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Building Inspections

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1. When is a building, plumbing, mechanical or electrical permit required?

The State Building Code requires permits to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change occupancy of a building. In general, a permit is required for most construction projects where something is being built, repaired, replaced, or remodeled. 

The best way to find out if you need a permit is to contact Building Inspections at 507-645-3004. Discuss your plans with an inspector before you begin construction to determine needed permits. 

Permits are usually required for the following:

• New buildings
• Additions (bedroom, bathroom, basement finish, family room)
• Residential work (deck, porch, garage, fence, fireplace, pool, water heater, water softener, furnace replacement)
• Renovations (garage conversion, basement finish, kitchen expansion, siding, roofing)
• Electrical
• Plumbing systems
• HVAC/mechanical systems (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems)

2. Can a homeowner do work on their own home?

Typically the answer is yes as long as the property owner lives in the home. If the homeowner hires someone to do work, that person must be a licensed contractor for residential properties. Check to see if a permit is required for the work being done by contacting the Building Inspections Office for help to determine if work requires a permit or if special conditions apply to your project.

Electrical Inspections in Northfield are performed by the State of Minnesota. For information contact: Randy Edel, State Electrical Inspector , at 507-334-3748.

Building Inspections

3. How does one get an electrical permit?

Electrical permits are issued by the state. Contact: State Electrical Inspector Randy J. Edel at 507-334-3748.

Electrical Permit and Inspection Checklist information can be found at the following website.
Construction Handouts

4. How do I obtain a Building Permit?

Complete a building permit application and submit it with all required submittal documents. The type of work you are doing will determine the required submittal documents. Allow five days for residential permits and ten days for commercial permits for review of your building plans before beginning your project. If your commercial project is large or your submittal documents require corrections, it may take longer. When the review is complete, you will be contacted with the fee total.

Building Permit Applications

5. When is a building permit not required?

The State Building Code specifically exempts 14 items. The main ones are buildings 120 s.f. or less, fences not over six feet high, retaining walls not over four feet high from footing to top of wall, painting, tiling, cabinets, finish work, swing sets, playground equipment,etc.

6. What methods of payment are accepted for permits?

Currently check or cash are accepted for payment of permits.

7. What are the required inspections for a Building Permit?

Inspections are performed to check for building code compliance. A record inspection card is issued with the building permit and is required to be posted on the job site. This card should list the required inspections and indicates what inspections have been completed and approved. Do not cover work that may need inspection. If you have questions, contact Building Inspections at 507- 645-3004.

Building Inspections

8. Who must have a Residential Contractor’s License?

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry establishes the rules for licensing of residential contractors. Typically all work performed for a homeowner must be by a Licensed Contractor. Please see Construction Codes and Licensing Division at the Department of Labor and Industry or call 651-284-5065.

MN Department of Labor and Industry

9. Can I build a shed or detached garage on my property?

Typically a shed or detached garage can be placed on lots. Building permits may be required. For further information on placement, size, and code information, contact the Building Inspections Office at 507-645-3004 or go to City Services/Building Inspections on the website.

Accessory Structure Requirements

10. Where do I find information about my property?

The following websites will provide information on your property in Rice County or Dakota County: Property Information

11. How do I locate my property line?

Most newly developed lots should have a surveying pin at the corners of the lot. These ½ inch round pipes are typically buried in the ground and you may need a metal detector to locate. The metal pipe may have a cap with the surveyor’s information on it. These pipes shall not be moved or removed. Contact the Community Development Office at 507-645-3059 for additional information.

Property information can be obtained from the Rice County and Dakota County websites. Property Line Information

12. Why is my yard marked up with different colors of paint or flags?

Flags and paint markings are utilized to identify the location of underground utilities. State law requires that utilities are located through the Gopher State One Call system prior to excavation activities to help avoid damage and accidents caused by striking the buried lines. These activities could include repair of sewer and water services, damaged cable, or phone lines, or even installation of new utility lines. These markings will also appear if a property owner in the area is making an improvement to their property such as the installation of landscaping walls or a pool. Two days before doing any digging in your yard it is required by State law to contact:

Gopher State One Call

13. What is a right of way?

A right of way is the publicly owned area in a development or neighborhood. Rights of way are important for the installation and maintenance of streets and private and public utilities, including electrical, phone, sewer and water, and storm sewer lines. A common misconception is that the homeowner’s or business owner’s property line goes right up to the curb. It does not. The public owns a certain amount of the land behind the curb (right of way) that extends into the residential or business property line. The size of the right of way is not the same for every property. The right of way area behind the curb is also used for snow storage when the city plows streets. The city administers the use of this area through a permitting process. Contact City Engineering office at 507-645-3020 for further assistance.

14. What is an easement?

An easement is a right the property owner has given to another person or entity to utilize land that the person or entity does not own. Easements can be used for roads, water and sewer lines, drainage, and ponding, or be utilized by private utility companies for the right to bury cables or access utility lines.
Typically, easements are either included as part of the original plat of the property or have been established through negotiation with a property owner. The easement stays in effect until the easement is no longer needed and is legally vacated. If the property is bought and sold, the easement remains in effect.
Almost every property platted in the last 20 years has an easement of some form on it. The most common form of easement in a residential area is a drainage and utility easement. This easement is normally 5 to 20 feet wide and runs on all sides of a property.

15. Can I build a fence on my property?

Typically a fence can be placed on lots. Typically six feet heights are maximum in residential rear lots and four feet in residential side yards. More information on placement, size, and code information can be found in the Land Development Code in Article 3, Section 3.3.1, Fencing and Walls:

Fencing

16. Can I dig on my own property?

Any time that digging is done on any property within the state, Minnesota Law requires that Gopher State One Call be contacted 48 hours before you plan to dig to identify if there are any utilities buried on the property.
• This service is free to the property owner.
• It is the responsibility of the property owner to conduct excavation in a careful and prudent
manner. Never assume the depth of a utility or that the depth of the utilities is consistent.
• Watch for private utilities such as sprinklers, power lines to garage or out buildings, propane gas
lines, gas grill lines or invisible fencing as these will not be located by Gopher State One Call.
Gopher State One Call

17. What is considered a blighted property?

In summary, the City ordinances recognize that if uses or structures or activities cause blight or blighting conditions described in this article are allowed to exist, undesirable neighborhoods and harm to the welfare, health and safety of the public may occur. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained any causes of blight or blighting factors upon any property. The following are considered blight:
(1) With the exception of a permitted junkyard or salvage yard, the storage or accumulation of junk or other refuse shall not be kept outside of an enclosed structure. Building materials may be kept outside of an enclosed structure for a maximum of 30 days following the expiration of a building permit for which such material has been acquired. For purposes of this subsection, the term "junk" is defined as any material or substance which does not serve, nor is it intended to serve, any useful purpose or the purpose for which it was originally intended. Junk is considered to include but not be limited to refuse, empty cans, bottles, debris, brush used furniture and appliances, and so forth.
(2) In any area the existence of a structure which, because of fire, wind, natural disaster, or physical deterioration, is no longer suitable as a dwelling, nor useful for any other purpose for which it was intended, is prohibited.
(3) In any area zoned for residential purposes, the existence of a vacant dwelling, garage, or other outbuilding, unless such building is kept securely locked, the windows are kept glazed or neatly boarded up, and is otherwise protected to prevent entrance thereto by vandals, is prohibited.
(4) In any area, the storage of junk automobiles is prohibited. For the purpose of this subsection, the term "junk automobile" shall include any motor vehicle, part of a motor vehicle, or former motor vehicle, stored in the open, which is not currently licensed for use upon the highways of the state and is either:
a. Unusable or inoperable because of lack of or defects in component parts;
b. Unusable or inoperable because of damage from collision, deterioration, or having been cannibalized;
c. Beyond repair and therefore not intended for future use as a motor vehicle; or
d. Being retained on the property for possible use of salvageable parts.

18. Who is responsible for removal of snow and ice from a public sidewalk?

During the winter it is up to each property owner to clear public sidewalks of snow and ice. City ordinance requires owners or occupants to clean the sidewalks abutting the property of snow and loose or melting ice within twelve hours after snow or ice has ceased. This is necessary to ensure the safety of people using the sidewalks during the winter. Some things to remember: 

Do

• Remove snow and ice from your sidewalks and intersection handicap ramps abutting your property with 12 hours of snowfall ending.
• Clear snow the width of the sidewalk. Remember that sidewalks are used by strollers and wheelchairs in the winter.
• Remove ice to bare pavement or make as level as possible and treat with sand, salt or similar material.
• Clear any snow that may be blocking a handicapped ramp, fire hydrant, or catch basin.

Don't

• Shovel or plow snow into the street or across the street, Violators caught shoveling snow from private property into the street will be fined.
• Overexert yourself while shoveling. Excessive strain from the cold and hard labor may cause heart attacks.

19. What are some of the most common code violations?

SIGNS - real estate, garage sale, and contractor signs placed on city right-of ways. (City staff collect hundreds of signs each year and deliver them to the Street Division at 1710 Riverview Drive at the rear of the building).
GARAGE SALES - garage sales are limited to three (3) consecutive days and not to exceed three (3) events per calendar year, per residence.
PARKING - motor vehicles parked on the street from 3 am to 6 am when space is available in the driveway. Parking on grass or lawn is prohibited.
GARBAGE CANS - containers must be stored inside a building or screened area or behind the front line of the principle building.
ABANDONED or JUNK VEHICLES - inoperable automobiles on private property for 90 days or more and have expired license tabs.
BLIGHT:
PUBLIC NUISANCES - examples include accumulation of debris/junk/pet feces and obstruction of public sidewalks and/or streets by tree limbs, bushes, building materials, vehicles, etc.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE - buildings, structures and accessory structures not maintained in good repair.
WEEDS: Lawns that are more than 12” in height or contain noxious weeds must be mowed.
RIGHT OF WAY: Weed, grass, plantings may not exceed 30 inches in the City right of way. Trees in the right of way must be trimmed to a minimum height of eight feet. This is a visibility, safety requirement.