City Building Permits
Saint Paul, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
City of Saint Paul local permit authority within Saint Paul city limits
- Department
- Department of Safety and Inspections
- Address
- Department of Safety and Inspections, 375 Jackson St, Suite 220, Saint Paul, MN 55101
- Phone
- 651-266-8989 information line
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Saint Paul DSI online services and application workflow • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Review the project type on the DSI building permits and inspections page.
- Complete the correct general or project-specific permit application and gather plans and supporting documents.
- Submit through DSI online services or by the alternate method posted for that permit type, such as email, mail, fax, or in-person drop-off.
- DSI reviews the application and plans.
- Pay permit fees and state surcharge.
General Requirements
Saint Paul requires permits for covered construction, alteration, grading, moving structures, demolitions, and numerous other building and trade activities under the DSI program.
Required Documents
- Depends on project type; city pages identify application form, plans, site plan or grading information, permit fee, and required sign-offs where applicable
- Permit validity
- Permit expires if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after starting
- Building code
- Minnesota State Building Code and city code requirements enforced by DSI
- Contractor requirements
- Trade and specialty licensing requirements depend on the work category; DSI publishes contractor-related licensing and competency requirements in code and permit guidance
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Example on plastering/stucco section shows a minimum permit fee of $85 for that category; overall minimum varies by permit type
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed; many fees are valuation-based plus Minnesota state surcharge, while some permits are flat or activity-based
- Penalty (no permit)
- Unpermitted work and failed inspections can trigger added costs under city code/fee schedule
- Payment note
- Payment depends on DSI workflow for the permit type
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Department of Safety and Inspections to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspector listed on permit (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Call between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., Monday through Friday
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: permit issuance, required project inspections such as rough, lath, special, and final inspections depending on permit type
Additional Resources
- Building code: Minnesota State Building Code and city code requirements enforced by DSI
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building and Construction
- Department of Safety and Inspections
- 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 Department of Safety and Inspections before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saint Paul Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Saint Paul, MN?
- Saint Paul requires permits for covered construction, alteration, grading, moving structures, demolitions, and numerous other building and trade activities under the DSI program.
- How much does a building permit cost in Saint Paul, MN?
- The minimum permit fee is Example on plastering/stucco section shows a minimum permit fee of $85 for that category; overall minimum varies by permit type. Fees are calculated as: Mixed; many fees are valuation-based plus Minnesota state surcharge, while some permits are flat or activity-based.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Saint Paul, MN?
- 1. Review the project type on the DSI building permits and inspections page. 2. Complete the correct general or project-specific permit application and gather plans and supporting documents. 3. Submit through DSI online services or by the alternate method posted for that permit type, such as email, mail, fax, or in-person drop-off. 4. DSI reviews the application and plans. 5. Pay permit fees and state surcharge.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Saint Paul, MN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Inspector listed on permit.
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