erecting, installing, altering, converting, moving any building or structure, or demolishing any historically significant structure, within areas regulated by the ordinance.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Fillmore County, MN?
- Fees are calculated as: County fee schedule is use-based; fee is determined by the board-approved fee schedule..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fillmore County, MN?
- 1. Complete county zoning permit application on county form. 2. Attach a plan drawn to scale showing lot dimensions, proposed building or use, and accessory buildings. 3. Submit the application and fee to the Zoning Administrator. 4. If the parcel is in a township with its own zoning ordinance, include township approval or documentation. 5. Permit is issued only after ordinance compliance is confirmed.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Fillmore County, MN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Remodeling or repair of a structure; Portable agricultural buildings placed on skids.
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