The City of Corcoran adopts and administers the Minnesota State Building Code. We contract plan review and inspection services with Building Official Todd Geske, Metro West Inspection Services, Inc. If you have building code questions or would like to schedule an inspection please call 763-479-1720. Inspectors are available for meetings by appointment. Metro West Inspection Services offices are located in Loretto, MN. Hours are: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday.
For permit or city ordinance related questions, please contact Construction Services Coordinator Mike Pritchard at 763-400-7033 or mpritchard@corcoranmn.gov.
What is a building permit?
A building permit is an official approval to begin construction of a project. Before the issuance of a building permit, a thorough plan review is conducted to determine that minimum state building code standards are met. A building permit gives you legal permission to start construction of a building project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications. The number of permits and the type of inspection vary based on the project. Some may require a single inspection when the work is completed while others may require several inspections as the work progresses. With each project, City officials determine what inspections are required to ensure compliance with state building code. Some permits can be issued over-the-counter without review.
When do you need a permit?
The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call your local building inspector (763-497-1720). Some permits can be issued over-the-counter without review. Commercial construction projects (please contact Building Inspection Division).
Building Permits are required for the following projects:
- Construction of a new home
- Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc...)
- Residential work (decks, garages/sheds over 200 square feet, fireplaces, pools)
- Renovations (residing, re-roofing, window replacement, interior/exterior remodeling)
- Installation of swimming pools which exceed 5,000 gallon capacity or is greater than 24 inches in depth
- Building a retaining wall
- Installation of a fence higher that 7 feet
- Installation of fireplace, chimney, or wood stove
- Mechanical Systems: HVAC (heating, ventilating, air-conditioning systems, water heaters, in-floor heat, geothermal, gas line, etc.,)
- Plumbing systems (sewer, water, septic, water softeners, water heaters, underground sprinkler systems, etc.)
- Electrical systems (Issued through the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry. See link below)
- Septic systems (Issued through Hennepin County. See link below)
- Temporary structures or uses
- Manufactured/Pre-fab homes and structures
Why get a building permit?
Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community and the State of Minnesota, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. If you decide to sell your home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to do costly repairs to achieve code compliance. Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety and welfare. Applying for a building permit notifies the Building Official that you are constructing or remodeling a building so he or she can ensure code compliance.
How long is my permit valid?
It's important to remember that permits are valid for 180 days, according to the state building code. That's how long you have to finish your project or get to the next permit stage. If you do not complete the necessary work in the alloted time, the project will be deemed suspended or abandoned, meaning you'll have to obtain another permit and pay a new permit fee to continue the work.
To determine the status of various permits, City inspectors do an annual review of permits issued. All project require final inspection when work has been completed. Unfortunately, some permit holders fail to request final inspection, which results in a permit becoming invalid and a new one needing to be issued. A project will not be deemed code compliant without a final inspection, potentially resulting in additional fees, not to mention hassles if or when you try to sell your home.
Keep in mind if you hire a professional to work on your property, it's a good idea to request verification of a final inspection before making a payment. If doing the work yourself, be sure to call for your final inspection to close out your permit.
Hennepin County Property Information Locator
Minnesota Electrical Permit Information Department of Labor & Industry website for electrical permit instructions
Hennepin County Septic System Permit Form
2021 Building Permit Fee Schedule