Lake County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Lake County and county-administered land use and zoning matters

Department

Lake County Planning and Zoning, Environmental Services

Address

601 3rd Ave, Two Harbors, MN 55616

Phone

(218) 834-8327

Email

planningandzoning@co.lake.mn.us

Website

https://www.co.lake.mn.us/environmental-services/planning-and-zoning/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

Typical processing time: Not formally published; county materials say applications can be submitted online and direct applicants to contact staff for questions

General Requirements

Required Documents

• not fully enumerated in the public FAQ; likely site/location details, project description, and any needed site or septic information

Building code

Minnesota State Building Code applies; county zoning pages reference compliance with MN State Statutes and state rules

Contractor requirements

SSTS and shoreland-related work may require licensed contractors or professionals depending on the project

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 for "All Other Structures Including Structure Change of Use (non-IUP)" and $50 for some non-principal structure land use permits

Plan check fee

Not separately published in the county zoning fee schedule

Permit fee formula

Dwelling/principal structure Land Use Permit is $200; other categories are flat fees by permit type

Reinspection fee

After-the-fact permits are $1,000 in addition to permit fees; no distinct reinspection fee was published

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences 6 feet and under
• Signs that are political, residential identification, real estate, painted on a building, or home occupation signs
• RVs and campers used as a dwelling no more than 21 days per calendar year if licensed and registered
• Some hand clearing by itself does not automatically trigger a permit, but soil disturbance or fill may

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours

Environmental Services Office weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Not fully published for land use permits

Septic systems are inspected on specific cycles, including after 12 years and every 8 years thereafter when applying for permits or upon sale; operating permits must be renewed every 3 years

Additional Resources

• Building code: Minnesota State Building Code applies; county zoning pages reference compliance with MN State Statutes and state rules
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• FAQ URL
• Documents URL
• 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 County Building Permit FAQ

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

The minimum permit fee is $50 for "All Other Structures Including Structure Change of Use (non-IUP)" and $50 for some non-principal structure land use permits. Fees are calculated as: Dwelling/principal structure Land Use Permit is $200; other categories are flat fees by permit type. Plan check fee: Not separately published in the county zoning fee schedule.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Lake County, MN?

Typical processing time is Not formally published; county materials say applications can be submitted online and direct applicants to contact staff for questions.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Fences 6 feet and under; Signs that are political, residential identification, real estate, painted on a building, or home occupation signs; RVs and campers used as a dwelling no more than 21 days per calendar year if licensed and registered; Some hand clearing by itself does not automatically trigger a permit, but soil disturbance or fill may.