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City building permits

Ely

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Ely Building Department

Street address
City Hall, 209 E Chapman Street, Ely, MN 55731
Coverage
DLI lists ELY as having adopted the Minnesota State Building Code with local enforcement.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Ely

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.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Submit the permit application with construction documents and site plan as required by the submittal-documents handout.
  2. 02
    Provide any additional information requested by the Building Official.
  3. 03
    Wait for permit issuance before starting work.
  4. 04
    Schedule inspections by phone at least 24 hours in advance.
  5. 05
    Request final inspection and certificate of occupancy when complete.

Source: City of Ely Building Department ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 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.

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Ely permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Ely, MN?
Ely states that permits are required for most building projects within the city.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in Ely, MN?
To apply for a building permit in Ely, MN, follow these steps: 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.
03 How do I schedule a building inspection in Ely, MN?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Ely, MN via: Schedule by calling the Building Department..
last verified April 2026 source City of Ely Building Department ↗ entry id permits/minnesota/st-louis-mn/ely

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Ely Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in St Louis County.

Same county, different permit office. Click for that jurisdiction's full guide.

All St Louis County jurisdictions →