Information for Residents

Property owners doing work on their own property may apply for building permits without the need for a contractor’s license unless the project involves gas lines. Any work with gas lines requires a City of North St. Paul Mechanical license and certificate of insurance.

Do I Need a Permit?

Most home building and remodeling projects require a permit through the City before starting construction; some projects are exempt including:

  • Painting, flooring, cabinets, countertops or similar work
  • Swings and/or playground equipment

Questions on permits? Contact City Hall. We’re here to help.

Does Your home building or remodeling project require a permit? 

Most remodeling/building projects such as building a deck, new home, basement finish/remodel and other common home improvement projects require a building permit and sometimes a zoning permit which must also be submitted to the City for a plan review. All permitted projects must be inspected when completed.

Projects requiring a permit include: 

  • All accessory buildings or shed projects require a permit.
    • Buildings or sheds 200 square feet or less require a shed permit.
    • Buildings or sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit. 
  • All deck projects require a permit.
    • A deck/platform that is less than 30" above grade, is not attached to a structure with frost footings, and is not part of an accessible route, requires a zoning permit. 
    • A deck/platform that is greater than 30" above grade, is attached to a structure with frost footings, or is part of an accessible route, requires a building permit. 
  • Gas or wood fireplace (mechanical permit) 
  • All fence projects require a permit (fence permit) 
  • Replacement water heaters, furnaces, and AC (mechanical permit) 
  • Replacing windows, siding and roofing (building permit) 
  • Driveways; new, expanded or replacement (driveway permit) 
  • Any interior remodels that involve demolishing, opening up walls, or moving or building walls (building permit) 
  • Insulation (building permit)
  • Swimming pools (building permits and zoning permits required as applicable)
  • Adding an outlet (electrical permit)  

Permit application process

To obtain a permit, you must submit a permit application. Please allow 10 business days if a City plan review is needed

  • Once your permit is approved, construction must be underway within 180 days or a new permit will be required.
  • Upon finishing the work, please make sure to contact the City so an inspection can be conducted. Inspections are completed by various entities including MNSpect (building, mechanical, plumbing), Tokle (electrical) and City staff (zoning, right of way, trenching).
  • A minimum notice of 24 hours is required for all inspections.