County Building Permits
St. Louis County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
St. Louis County administers land use and zoning permits in county-administered areas. St. Louis County does not administer the Minnesota State Building Code countywide; local cities or townships may administer zoning in some areas.
- Department
- St. Louis County Planning and Zoning / Planning and Community Development
- Address
- 320 West 2nd Street, Suite 301, Duluth, MN 55802; 201 South 3rd Avenue West, Virginia, MN 55792
- Phone
- (218) 725-5000; (218) 749-7103; Toll free (800) 450-9777
Online Permit Portal
Platform: FTG Connect / Mitchell Humphrey • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm whether the parcel is in a county-administered zoning area by reviewing the Administration of Zoning map.
- Review the county land use permit fee sheet and identify the correct permit type.
- Create a portal account or prepare a paper application package.
- Complete the application with parcel ID, site information, project details, and attachments such as a site sketch; septic permit copies are required for some applications.
- Pay fees online or by mail/in person as directed by county staff.
- County staff review the application and issue the land use permit or request corrections.
- Track the permit in the portal and coordinate any required follow-up with county staff or specialty inspectors.
Source: St. Louis County Planning and Zoning / Planning and Community Development
General Requirements
County land use permits are required for many construction and land-use activities in county-administered areas. Separate state or local permits may also be required for electrical, plumbing, septic, wetlands, floodplain, access, and other specialty work.
Required Documents
- Application with parcel ID and site address or 911 address request
- Project information and description
- Site sketch
- Septic permit copy when triggered by application questions
- Permit validity
- Permit extension beyond 2 years is listed in the county fee schedule.
- Building code
- St. Louis County does not administer the Minnesota State Building Code; county pages expressly state this.
- Contractor requirements
- Not specifically stated in county land use sources; Minnesota state specialty licensing still applies.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $70 for permit extension beyond 2 years; common construction permits start at $95; many new buildings start at $185
- Permit fee formula
- Flat by permit type on the county 2026 permit fee sheet
- Penalty (no permit)
- After-the-fact fee of two times the regular fee for county planning permits
- Payment note
- Portal payment available; county instructions also reference paper and mailed payment routes.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the St. Louis County Planning and Zoning / Planning and Community Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Additional Resources
- Building code: St. Louis County does not administer the Minnesota State Building Code; county pages expressly state this.
- Verify contractor license: Minnesota DLI Contractor License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Apply for a Land Use Permit
- 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 St. Louis County Planning and Zoning / Planning and Community Development before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
St. Louis County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis County, MN?
- County land use permits are required for many construction and land-use activities in county-administered areas. Separate state or local permits may also be required for electrical, plumbing, septic, wetlands, floodplain, access, and other specialty work.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated St. Louis County, MN?
- The minimum permit fee is $70 for permit extension beyond 2 years; common construction permits start at $95; many new buildings start at $185. Fees are calculated as: Flat by permit type on the county 2026 permit fee sheet.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Louis County, MN?
- 1. Confirm whether the parcel is in a county-administered zoning area by reviewing the Administration of Zoning map. 2. Review the county land use permit fee sheet and identify the correct permit type. 3. Create a portal account or prepare a paper application package. 4. Complete the application with parcel ID, site information, project details, and attachments such as a site sketch; septic permit copies are required for some applications. 5. Pay fees online or by mail/in person as directed by county staff. 6. County staff review the application and issue the land use permit or request corrections. 7. Track the permit in the portal and coordinate any required follow-up with county staff or specialty inspectors.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Louis County, MN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: County permit portal (tracking and messaging).
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