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City building permits

Stillwater

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Building Inspections Division, City of Stillwater

Street address
216 North 4th Street, Stillwater, MN 55082
Coverage
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
Online portal
Permit portal
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
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Stillwater

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
Building code
Minnesota State Building Code as enforced by the city
Permit validity
Verify on current Stillwater forms and issued permit conditions
Owner-builder
Homeowner applications are available subject to Minnesota rules
Contractor requirements
Minnesota contractor and trade licensing rules apply
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Verify the property is actually inside the City of Stillwater using the Washington County taxing district check the city references.
  2. 02
    Download the correct permit form and checklist from the building inspections pages.
  3. 03
    Submit the application and plans by email, fax, over the counter, or other city-approved route depending on permit type.
  4. 04
    Pay fees at issuance after review.
  5. 05
    Schedule inspections with the Building Permit Technician or inspection staff and complete final approval.

Source: Building Inspections Division, City of Stillwater ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Stillwater building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
See current Stillwater fee sheets
02
Plan check fee
Included where applicable in plan review
03
Permit fee formula
Mix of valuation-based fees and permit-type fees

Permit fees are paid at the time the permit is issued

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 sequence: Project-dependent building and trade inspections followed by final

Corrections require follow-up inspection before closeout

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Stillwater permits

01 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
02 How much does a building permit cost in Stillwater, MN?
Building permit fees in Stillwater, MN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Stillwater, MN?
To apply for a building permit in Stillwater, MN, follow these steps: 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.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Stillwater, MN?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Stillwater, MN via: Through the Building Permit Technician at 651-430-8825 or 651-430-8823.
last verified April 2026 source Building Inspections Division, City of Stillwater ↗ entry id permits/minnesota/washington-mn/stillwater

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