Lake Of The Woods County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County zoning, septic, shoreland grading/filling, variances, conditional use permits, zoning amendments, and related permits in unincorporated Lake of the Woods County

Department

Lake of the Woods County Land and Water Planning Office

Address

206 8th Ave SE, Suite #290, Baudette, MN 56623

Phone

218-634-1945

Email

Josh_s@co.lotw.mn.us , Scott_h@co.lotw.mn.us , Eric_b@co.lotw.mn.us

Website

https://www.co.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us/land-water/

Application Process

1. Prepare a complete Land Use Permit Application and supporting sketch/site plan.
2. Include the required fee with the application.
3. Submit to Land and Water Planning in person or by mail.
4. Staff review the application for zoning and septic/shoreland compliance.
5. If the proposal conflicts with the ordinance, the permit can be denied in writing.
6. For septic work, the county makes inspections after notice of readiness.
7. For conditional use permits and variances, the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners or Board of Adjustment review the application as applicable.

General Requirements

The ordinance requires permits for building construction/alteration, sewage treatment systems, and grading or filling in shoreland areas. A land use permit is required before changing the outside dimensions of a building or structure.

Required Documents

• Application form, site plan drawn to scale, lot dimensions, building locations, setbacks, and other county-required information; for sewage treatment permits, the application also asks for legal description, site plan, system design, installer name, and related water/septic information. Building contractor license numbers and site drawings are required for all building permits.

Owner-builder

Published county materials do not give a general owner-builder rule for all building work. For sewage systems, the ordinance says systems must be installed by MPCA certified installers or by the owner of the private property.

Contractor requirements

The fee schedule says building contractor license numbers are required for all building permits. For sewage treatment systems, the installer name is required and non-owner installers must be MPCA certified.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

No universal minimum for all permit types found. Published permit minimums vary by permit type; the smallest published fee on the schedule is No Fee for accessory structures or facilities 100 square feet or less.

Permit fee formula

Examples include after-the-fact land use permits at five times the permit fee or $10.00 per square foot of structure footprint, whichever is greater; subdivision review also uses per-lot formulas.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Repairs and maintenance, as defined in the ordinance, do not require a permit.
• The ordinance definition of repairs and maintenance includes interior work and certain exterior maintenance that does not change structural frame, walls, or exterior dimensions.
• Grading and filling tied to NRCS conservation practices and some SWCD-related conservation work are exempt from grading and filling permits.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Do not cover a septic system before approval. Final inspection can require uncovering if the system was backfilled too soon.

If a system is backfilled before final inspection, the county reserves the right to require it to be unearthed for final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit application URL
• County land and water page
• Fee schedule URL
• License lookup guide: Minnesota Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Minnesota Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Minnesota hub: Minnesota Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Lake Of The Woods County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lake Of The Woods County, MN?

The ordinance requires permits for building construction/alteration, sewage treatment systems, and grading or filling in shoreland areas. A land use permit is required before changing the outside dimensions of a building or structure.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lake Of The Woods County, MN?

The minimum permit fee is No universal minimum for all permit types found. Published permit minimums vary by permit type; the smallest published fee on the schedule is No Fee for accessory structures or facilities 100 square feet or less.. Fees are calculated as: Examples include after-the-fact land use permits at five times the permit fee or $10.00 per square foot of structure footprint, whichever is greater; subdivision review also uses per-lot formulas..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lake Of The Woods County, MN?

1. Prepare a complete Land Use Permit Application and supporting sketch/site plan. 2. Include the required fee with the application. 3. Submit to Land and Water Planning in person or by mail. 4. Staff review the application for zoning and septic/shoreland compliance. 5. If the proposal conflicts with the ordinance, the permit can be denied in writing. 6. For septic work, the county makes inspections after notice of readiness. 7. For conditional use permits and variances, the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners or Board of Adjustment review the application as applicable.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lake Of The Woods County, MN?

The following work is generally exempt: Repairs and maintenance, as defined in the ordinance, do not require a permit.; The ordinance definition of repairs and maintenance includes interior work and certain exterior maintenance that does not change structural frame, walls, or exterior dimensions.; Grading and filling tied to NRCS conservation practices and some SWCD-related conservation work are exempt from grading and filling permits..