On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Olmsted County
Building permits are required for structural work, new dwellings, additions, remodels, trade work tied to larger projects, manufactured homes, rooftop solar, and septic systems in the county-administered unincorporated area; agricultural buildings used strictly for agricultural purposes require an agricultural use permit rather than a building permit.
Strictly agricultural buildings do not require a building permit if they remain agricultural use only; an agricultural use permit is required.
Public county page does not publish a full county-specific exempt-work list; verify Minnesota Rule 1300.0120 exemptions with the county for minor finish work.
- Exempt Strictly agricultural buildings do not require a building permit if they remain agricultural use only; an agricultural use permit is required.
- Exempt Public county page does not publish a full county-specific exempt-work list; verify Minnesota Rule 1300.0120 exemptions with the county for minor finish work.
Required documents
- County building permit application
- 2 copies of site plan showing setbacks
- wells/septic
- 2 sets of drawings/specifications
- energy calculations for new homes
- townhome sprinkler information when applicable
- and additional scope-specific information.
- Building code
- Minnesota State Building Code, with county zoning and septic rules layered on top.
- Permit validity
- Public county web page does not publish a standalone validity statement; confirm permit duration with the county at issuance.
- Owner-builder
- County publishes a Property Owner Waiver. Owners acting as general contractor attest they qualify for the Minnesota homeowner exemption, are not building on speculation or for resale, and accept code and licensing responsibilities.
- Contractor requirements
- County application requires contractor license numbers; county owner waiver states Minnesota residential building contractors, remodelers, and roofers must be state licensed unless exempt.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the parcel jurisdiction with the county jurisdiction checker if the site is near a city boundary or township with separate controls.
- 02 Complete the county permit application and assemble the required site plan, construction drawings, and any trade, well, or septic documents tied to the project scope.
- 03 Submit online through Accela, or deliver by email, mail, or in person to the Planning Department.
- 04 County staff review for zoning, code, and environmental items; additional materials may be requested depending on the project.
- 05 Pay permit, plan review, surcharge, and related review fees.
- 06 Receive the issued permit before starting work and schedule inspections through the county portal or department.
Source: Olmsted County Planning Department, Inspections Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Olmsted County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Residential building permit, $84 for valuation $1 to $5,000; commercial building permit, $84 for the lowest published bracket; agricultural building permit, $135.
02
Plan check fee
65 percent of building permit fee.
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based for most building permits; residential and commercial schedules published by project valuation, plus state surcharge, zoning review, and applicable trade/well/septic charges.
04
Reinspection fee
Footing fees are added if work starts before permit issuance; county page also warns permits must be issued before work starts.
Accela supports online payments and permit tracking; county also accepts email, mail, and in-person submittals.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Through Accela Citizen Access or by contacting the Planning Department. (phone)
Starting work before permit issuance can trigger added fees; confirm reinspection charges on the current fee schedule.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Olmsted County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Olmsted County, MN? ▸
Building permits are required for structural work, new dwellings, additions, remodels, trade work tied to larger projects, manufactured homes, rooftop solar, and septic systems in the county-administered unincorporated area; agricultural buildings used strictly for agricultural purposes require an agricultural use permit rather than a building permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Olmsted County, MN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Olmsted County, MN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential building permit, $84 for valuation $1 to $5,000; commercial building permit, $84 for the lowest published bracket; agricultural building permit, $135.. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based for most building permits; residential and commercial schedules published by project valuation, plus state surcharge, zoning review, and applicable trade/well/septic charges.. Plan check fee: 65 percent of building permit fee..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Olmsted County, MN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Olmsted County, MN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel jurisdiction with the county jurisdiction checker if the site is near a city boundary or township with separate controls. 2. Complete the county permit application and assemble the required site plan, construction drawings, and any trade, well, or septic documents tied to the project scope. 3. Submit online through Accela, or deliver by email, mail, or in person to the Planning Department. 4. County staff review for zoning, code, and environmental items; additional materials may be requested depending on the project. 5. Pay permit, plan review, surcharge, and related review fees. 6. Receive the issued permit before starting work and schedule inspections through the county portal or department.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Olmsted County, MN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Olmsted County, MN. The following work is generally exempt: Strictly agricultural buildings do not require a building permit if they remain agricultural use only; an agricultural use permit is required.; Public county page does not publish a full county-specific exempt-work list; verify Minnesota Rule 1300.0120 exemptions with the county for minor finish work.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Olmsted County, MN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Olmsted County, MN via: Through Accela Citizen Access or by contacting the Planning Department..
last verified April 2026
source Olmsted County Planning Department, Inspections Division ↗
entry id permits/minnesota/olmsted/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Olmsted County Planning Department, Inspections Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.