Frequently Asked Questions
Building and Inspections Links
Use the online permit portal at Electronic Permit Portal.
Many of the building permit fees are based on the applicant’s job valuation (cost of labor and materials). However, there are certain types of work that the city will use a different valuation than what the applicant may have indicated. This valuation may be based on square footage or other variables. The building permit fee schedule may be found at Building Permit Fee Schedule.
Note: Not all types of work require a plan check fee. There is also a state surcharge fee (job valuation x .0005).
For an estimate of fees on a NEW Single Family Home see the most recently updated housing flyer here:
The 2020 MN State Building Code indicates there is no permit required for the following:
- One-story detached accessory structures, used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.
- Fences not over 7 feet high.
- Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids.
- Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
- Sidewalks and driveways that are not part of an accessible route.
- Decks and platforms not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade and not attached to a structure with frost footings and which is not part of an accessible route.
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
- Prefabricated swimming pools installed entirely above ground accessory to dwelling units constructed to the provisions of the International Residential Code or R-3 occupancies constructed to the provisions of the International Building Code, which do not exceed both 5,000 gallons in capacity and a 24-inch depth.
- Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support, when constructed under the International Residential Code or Group R-3 and Group U occupancies constructed to the provisions of the International Building Code.
- Swings and other playground equipment.
Per the state of MN retention schedule, building plans are stored for 15 years after which time they are destroyed. Many times building plans may be retained by the designer or builder.
The allowable hours of construction are as follows: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays.
Yes, as long as you are homesteading (living in) the home, you may apply for any permit (building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.) to do work in your own home.
If you own your home, but do not occupy the home you will need to hire a licensed building contractor to do any building related work requiring permits. If you own the home and are homesteaded you can apply for a building permit yourself
- When a house will be offered for sale and there are hazardous items to be corrected.
- When any permit is issued that requires an inspector to come inside your house in order to complete the final inspection related to any building permit.
No. Following are the requirements for a code compliant sleeping area:
- Every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening.
- The sleeping room shall have a floor area of not less than 70 square feet and not less than 7 feet in any horizontal dimension.
- A smoke alarm shall be installed in all sleeping rooms.
- A carbon monoxide detector shall be installed outside of sleeping rooms within 10’ of each sleeping room door.
You are allowed to place a dumpster in your driveway. If you want to place the dumpster on the street, contact the Engineering Department at 952-563-4870 for requirements.
Every permit issued expires 180 days after issuance. However, after each inspection, the 180 days is extended from the date of the inspection instead of the issue date. Exterior work (i.e. roofing and siding) permits expire one year after permit issuance. Building official approval is required for permit extensions.
If the work has not started a refund can be issued within 60 days of permit issuance. You must submit the request for a refund in writing to the Building and Inspections Division.
The majority of residential remodeling work (including siding) requires lead certification through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for any house built prior to 1978. More information can be found at Lead Certification Requirements.
Additions to existing dwellings that do not currently have a radon control system incorporated into the existing dwelling are not required to have a radon mitigation system installed. Should the existing dwelling currently have a radon control system incorporated into the existing building, then the addition would be required to also have that system.
Fences over 7 feet in height require a building permit. If you are planning to build a fence (any height) contact the Planning Division at 952-563-8920 for any setback requirements.
If you are only adding insulation to your walls or attic space you do not need a permit. If you remove all of the insulation and are installing all new insulation you would need a permit.
No. However, the City can tell you if a contractor has done work in Bloomington. You can also verify that a contractor is licensed through the Department of Labor and Industry website at Contractor License Lookup You can also determine if a contractor has any current enforcement actions with the Department of Labor and Industry at Enforcement Actions.
Complaints can be filed against contractors via the Department of Labor and Industry. Click here for more information: Department of Labor and Industry - Complaints.
Yes, a Building permit is required if the proposed deck is attached to the house or if a detached deck is more than 30” above the ground. During the permit submittal process, a lot survey showing the location and dimensions of the deck is required, as well as deck plans showing how the deck will be constructed.
Yes, the City provides information regarding deck joists, beams, footings, connections, and much more. Click here for more information: Residential Decks Information Sheet.
Pin footings are acceptable for decks. They are NOT currently acceptable for porches or additions.
Yes. However, the following requirements must be met:
- Engineer stamped technical data sheet showing sizes, max load values, etc. for helical piers being used. The building plans must then show the loads and size of the piers being proposed for the specific project OR Engineer stamped plans showing load calculations and size of each pier being used. The plans must be for the specific site.
- Brand name of pier being installed.
- Torque report must be submitted to plan reviewer PRIOR to the final inspection being passed. The torque report must be signed by a certified installer.
Illumination is required at all stair landings. If your deck does not have stairs lighting would not be required.
Decks are not permitted to be built within 10 feet of an overhead power line.
No. Click here for approved products: Tested Composite Deck Products.
Only the new guardrail will be required to meet current requirements. This may be a good opportunity to review the current structural condition of your deck.
No. If the decking is the only thing being replaced a permit is not required.
- Garage information can be found in the Garage/Accessory Building information sheet.
- Sheds and accessory building information can be found in the Accessory Buildings Other than Garages (for Single Family Homes) information sheet.
There is no minimum distance that a garage must be constructed away from a house. However, if the separation distance is less than three feet, not less than 1/2-inch gypsum board or equivalent applied to the interior side of exterior walls that are within this area is required. Any doors in this wall must be fire resistive.
Not less than 1/2-inch gypsum board or equivalent must be applied to the interior side of the garage.
Openings between the garage and residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 13/8 inches (35 mm) in thickness, solid or honeycomb core steel doors not less than 13/8 inches (35 mm) thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.
House wrap is required for all attached garages and for all detached heated garages.
An ice barrier is required for all attached garages and for all detached heated garages.
Yes. Apply for driveway permits through the online permit portal at Electronic Permit Portal. Driveway information can be found in the Residential Driveway/Off Street Parking information sheet.
Yes. Driveway approach/curb cut information can be found in the Driveway Approach and Curb Cuts information sheet.
A minimum 5-foot side yard setback is required. If the proposed setback is less than 5 feet, contact the Planning Department at 952-563-8920 or by email at planning@BloomingtonMN.gov.
Contact city Engineering Department at 952-563-4870 or by email at engineering@BloomingtonMN.gov.
Yes. More information can be found on the Residential Driveway/Off Street Parking information sheet.
Whenever you are replacing more than one square (100 square foot area) of roofing, a residential roofing/siding permit is required.
The roof decking should be replaced or covered if it is decayed or decomposed beyond its structural capability. That determination must be made by a competent and knowledgeable person such as a structural engineer, experienced roofer, etc. The structural determination is not made by a building inspector.
Asphalt shingles must be installed according to the roofing manufacturer’s instructions. Usually, spaced boards do not meet manufacturer’s requirements and would typically be covered with structural panels such as plywood or OSB.
You may go over one layer of existing asphalt shingles. Roofing over more than one layer of existing asphalt shingles is not permitted.
All asphalt shingles (including 3-tab shingles) bearing the packaging label “ASTM D3161, Class D” or “ASTM D7158, Class H” are approved for wind speeds in our area.
Refer to both the roofing manufacturer’s and also the ice barrier underlayment manufacturer’s requirements for roof venting requirements.
No permit is required to install soffits, fascia, or gutters.
It is recommended, but not required by the MN State Residential Code.
No. Kick-out flashing is only required when re-siding a house.
Yes. A house wrap inspection performed by a City of Bloomington inspector is required prior to installing the new siding. Failure to comply with this required inspection will result in a minimum of an 8’ x 8’ section of siding to be removed and a re-inspection fee. For more information, refer to housewrap info.
Yes. There are electrical code requirements for the removal and reinstallation of lights, air conditioner shutoffs, etc. An electrical rough-in inspection is required prior to the house wrap inspection.
No. House wrap must be installed against the sheathing prior to the installation of any fanfold product. The house wrap must also be inspected prior to the installation of fanfold.
No. New house wrap may be installed over existing fanfold.
No. House wrap is not required if you are doing a siding overlay.
Lath, house wrap, and final inspections.
Yes. Refer to the siding manufacturer’s specifications for requirements.
Yes. Any pool over 24 inches in depth requires a pool/spa permit. Depending on the nature of the project a separate, plumbing and/or electrical permit would also be required.
Yes. A pool/spa permit is required to install a spa/hot tub. A separate electrical permit would be required for the wiring of the spa/hot tub.
Yes. A minimum 4-foot-high fence is required. See more information regarding fences on the following handout: Pool/Spa Handout.
The ladder and/or gate must be self-closing, self-latching, lockable or removable.
If the hot tub has a safety cover, it may be exempt from the fencing requirements. The cover must have a label permanently affixed so that the building inspector can visually confirm at time of inspection. The label must indicate that the cover conforms to Standard ASTM F 1346-91.
The City of Bloomington requires Time of Sale inspections to be done prior to listing your house on the market.
You can call the City of Bloomington Building and Inspection Division at 952-563-8930 and set up the inspection with a City Time of Sale inspector. You can also contact one of the Independent Time of Sale Evaluators that are licensed with the City of Bloomington.
Yes. Any time the property will change ownership, the City requires a Time of Sale inspection to be completed.
If you schedule the inspection with a City of Bloomington inspector, the fees is $250.
For more information on the Time-of-Sale (TOS) Housing Inspection Program please see the information page on our website: TOS Information Page
Yes. You will need to apply for a Moving permit through the online Electronic Permit Portal.
The Utilities Division will need to approve the permit verifying that sewer and water are either disconnected or provided for new homes.
The Traffic Engineering Division will need to be notified of the route which will be used to move the structure (952-563-4870).
The Police Department will need to be notified of the moving route and the time of the move (952-563-4900).
For more information, see Moving a House/Structure information sheet (form is being updated).
Yes. You will need to apply for a moving permit through the online Electronic Permit Portal. You will need to submit the following items:
- A certified land survey showing the proposed structure location, setbacks, drainage, driveway, any sidewalks/patios and other structures on the lot.
- A plan showing how the foundation will be constructed and how the structure will be fastened to the foundation. If the structure is a home, provide the type, location and R-value of the insulation.
The Utilities Division will need to approve the permit verifying that sewer and water are either disconnected or provided for new homes from the location where the structure is being moved from.
The Traffic Engineering Division will need to be notified of the route which will be used to move the structure (952-563-4870).
The Police Department will need to be notified of the moving route and the time of the move (952-563-4900).
For more information, see Moving a House/Structure Information sheet (need updated form).
The moving permit will not be approved until the following departments are notified and approve the route.
The Traffic Engineering Division will need to be notified of the route which will be used to move the structure (952-563-4870).
The Police Department will need to be notified of the moving route and the time of the move (952-563-4900).
Yes. A pre-moving inspection is required before moving a structure into or within the City of Bloomington.
Like any undertaking, it is best to do all the research prior to the beginning of any electrical project.
The City has an electrical handout that covers some very basic requirements. Additional resources can be found on the internet and at the MN Department of Labor and Industry website.
Many home stores carry DIY self-help wiring diagrams and other information. When viewing on the internet always compare what you see being done with the general information handout.
Not necessarily. The City of Bloomington has a Time of Sale (TOS) program that is required when your dwelling is going to be sold. The Time of Sale program is an evaluation of existing conditions at the dwelling. Existing installations that were code compliant at the time of installation are not required to meet current code.
One exception to this rule is for those electrical installations that have been improperly grounded and are considered a hazard. These types of hazardous conditions must be brought into compliance prior to the sale of a house. For more information click here: TOS Information Page.
Once the dwelling has been evaluated by the TOS inspector and received a Certificate of Compliance, any and all other requirements become a negotiation between buyers and sellers. Should you decide to make electrical changes or alterations, an electrical permit is required and that any changes would require full electrical code compliance.
For example: If one decided to change out the receptacle outlets in the kitchen, the new installation of the outlet would require multiple safety features to be present. The new outlet would require the following protections: Proper grounding, tamper resistance (Type TR), Ground Fault Interrupter protection (GFCI), and combination type Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter protection (AFCI). Such work would require an electrical permit and inspection.
GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interruption. This type of protection can be thought of as a shock protection device, primarily intended as people protection. The protective device can be located at either a receptacle outlet or at the source of the branch circuit.
Some of the areas include kitchen countertop areas, receptacle outlets within six feet of any kind of sink, bathrooms, laundry areas, all receptacle outlets in any area of a basement, garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, and crawl space lighting.
Homeowners are permitted to perform electrical work in their own primary (homesteaded) dwelling unit. Rental properties, investment properties, and places of business all require the electrical work to be performed by a MN State Licensed Electrical Contractor only. Electrical permits are required for most electrical installations and repairs.
NO. The State of Minnesota regulates electrical work and licensing through the MN Department of Labor and Industry. In order for anyone to offer or perform electrical work they must be licensed with the State of MN as an Electrical Contractor. This ensures that those offering or performing the electrical work are properly licensed, trained, and have the required bonding and insurance.
All licensed contractors can be looked up on the MN Department of Labor and Industry website: Contractor License Lookup
Yes, an electrical permit is required. Any time you or your contractor are going to change, add to, alter, or install new electrical wiring in the dwelling, an electrical permit is required. This includes such work as additions, remodeling, adding lighting, replacing receptacle outlets, re-siding of the dwelling, replacing the furnace or A/C unit, and repairing items that require demolishing, removal, or replacement of existing wiring.
The 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code. The electrical code is adopted by the State of Minnesota, is part of MN State Building code, and is the same electrical code standard statewide.
Yes. The City's Electrical Inspection Checklist for Single Family Dwellings contains much general information. The National Electrical Code is a complex document and is not a “how to” instruction book. Some installations can be complex and may be more suited for a professional.
You can perform your own plumbing work and installation if you are the homesteaded homeowner (live in and own the home) of a property. If you are not homesteaded, a licensed contractor must perform this work.
2% of job valuation plus state surcharge (state surcharge= job valuation x 0.0005). Minimum fees: Residential $55 plus state surcharge; Commercial $65 plus state surcharge. The plan review fee (for commercial permits) is 10% of the permit fee when the job valuation exceeds $50,000. No plan review is required for job valuations under $50,000.
Not necessarily. The City of Bloomington has a Time of Sale (TOS) program that is required when your dwelling is going to be sold. The Time of Sale program is an evaluation of existing conditions at the dwelling. Existing installations that were code compliant at the time of installation are not required to meet current code. Exceptions to this rule are for those plumbing installations that have been improperly vented, are leaking, or require backflow protection and are considered hazardous. See more Time of Sale program information here.
Please see this Toilet Tank Elements Information Sheet.
Yes. A backflow prevention device (Standard ASSE 1052) is required.
Yes. An approved backflow prevention device is required on all residential and commercial lawn irrigation systems.
No permit is required when replacing a toilet in the same location. No permit is required when replacing the faucet ONLY. If replacing the sink, a plumbing permit IS required.
Unless it is an existing toilet being installed in the same location, the following clearances need to be met:
- 15” from the center of the toilet to a wall, sink, tub, etc.
- 24” in front of the toilet to a wall, sink, tub, etc.
2” drain and 1-½” vent.
Yes. However, on existing homes, if ONLY the dishwasher is being replaced and the countertops are not being replaced, no airgap is required to be cut into the countertops.
2” drain and 1-½” vent.
A shut off valve and an approved connector.
- 39,000 BTU and lower water heaters require a 3” vent.
- 40,000 BTU and above water heaters require a 4” vent.
The waste and vent piping shall be tested with air or water pressure. An air test shall be made by attaching an air compressor or hand pump and a 15 lb. gauge. The required pressure is 5 PSI for a duration of 15 minutes without introducing additional air into the system.
This test shall be done by closing all openings, plugging off the connection to the existing sewer, and filling the pipe with water to its highest point. This test must hold for 15 minutes without the introduction of more water.
Copper and Pex (Standard ASSE 1061).
Yes, with an approved adaptor.
Whenever the range provides more than 300 cfm, a ventilation calculation must be done on the house from Table 501.4.1 in the MN Mechanical Code.
Gas lines must be buried 12” under the ground and back filled with dirt free of rocks or debris that could damage the line.
Gas lines must enter structures above grade.
Gas lines must be pressure tested at 25 psi for 30 minutes.
Connections to gas appliances must be listed, less than six feet in length, and must not go through a floor. See the following handout for further information: Flexible Gas Connector Information Sheet.
Are there any requirements for enclosing a mechanical room in a basement?
The mechanical room must be provided with enough outside combustion air to satisfy the amount of BTUs of the appliances in the room.
Yes, provided that the mechanical room has a sealed door or direct vent appliances.
You can perform your own work and installation if you are the homeowner of a property. If you are not the homeowner, a licensed contractor must perform this work. The contractor may be licensed with Minneapolis, St. Paul, or Bloomington.
The city conducts periodic HVAC testing opportunities in order to issue licenses to qualified individuals. For further information for scheduling a test Call 952-563-8930 or visit the City's contractor licensing and testing page.
Here are some troubleshooting tips for your furnace or boiler. Be sure that:
- Your furnace filter is clean (not clogged or dirty);
- Your outside air intake (for high efficiency/pulse furnaces) is clear of snow and other debris;
- Your thermostat is set to “heat”;
- Your thermostat batteries are in good working condition;
- The furnace circuit breaker is on and operational;
- The switch on the furnace or nearby wall (looks like regular light switch) is turned ON. (Try turning this switch OFF, wait 30 seconds, then turn the switch back ON).
Call CenterPoint Energy if none of these things work.
To apply for all commercial permits please use the online permit portal at Electronic Permit Portal
Is a general contractor license required to apply for a building permit to work on a commercial project?
No license is required for general contractors to do commercial work.
Yes. You can apply for a building permit for interior demo work. Do not use the demo permit application as those are for full-structure demolitions. A separate building will be required for any construction.
In most cases, an architect’s signature is required for remodel or renovation. For further information, refer to Minnesota State Requirements.
Refer to the City of Bloomington’s Environmental Health Division at envhealth@BloomingtonMN.gov or 952-563-8934.
The complete content of the current codes can be found here: Minnesota State Building Codes
Type IA (formerly Type I FR).
The mall opened on August 11, 1992.
Yes. Landlord approval is required.
Yes. All plans submitted for building permits must bear an approval stamp from the mall.