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

Fees are calculated as: Mix of valuation-based building permit fees, state surcharge, and flat permit fees by permit type. Plan check fee: Included on county schedules by permit type and review category.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings that qualify under Minnesota Statutes 326B.103 may be exempt from building permits, but still require county zoning agricultural review. Note: Other exempt work follows Minnesota State Building Code exemptions; county pages direct applicants to state-law thresholds rather than publishing a full local list.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Scott County, MN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: ePermit portal, 952-496-8160.

County Building Permits

Scott County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Scott County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Minnesota Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Scott County administers Minnesota State Building Code in the township taxing districts only. City parcels route to the applicable city building department. Septic permits route through Scott County Environmental Services.

Department: Scott County Building Inspections
Address: 200 4th Avenue W, Shakopee, MN 55379
Phone: 952-496-8160
Email: buildinginspections@co.scott.mn.us
Website: https://www.scottcountymn.gov/933/Building-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Open Scott County ePermit Portal

Platform: Scott County ePermit • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the parcel is in a township taxing district and review permit-specific instructions on the county Building Inspections pages.
Gather required PDFs, including plans, site plan, and permit-specific supplements; some township projects also need township approval before county issuance.
Create an ePermit account and submit through the county portal.
County staff review for completeness, zoning, code, and outside-agency needs; corrections are returned through the portal if needed.
Pay permit fees online once invoiced and download the issued permit card and approved plans.
Post the permit card on site and schedule required inspections through the portal or by phone.

Source: Scott County Building Inspections

General Requirements

County building permits are required for work regulated by the Minnesota State Building Code in township areas.

Required Documents

Permit application
Site plan
Construction plans
Valuation
Contractor/contact information
Plan-review attachments
Owner acknowledgment when owner is acting as contractor

Permit validity: County public pages reviewed do not state a general expiration rule; verify permit-specific conditions at issuance.
Building code: Minnesota State Building Code, administered locally by Scott County in township areas
Owner-builder: Owner-builder acknowledgment forms are used when the property owner is acting as contractor on applicable permits.
Contractor requirements: Minnesota state licensing and registration rules apply; county permit forms request contractor license information.

Fees

Plan check fee: Included on county schedules by permit type and review category
Permit fee formula: Mix of valuation-based building permit fees, state surcharge, and flat permit fees by permit type
Reinspection fee: Additional fees apply where listed on county schedules and for work that proceeds contrary to permit requirements
Payment note: Payments are made through the ePermit portal after review and invoicing

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Agricultural buildings that qualify under Minnesota Statutes 326B.103 may be exempt from building permits, but still require county zoning agricultural review

Important: Other exempt work follows Minnesota State Building Code exemptions; county pages direct applicants to state-law thresholds rather than publishing a full local list.

Inspections

How to Schedule

ePermit portal (online)
952-496-8160 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Time windows: Same-day inspection requests accepted before 7:30 a.m. when available

Typical inspection sequence: Footing or foundation, framing and trade rough-ins, insulation or energy items as applicable, then final inspections

Additional Resources

Building code: Minnesota State Building Code, administered locally by Scott County in township areas
Zoning information: View zoning info
City Building Department Contact Information
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 Scott County Building Inspections before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scott County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Scott County, MN?: County building permits are required for work regulated by the Minnesota State Building Code in township areas.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Scott County, MN?: Fees are calculated as: Mix of valuation-based building permit fees, state surcharge, and flat permit fees by permit type. Plan check fee: Included on county schedules by permit type and review category.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Scott County, MN?: 1. Confirm the parcel is in a township taxing district and review permit-specific instructions on the county Building Inspections pages. 2. Gather required PDFs, including plans, site plan, and permit-specific supplements; some township projects also need township approval before county issuance. 3. Create an ePermit account and submit through the county portal. 4. County staff review for completeness, zoning, code, and outside-agency needs; corrections are returned through the portal if needed. 5. Pay permit fees online once invoiced and download the issued permit card and approved plans. 6. Post the permit card on site and schedule required inspections through the portal or by phone.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Scott County, MN?: The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings that qualify under Minnesota Statutes 326B.103 may be exempt from building permits, but still require county zoning agricultural review. Note: Other exempt work follows Minnesota State Building Code exemptions; county pages direct applicants to state-law thresholds rather than publishing a full local list.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Scott County, MN?: Inspections can be scheduled via: ePermit portal, 952-496-8160.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Scott County Unincorporated / Township-Routed Area can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works

Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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