Building Inspections FAQs

• Are building contractors required to be licensed?

  Minnesota law requires residential builders, remodelers and roofers to be licensed to help protect homeowners.

  You can verify if a contractor is licensed via the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

• Are building inspections required?

  All work is subject to inspection.

  When your permit is issued, you will receive a permit record card that lists the types of inspections you need for that project. It is the responsibility of the person who pulled the permit to call in for these inspections.

  Click here to schedule an inspection.

• As a homeowner, do I need to hire a contractor for my project?

  Unless it is natural gas work, nothing prohibits a homeowner who occupies and owns the property from doing their own work. However permits are still required.

• Do building permits expire?

  Yes, building permits expire if there has been no work or inspections conducted for 180 days.

• Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?

  If the retaining wall is over 4 feet tall (from bottom of footing/retaining wall), a building permit and engineering are required.

  The retaining wall may not encroach in the drainage of the property.

  Contact the Engineering Division with questions related to drainage.

• Do I need a permit to build a shed?

  A building permit is only required when a shed exceeds 200 square feet.

  Contact the Planning Division for additional requirements on setbacks.

• Does the City's Building Inspections Division handle electrical inspections?

  Electrical inspections are conducted by the State of Minnesota.

  Contact John Thompson, the state inspector assigned to Eden Prairie, at 763-205-5015 for electrical inspections.

• What happens if I do work without a building permit?

  Failure to obtain a permit is a violation of City ordinance and state law, so fines may be levied.

  Also, building code includes provisions for the fees to be doubled if work starts prior to obtaining a permit.

• What should be included in plans and drawings?

  Plans should be detailed and neat. They must be drawn to a usable scale, 1-quarter inch to 1 foot is a common scale. Plans should be dimensioned and include information on use of rooms, lumber sizes and spacing. Please contact the Building Inspections Division for more information pertaining a specific project.

  Exempt work includes painting, wallpapering, flooring, kitchen cabinets and detached storage structures less than 200 square feet.

• What type of work requires a permit?

  Contact the Building Inspections Division if you have any questions on whether or not you need a permit for the project you are planning.

  • Building permits are required anytime you do work that is regulated by the Minnesota State Building Code. This includes any work to the permanent weather resistive surfaces of the dwelling such as the siding, windows and roof. Any structural alterations or repairs to those items require a permit. Dwelling additions, garages and decks require a permit. If you are unsure if your project needs a permit, please call our office 952-949-8342.
  • Plumbing permits are required for the installation, alteration, repair or extension of any plumbing system or individual sewage disposal system. This includes the installation or replacement of a fixture, water heater, water softener, backflow preventer for lawn irrigation systems, and any other activity as required by the building official or plumbing inspector.
  • Mechanical permits are required for the installation, alteration, repair or extension of any heating, ventilation or exhaust system, refrigeration unit, air conditioning unit, manufactured gas or wood fireplaces and stoves, manufactured chimney and venting systems, hot water or other mechanical equipment as required by the building official or mechanical inspector.