County Building Permits
Stevens County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stevens County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Stevens County land. The county zoning ordinance page states land use permits are required in the unincorporated area for covered work.
- Department
- Stevens County Planning and Zoning / Zoning Administrator
- Address
- 400 Colorado Avenue, Morris, MN 56267
- Phone
- County main line listed on site as 320-589-3141
Application Process
Source: Stevens County Planning and Zoning / Zoning Administrator
General Requirements
Required Documents
- land use application, scale site plan, and any other information the Zoning Administrator deems necessary.
- Building code
- the county zoning ordinance governs land use permitting. A separate local building code adoption document was not clearly published on the pages reviewed. Minnesota State Building Code still applies where state code jurisdiction exists.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- land use permit fees and other fees are established by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Interior or exterior painting
- Interior or exterior decorating
- Fences 6 feet or less in height
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: land use permit review first, then any other state or local permits as needed
Additional Resources
- Building code: the county zoning ordinance governs land use permitting. A separate local building code adoption document was not clearly published on the pages reviewed. Minnesota State Building Code still applies where state code jurisdiction exists.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County permits page
- 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 Stevens County Planning and Zoning / Zoning Administrator before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stevens County Building Permit FAQ
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Stevens County, MN?
- Fees are calculated as: land use permit fees and other fees are established by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Stevens County, MN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Interior or exterior painting; Interior or exterior decorating; Fences 6 feet or less in height.
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