Permits and Inspections

The building division works with property owners and contractors to certify that new construction and changes to existing structures meet the required codes. The building official, is responsible for enforcing the Minnesota State Building Code. This process ensures that residential home and commercial building construction meet the required safety guidelines. This is accomplished by:

Reviewing building plans.
Issuing permits.
Conducting inspections of building, plumbing, heating and water/sewer work.
Answering questions about construction materials, methods, codes and ordinances.
Licensing plumbing and heating contractors.

Permits and Forms
Permits are required when buildings or equipment are constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, converted, or demolished.
Building permits are valid as long as work begins within 180 days for the date of issuance.

Many permits are available online here.
Find and print permit application forms here.

Please call the building division if you have any doubts about whether a permit is required for a particular project you have planned.
If you are constructing a new single- or two-family home, or adding a major addition to an existing single-family home, a construction management process must be followed, click on the Residential Construction Management page for more information.

If you are planning on doing any digging, you must first call Gopher State One Call at 1-800-252-1166. Click here to visit their website.

Homeowners: It is recommended that you have any contractor you hire apply for the permit for your project. It provides you with more security in making sure the job is done right. The contractor must provide proof of a Minnesota license and insurance. It also means that the contractor is responsible to correct anything done that does not meet the building code standards.

When applying for a building permit you must submit the following:
   1. A completed City of Crystal building permit application.
   2. A copy of a survey or plat of your lot showing existing easements and structures.
   3. A site plan that clearly depicts what is existing and what is proposed.
   4. Two sets of building plans.
All approved plans for residential and commercial projects must be kept on the jobsite and available to the inspector.

Inspections
The person responsible for taking out the permit must also schedule the necessary inspections. When calling to schedule an inspection 763-531-1000 please have the following information ready:
   1. Address of the jobsite.
   2. Name of person (homeowner) or business (contractor) doing the work.
   3. Type of inspection needed (i.e. framing, final, etc.).
   4. Permit Number (upper right-hand corner).
Unless it is an extreme emergency, no same-day inspections are scheduled.

Click here for a full list of construction information handouts.

Below is a list of some other commonly asked questions concerning building and remodeling.

For more information on any building topic you may stop by or call the building official at City Hall 763-531-1000 and request our current handout on that topic.

Get your most common questions answered below: