What you need to know about home renovation permits in Minneapolis
Understanding the permit requirements in Minneapolis is important when you have a remodeling project for your home. For example, do you need a permit to renovate your kitchen? What if you just want to change a light fixture?
Permits are required by the city government whenever you make renovations. These permits are required to ensure compliance with safety regulations and building codes. Let’s look at which projects require permits and which ones don’t.
What home renovation projects require a permit in the City of Lakes?
The individual doing the work should apply for the permit. If homeowners are tackling the project themselves, they can apply for the permit. However, when collaborating with a contractor, it's typically their responsibility to handle the permit process. They're familiar with the requirements and associated costs. If there's any uncertainty about whether your project requires a permit, reaching out to Minneapolis 311 for guidance is a good idea.
- Stairways: Building or removing a stairway could impact the structural integrity of a building and need a permit.
- Hard-wired smoke detector: Replacing or installing a hard-wired smoke detector requires hiring a professional electrician.
- Fireplace and chimney work: Any alteration to fireplaces or chimneys, like adding, demolishing, or changing from wood-burning to gas means structural changes and requires a plumber to work with the gas lines.
- Replacing or upgrading a new light fixture: This requires a licensed electrician.
- Adding or removing walls: Anything thataffects the structure of the house requires professionals.
- Installing new windows, walling up, or adding doorways: These changes can impact the house structure and need a permit.
- Installing a gas furnace: This involves gas lines thatrequire the services of a licensed plumber and a permit.
- Removal or replacement of drywall: Thisrequires a permit.
- Replacing a gas clothes dryer: This project needs the services of a licensed plumber and a permit.
- Electrical systems: Making changes to the electrical system, except for receptacles and switches, requires a permit.
- Replacing the subfloor and joists: This projectrequires a permit, as it is a structural job that calls for a licensed professional.
- Building a deck: Permits are required if the deck is more than 30 inches above grade, if the exit from house to deck is part of an accessible route exit, or when a deck is attached to the structure with frost footings. For more information about the requirements for decks in Minneapolis, please see the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website. If you want to build an addition to your home, install a fence, or build a deck or garage, zoning approval is also required. All of these need permits, including fences over 7 feet tall.
Building permit fees are based on the job's valuation, including labor and materials. When the process is complete, your contractor will arrange an inspection by a city inspector to make sure that your project is up to specifications.
Home updates that don’t require permits
Simple projects in Minneapolis homes that don’t interfere with the structure of the building and don’t require plumbers and electricians won't require permits.
- Wall treatments such as wallpapering, painting, or paneling
- Installing or replacing woodwork or trim
- Refinishing flooring, laying carpets, or installing other types of flooring such as vinyl or linoleum
Important: If you have old flooring, it may contain asbestos, and removing it requires the work of licensed asbestos removal services.
- Putting insulation in an attic or blowing insulation into outside walls
- Installing gutters
- Tiling
- Countertop installation
Selling a house with unpermitted renovations
If you've already completed renovations without obtaining the necessary permits, it can complicate your house sale. In Minnesota, when a buyer sells a property, they must submit to the buyer a statement of disclosure, which outlines any issues with the house, past or present.
Home buyers may be hesitant to buy if they learn of unpermitted and uninspected work that has been done to the house. Furthermore, many mortgage lenders won’t finance a house that has had unpermitted work done to it.
Can you get a permit after remodeling?
If you've already completed remodeling work without obtaining the necessary permits, you may be wondering if it's possible to rectify the situation afterward. Often, previous work done without permits must be torn apart and redone with the proper permits in place. If construction commences before obtaining a permit, there are potential consequences. Fees may double, fines could be imposed, and you might even need to demolish some or all of your work to ensure compliance with building codes.
We can buy your house even if you have unpermitted renovations.
We Buy Ugly Houses® offers a solution to selling a house that has had unpermitted work. We buy houses “as is” in all sorts of conditions and in many different situations, including houses with unpermitted and uninspected work.
Just contact us for a free, no-obligation visit with one of our property buyers. We’ll visit you at your house, take a tour, and answer your questions. We can sometimes provide a fast offer on the same day. If you accept, we can close quickly or give you more time if you need it. We do our best to work with your schedule to find a closing date that’s best for you.
Convenience, speed, thoroughness, and efficiency are our hallmarks. Our goal is to make our sellers happy, and our success is reflected in our seller stories and amazing reviews. We have an easy, streamlined process and no hidden fees, and we pay typical closing costs. Our offers are typically discounted below market value in exchange for speed and convenience.
If you want to sell your house that has unpermitted work, contact us today. With We Buy Ugly Houses, you can sell your Minneapolis house with confidence, regardless of any unpermitted renovations.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
