General building work permit checklist — Minneapolis, Minnesota
Assembled from Minneapolis’s own published permit rules. Every line below is quoted from a city document and linked to it. Nothing here is generated, estimated, or inferred from another jurisdiction.
Do you need a permit?
Minneapolis requires a permit for general building work.
A permit is not required for work exempted by Minnesota Rules part 1300.0120. Commonly exempt projects include one-story tool and storage sheds less than 200 square feet, fences no more than seven feet high, freestanding decks, platforms and stoops less than 30 inches above grade that are not attached to a structure with frost footings and do not serve the main entrance, gutter systems, playhouses, swings and other play equipment, private sidewalks and walkways that are not on an accessible route, window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches, soffit, fascia and trim, cabinets and countertops, floor tile and carpeting, and paint and wallpaper. Project size, location and other conditions determine whether an exemption applies. Emergency repairs may be made before applying, with an application filed the next working business day.
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Sources
- building — permit rules ↗verified August 2026
Other permits Minneapolis publishes rules for
Listed because the city publishes a separate rule for each type — not because this project necessarily triggers one. Whether it does depends on your scope of work.
- Deck permit checklist
- Fence permit checklist
- Shed permit checklist
- Water heater permit checklist
- Re-roof permit checklist
- Electrical work permit checklist
BuildSpec is a reference, not the authority having jurisdiction. Confirm requirements with Minneapolis before you build.