City Building Permits
Big Lake Township, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Big Lake Township, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
County FAQ implies county building-permit jurisdiction because Big Lake Township is unincorporated and not Becker Township. Township also publishes its own local forms and fee schedule for township matters such as CUP and right-of-way items.
- Department
- Sherburne County Planning and Zoning for building permits; Big Lake Township retains its own local township permit functions for some non-building permits
- Address
- Township Hall, 21960 County Road 5 NW, Big Lake, MN 55309; county permit office 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River, MN 55330
- Phone
- Township 763-263-8111; county 763-765-4450
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Sherburne County permit portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Determine whether the project is a county building permit or a township-only permit such as a local zoning or right-of-way matter.
- For building permits, prepare the county application and supporting materials.
- Submit through the county portal, by email, or in person.
- Obtain any township approvals that may separately apply.
- Pay county fees and proceed to inspections.
Typical processing time: County standard is generally within 15 business days after a complete application
General Requirements
Building permits for structural work follow county and Minnesota code rules; township separately regulates some local permit types
Required Documents
- County application materials
- any local township forms if applicable
- Permit validity
- If county-routed, work must start within 180 days and permits are valid for 6 months unless extended
- Building code
- Minnesota State Building Code
- Contractor requirements
- Minnesota licensing rules apply
Fees
- Plan check fee
- County project-specific
- Permit fee formula
- County project-specific fees; township has separate local fee schedule for township permits
- Payment note
- County FAQ allows cash, check, or credit card with 2.4% convenience fee if county-routed
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Sherburne County Planning and Zoning for building permits; Big Lake Township retains its own local township permit functions for some non-building permits to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Contact permit authority (phone)
- Inspection hours
- County building-inspection hours not clearly posted on the public pages reviewed
Typical inspection sequence: Project-specific
Additional Resources
- Building code: Minnesota State Building Code
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- 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 Sherburne County Planning and Zoning for building permits; Big Lake Township retains its own local township permit functions for some non-building permits before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Big Lake Township Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Big Lake Township, MN?
- Building permits for structural work follow county and Minnesota code rules; township separately regulates some local permit types
- How much does a building permit cost in Big Lake Township, MN?
- Fees are calculated as: County project-specific fees; township has separate local fee schedule for township permits. Plan check fee: County project-specific.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Big Lake Township, MN?
- 1. Determine whether the project is a county building permit or a township-only permit such as a local zoning or right-of-way matter. 2. For building permits, prepare the county application and supporting materials. 3. Submit through the county portal, by email, or in person. 4. Obtain any township approvals that may separately apply. 5. Pay county fees and proceed to inspections.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Big Lake Township, MN?
- Typical processing time is County standard is generally within 15 business days after a complete application.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Big Lake Township, MN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact permit authority.
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