City Building Permits
Houston, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Houston, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
City of Houston
- Department
- Building/Zoning; City Planning and Building/Zoning pages reference City Hall and CMS Inspections
- Address
- Houston City Hall, Houston, MN 55943; public site does not clearly show a full street address in the captured extract
Application Process
- Review the city code and permit forms.
- Submit permit application for city code compliance review.
- City notifies applicant if a variance or conditional use permit is needed.
- CMS Inspections reviews and inspects projects for Minnesota State Building Code compliance.
- Electrical permits are arranged through the MN State Electrical Inspector.
- Permit is issued after reviews and plan approval.
Source: Building/Zoning; City Planning and Building/Zoning pages reference City Hall and CMS Inspections
General Requirements
Required Documents
- Printed forms; all other improvements require 2 sets of plans including footing, foundation, wall, and roof details. Energy calculations, makeup and combustion air calculations, and energy compliance certificate are required before release of permit.
- Building code
- City has adopted the Minnesota State Building Code and uses CMS Inspections.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowner work for own use requires a Self Waiver Form.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must be licensed by the State of Minnesota unless a specific exemption applies.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $63.50 flat fee for listed replacement permits
- Permit fee formula
- Permit fees are based on valuation established from State of Minnesota data sheets; sample fees published are $20,000 garage = $216, $100,000 house = $614.50, $250,000 house = $1,176.75
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Flat-fee replacement work listed above does not require plans
- Fences at or below 30 inches are implied exempt by the page language
Inspections
How to Schedule
- CMS Inspections handles review and inspections; the public extract does not describe scheduling mechanics (contact)
Typical inspection sequence: Plan review, energy compliance approval, permit release, then inspections; typical new structure inspection sequence includes footing/foundation, poured foundation, backfill, plumbing rough-in below ground, mechanical rough-in, heat/vent, in-floor heat, radon, framing, plumbing rough-in above ground, fireplace rough-in, insulation, finals
Additional Resources
- Building code: City has adopted the Minnesota State Building Code and uses CMS Inspections.
- City forms
- City code
- 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 Building/Zoning; City Planning and Building/Zoning pages reference City Hall and CMS Inspections before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Houston Building Permit FAQ
- How much does a building permit cost in Houston, MN?
- The minimum permit fee is $63.50 flat fee for listed replacement permits. Fees are calculated as: Permit fees are based on valuation established from State of Minnesota data sheets; sample fees published are $20,000 garage = $216, $100,000 house = $614.50, $250,000 house = $1,176.75.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Houston, MN?
- 1. Review the city code and permit forms. 2. Submit permit application for city code compliance review. 3. City notifies applicant if a variance or conditional use permit is needed. 4. CMS Inspections reviews and inspects projects for Minnesota State Building Code compliance. 5. Electrical permits are arranged through the MN State Electrical Inspector. 6. Permit is issued after reviews and plan approval.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Houston, MN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Flat-fee replacement work listed above does not require plans; Fences at or below 30 inches are implied exempt by the page language.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Houston, MN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: CMS Inspections handles review and inspections; the public extract does not describe scheduling mechanics.
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