City Building Permits
Stillwater, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Stillwater, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
City building permit authority inside Stillwater city limits; the city warns applicants to verify the taxing district because many nearby areas use a Stillwater zip code but are not in the city
- Department
- Building Inspections Division, City of Stillwater
- Address
- 216 North 4th Street, Stillwater, MN 55082
- Phone
- 651-430-8825
Online Permit Portal
Platform: City permit filing by email, fax, over-the-counter submittal, and form library; no separate public platform name clearly exposed on the indexed pages reviewed • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Verify the property is actually inside the City of Stillwater using the Washington County taxing district check the city references.
- Download the correct permit form and checklist from the building inspections pages.
- Submit the application and plans by email, fax, over the counter, or other city-approved route depending on permit type.
- Pay fees at issuance after review.
- Schedule inspections with the Building Permit Technician or inspection staff and complete final approval.
General Requirements
Stillwater says permits are required for many projects including new construction, additions, structural changes, decks, finished basements, pools, demolition, roofing, siding, and window replacement
Required Documents
- Permit application, plans, valuation, and permit-specific checklists; plan review is required for many projects
- Permit validity
- Verify on current Stillwater forms and issued permit conditions
- Building code
- Minnesota State Building Code as enforced by the city
- Owner-builder
- Homeowner applications are available subject to Minnesota rules
- Contractor requirements
- Minnesota contractor and trade licensing rules apply
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- See current Stillwater fee sheets
- Plan check fee
- Included where applicable in plan review
- Permit fee formula
- Mix of valuation-based fees and permit-type fees
- Payment note
- Permit fees are paid at the time the permit is issued
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Building Inspections Division, City of Stillwater to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Through the Building Permit Technician at 651-430-8825 or 651-430-8823 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Building official and inspectors are generally available M-F 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.; inspections are otherwise in the field
Typical inspection sequence: Project-dependent building and trade inspections followed by final
Corrections require follow-up inspection before closeout
Additional Resources
- Building code: Minnesota State Building Code as enforced by the city
- 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 Building Inspections Division, City of Stillwater before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stillwater Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Stillwater, MN?
- Stillwater says permits are required for many projects including new construction, additions, structural changes, decks, finished basements, pools, demolition, roofing, siding, and window replacement
- How much does a building permit cost in Stillwater, MN?
- The minimum permit fee is See current Stillwater fee sheets. Fees are calculated as: Mix of valuation-based fees and permit-type fees. Plan check fee: Included where applicable in plan review.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Stillwater, MN?
- 1. Verify the property is actually inside the City of Stillwater using the Washington County taxing district check the city references. 2. Download the correct permit form and checklist from the building inspections pages. 3. Submit the application and plans by email, fax, over the counter, or other city-approved route depending on permit type. 4. Pay fees at issuance after review. 5. Schedule inspections with the Building Permit Technician or inspection staff and complete final approval.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Stillwater, MN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Through the Building Permit Technician at 651-430-8825 or 651-430-8823.
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