What you need to know before applying for a permit

  • When is a building permit required?
  • If you hire a contractor, the contractor will apply for the permit.
  • All exterior residential construction projects valued at more than $25,000 must submit a Residential Construction Management Acknowledgement form before a permit is issued. This includes new builds or major remodels, expansions, demolitions, and more. The form also applies to vacant buildings. A copy of the form may be found here.

Hours

DSI Main Office/Permit Desk Hours: 8:00 am-4:00 pm (Mon - Fri), closed Weekends & Holidays (Beginning June 6, 2023 the main office will open at 9:00 am the first Tuesday of each month.) 

Building Permit Process

Homeowner

The following 2 forms will need to be completed, signed and submitted along with the construction plans.

Licensed Building Contractor

Making the Rounds

Required for new construction (IRC Single family dwelling, Two-family dwelling, Townhouse; IBC new construction and additions) Prior to submitting the building permit application to DSI, the applicant shall submit the building permit application form along with the survey and plans to the following Public Works departments who will sign the back of the application form in the applicable boxes.

Submittal Methods for Permit Applications

  • Email: Applications accepted via email include General Building Permit, Fence Permit/Plan Review, and Demolition Permits. (NOTE: When submitting permit applications and plans via email, please be sure all attachments are pdf file format only. Please, convert PNG, JPEG, etc files to pdf before submitting your application.)  DO NOT INCLUDE CREDIT CARD INFORMATION ON ANY APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY EMAIL: emailto:DSI-BuildingPlanReview@ci.stpaul.mn.us
  • Fax: 651-266-9124
  • Mail: Department of Safety and Inspections,  375 Jackson St, Suite 220,  Saint Paul, MN 55101-1806
  • In person:  8:00 am - 4:00 pm (Free parking is provided in the surface lot at the corner of 6th St E and Jackson St)
  • Electronic Plan Review (ProjectDox)
    • Follow this link for information on ProjectDox.
      • A General Building Permit Application must be submitted per one of the above methods. Check “Yes” for Electronic Plan Review Requested and include an email address to receive upload link.
      • Once the permit application is entered, you will receive an email with a link to upload your drawings.

Building Permits

For general building permit information, please review:

Last Edited: April 30, 2024