City Building Permits
Ely, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Ely, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
DLI lists ELY as having adopted the Minnesota State Building Code with local enforcement.
- Department
- City of Ely Building Department
- Address
- City Hall, 209 E Chapman Street, Ely, MN 55731
- Phone
- (218) 504-5142
Application Process
- Submit the permit application with construction documents and site plan as required by the submittal-documents handout.
- Provide any additional information requested by the Building Official.
- Wait for permit issuance before starting work.
- Schedule inspections by phone at least 24 hours in advance.
- Request final inspection and certificate of occupancy when complete.
Source: City of Ely Building Department
General Requirements
Ely states that permits are required for most building projects within the city.
Required Documents
- Building permit application, construction documents, site plan, and any manufacturer instructions or licensed design professional plans required by the Building Official.
- Building code
- Yes. DLI directory lists ELY as adopted and locally enforced.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Ely Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Schedule by calling the Building Department. (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Inspections are normally made 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, with 24-hour notice normally considered adequate.
Typical inspection sequence: Footing, foundation, rough heating, rough plumbing, rough electrical, frame, insulation, septic as applicable, finals, and final inspection.
Requests left on voicemail are not confirmed until staff contact occurs.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Yes. DLI directory lists ELY as adopted and locally enforced.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Other useful links
- 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 City of Ely Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ely Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Ely, MN?
- Ely states that permits are required for most building projects within the city.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Ely, MN?
- 1. Submit the permit application with construction documents and site plan as required by the submittal-documents handout. 2. Provide any additional information requested by the Building Official. 3. Wait for permit issuance before starting work. 4. Schedule inspections by phone at least 24 hours in advance. 5. Request final inspection and certificate of occupancy when complete.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Ely, MN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Schedule by calling the Building Department..
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