County Building Permits
Washington County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
- Department
- No single countywide building-permit office identified for all unincorporated land; building permits in Washington County route to the applicable city or township authority, while county permits still apply for septic and some environmental work
- Address
- Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082
- Phone
- 651-430-6000
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Washington County permit information pages; no countywide building-permit self-service portal identified for all township building work • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in a township or county-routed area and identify the exact local jurisdiction from the county city and township directory.
- Route the building permit to the applicable township or shared building official listed below.
- Separately check Washington County permit pages for septic, environmental, floodplain, or land-disturbance layers that may still apply.
- Submit building plans and local forms to the township or contracted inspector, then complete county environmental permits where required.
General Requirements
Building permits are locally administered in Washington County by cities and townships; county pages separately require permits for septic systems and other county-regulated activities
Required Documents
- Varies by local permit authority; septic work requires county forms and site-specific information
- Building code
- Minnesota State Building Code, locally administered by the applicable city or township
- Contractor requirements
- Minnesota state contractor and trade licensing rules apply; local offices typically require license information
Fees
- Payment note
- County environmental fees and local building fees are handled separately where both layers apply
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- For township building work, use the local township or contracted building official's thresholds and Minnesota State Building Code exemptions
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Through the township or shared building inspection office; county septic inspections are scheduled through county staff (contact)
- Inspection hours
- Varies
Verify with the issuing local authority
Additional Resources
- Building code: Minnesota State Building Code, locally administered by the applicable city or township
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Other useful links
- 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 No single countywide building-permit office identified for all unincorporated land; building permits in Washington County route to the applicable city or township authority, while county permits still apply for septic and some environmental work before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, MN?
- Building permits are locally administered in Washington County by cities and townships; county pages separately require permits for septic systems and other county-regulated activities
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, MN?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in a township or county-routed area and identify the exact local jurisdiction from the county city and township directory. 2. Route the building permit to the applicable township or shared building official listed below. 3. Separately check Washington County permit pages for septic, environmental, floodplain, or land-disturbance layers that may still apply. 4. Submit building plans and local forms to the township or contracted inspector, then complete county environmental permits where required.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washington County, MN?
- The following work is generally exempt: For township building work, use the local township or contracted building official's thresholds and Minnesota State Building Code exemptions.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, MN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Through the township or shared building inspection office; county septic inspections are scheduled through county staff.
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