Nancy Edmonds Hanson
hansonnanc@gmail.com

If your new year’s resolutions revolve around turning that unfinished basement into a family room or making almost any alteration to your home, chances are you need a permit.
“I would guess 50% of people who take on home improvement projects themselves have no idea they need a permit for just about all their projects,” Jack Nyberg reports. “Contractors know. If you hire a professional to do the work, they should understand the process, and they’ll take care of it on your behalf. It’s their responsibility.
“But if you plan to do the work yourself, it’s up to you to make sure the proper permits are pulled and inspections are called for.” He adds, “Probably no more than half of basement remodels get permitted.” His staff doesn’t spend time ferreting out those who neglect to comply. But if a permitless project comes to their attention, the homeowner will be asked to go back and secure one.
Minnesota’s statewide building code requires, he says, that construction of all kinds “meets and complies with Minnesota’s life safety standards.” That applies to the design, construction, addition, alteration, repair, use and location of one- and two-family dwellings, along with certain townhouses and so-called “accessory structures” like garages.
Regulations cover structural, life- and fire-safety features and moisture protection. They cover many kinds of projects the amateur handyman may otherwise feel confident of taking on himself or herself – diverse tasks like putting up or removing interior walls, installing a fence, adding a deck, carrying out many wiring and plumbing installations or changes, adding onto the home or changing the use of a room, like converting a garage to a living area. Regardless of the homeowner’s skill, permits are required.
“All could cause safety issues if they don’t meet minimum code standards. That’s what the code is for – keeping people safe,” Jack says. Certain projects are exempted, like recarpeting, wallpapering, painting, and replacing cabinets and countertops. Back-yard play equipment and one-story playhouses are exempt, too, along with sheds of 200 square feet or less.
Almost everything else requires at least a consultation with Jack and his staff, and probably a permit as well. Permit requirements and fees depend on their nature and size of each project. Permits for minor undertakings with budgets of $1,000 or less are $37. Larger projects are calculated on a sliding scale. The permit fee for a $25,000 project totals $248; at $50,000, the fee rises to $421.
The state building code, Jack concedes, is vast and complex. That’s where purchasing a permit provides the would-be do-it-yourselfer with good value. His department consults with the applicant throughout the project, from when it’s in the planning stage to perplexities of the construction process and, finally, an inspection when it’s complete to insure the work is safe and complete.
“I love it when people bring in their preliminary plans. Then we can go through it and clear up all the ifs, ands or buts before they get going,” Jack says. That applies to contractors – all of whom must hold Minnesota licenses and be insured – as well as to individuals working on their own property. He describes the consultations – in fact, the whole permitting process – as generally collaborative and helpful.
“The only times resistance comes in is if something has been missed in the original design and our review, but we catch it in our inspection,” he notes. “Code compliance typically adds some cost to a project. I get it; I watch my pennies, too. When we find an issue early, the fixes can be done as economically as possible. But when it isn’t spotted until you’re well into the project, the cost is probably going to be higher.”
Then he adds, “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a project of any size where something or other didn’t come up that added extra cost. We all try hard to avoid that by doing the initial review, but nothing is perfect.”
Jack has worked in the city’s building department for nearly 20 years, the last five as its director. In that time, he’s watched the state building code grow and change. “We hear all the time that we’re a little more restrictive here in Minnesota than in our sister cities across the river, especially in regard to energy and plumbing,” he says. “Otherwise, we’re pretty similar. Contractors have to be familiar with the ins and outs, but they can come as a surprise to homeowners who plan to do their own work. Most people have never event thought of this before.
“If you have questions, give us a call. Ask first. That saves a lot of trouble in the long run.”
For more information on building permit requirements and fees, call the codes office, (218) 298-5424.