County Building Permits
Winona County, MN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Winona County, Minnesota. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
- Department
- Winona County Planning and Environmental Services
- Address
- 202 West Third St, Winona, MN 55987
- Phone
- 507-457-6520
- Website
- https://www.winonacounty.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: OpenGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
General Requirements
County permits are required for development certificates, new dwelling/commercial structure certificates, accessory structures, changes of use, shoreland/floodplain work, septic work, wells, feedlots, and other county-regulated work
Required Documents
- Parcel information is required for online applications; required attachments vary by permit type
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Development Certificate Application $200; New Dwelling / Commercial Structure $400; Accessory Structure $200
- Permit fee formula
- Flat fee by permit type for county development items
- Reinspection fee
- The fee schedule lists after-the-fact and penalty pricing for some categories; confirm by permit type
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Winona County Planning and Environmental Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: County review first, then inspection or field verification if the permit type requires it
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Online permitting FAQ
- 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 Winona County Planning and Environmental Services before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Winona County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Winona County, MN?
- County permits are required for development certificates, new dwelling/commercial structure certificates, accessory structures, changes of use, shoreland/floodplain work, septic work, wells, feedlots, and other county-regulated work
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Winona County, MN?
- The minimum permit fee is Development Certificate Application $200; New Dwelling / Commercial Structure $400; Accessory Structure $200. Fees are calculated as: Flat fee by permit type for county development items.
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