The City of Mendota Heights employs two Code Enforcement
Officers. These code enforcement officers review
and inspect all new construction and remodeling within the City. These
individuals are responsible for enforcement of the state building code,
which has been adopted by the City of Mendota Heights. In 2001, the
City issued 1243 permits. All building permits and contractors' licenses
are issued by the code enforcement officers.
* What is a Building Permit?
*
When do you need a Building Permit?
*
Does this permit/inspection guarantee that my project
is safe and 100% compliant?
* The Building Permit Process
* State Contractor Licenses
*
City Contractor Licenses
* Informational Building Permit Handouts
* Mendota Heights City Code
What is a Building Permit?
A building permit gives you legal permission to start construction of
a building project in accordance with approved drawings and specifications.
By working with the City enforcement officers, you will benefit from
their knowledge of the building codes to help ensure your construction
project is built right, will be safe and will last.
When do you need a Building
Permit?
The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call City Hall at
(651) 452-1850. Discuss your plans with a City Code enforcement officer
before you begin construction to determine whether you need a permit.
If a permit is not needed, the code official will answer your construction
questions and may provide valuable advice.
Permits are usually required for the following:
· New Buildings
· Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms etc.)
· Residential work (decks, porches, garages, fences, fireplaces,
pools, water heaters, kennels, sheds, retaining walls, etc.)
· Remodeling (demolition, garage conversion, kitchen and
bath remodeling, re-roofing, re-stuccoing, re-siding, window replacement,
expansions, etc.)
· Accessory structures (gazebos, sheds, etc.)
· HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems)
· Signs
· Plumbing
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. It is
not possible to list every situation where a permit is required. In
general, a permit is required for most construction projects, where
something is being built, repaired, replaced or remodeled. Remember,
even when a permit is not required, there are specific location and
setback requirements that must be followed. It's a good idea to check
with City Hall anyway.
* For Informational Handouts on various
building permits, click here.
Does this permit/inspection
guarantee that my project is safe and 100% compliant?
No. A City inspection is not a guarantee that the work is free of defects.
A building inspection is an attempt to verify at the time the inspector
viewed the work, it appeared that the work complied with the code. As
soon as an inspector leaves the job site, anything can be changed. Building
inspections are intended as spot checks of construction to verify substantial
code compliance. Although City inspections may find many things that
are code violations, they cannot and are not intended to guarantee every
aspect of the work. Inspection by the City does not guarantee that the
work is free of construction defects. Contractors and material suppliers
are responsible for problems associated with construction defects.
The Building Permit Process
1. Call City Hall To Talk To Your City Code Enforcement
Officer
The City wants your project to be a success and will try
to help you avoid potential problems that could cost you time and money.
The Code Enforcement Officer will ask you some basic questions, advise
you of any requirements or additional approvals needed. They will also
provide you with resources and information needed for compliance with
the applicable building codes and give you the appropriate building
permit applications.
2. Submit Application
At this stage, you will be asked to document the details
and timeline for the job, along with any sketches or plans of the proposed
work.
3. Review Process
The Code Enforcement Officer will review your plans and
determine if your project is in compliance with local requirements.
If your plans meet these requirements, a permit is issued. If for some
reason they don't, the code official will work with you to determine
a solution to the problem.
4. Receive Permit
Now that you have been approved for a permit, you have
legal permission to start construction. A fee based on the size of the
job is collected to cover the cost of the application, the review and
the inspection process. An experienced Code Enforcement Officer is available
to you should you have any questions concerning your project. you should
consider the code enforcement officers as allies who will help you make
your project a success.
5. Job Site Inspections
On site inspections are often required to make certain
the work conforms to the permit, local codes and plans. Again, you will
have access to the expertise of the code official to help you with questions
or concerns regarding the project and to ward off potentially costly
mistakes. The code official will let you know approximately how many
inspections may be needed for your project.
6. Final Approval
The Code Enforcement Officer will provide documentation
when construction is completed and code compliance is determined. You
will then have the personal satisfaction of a job done safely and correctly.
You can enjoy your improvements with the knowledge that they meet the
safety standards in your community.
Regular City office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:00
am to 4:30 PM. Please call (651) 452-1850 to speak to a Code Enforcement
Officer or to schedule an appointment. Whenever possible, call to schedule
your inspection at least two days in advance of the desired date.
The State Department of Commerce establishes the
rules for licensing of contractors. Most contractors are required to
be licensed, however, there are some exceptions.
Who needs a state contractors license?
1. Residential building contractors that construct dwellings under 4
units;
2. Remodelers - Persons who contract to do two or more special skills
for a consumer.
Who is exempt from a state contractor's license?
1. Employees
2. Material suppliers
3. Owners doing work on their own property;
4. Architects/Engineers doing what is their scope of practice;
5. Handy persons doing jobs valued under $2,500 can exceed $2,500 if
their gross annual receipts do not exceed $15,000;
6. Plumbers, electricians and mechanical contractors;
7. Specialty contractors already licensed statewide.
For more information on state licensing, contact the MN
Department of Commerce or click on the following link. http://www.commerce.state.mn.us
The City of Mendota Heights requires all contractors
doing business in the city to either be licensed by the state or obtain
a city contractors license. To obtain a city license a contractor must
submit the following items:
* Completed application form (signed and dated). To
download form click here
* $50 license fee
* Certificate of insurance (made out to the City of Mendota Heights;
including proof of worker's compensation). Only an original copy from
the insurance company will be accepted.
The City ordinance requires the following for liability
insurance: "Any person holding a license hereunder shall file with
the City clerk policies of public liability and property damage insurance
which shall remain and be in force and effect during the entire term
of said license and which shall contain a provision that it shall not
be canceled without ten days written notice to the City. The contractor
shall procure and maintain during the life of the license period, commercial
general liability insurance covering personal injury including bodily
injury and property damage liability with a combined single limit of
no less than $500,000 for each occurrence and aggregate. Said policies
of insurance shall name the city of Mendota Heights as an additional
insured, shall hold the City harmless from any loss or damage by reason
of improper or inadequate work performed by the holder of said license,
and shall provide for indemnity and security to the city of Mendota
heights against any liability and/or responsibility for acts, actions
or omissions of the licensee of any of the agents or servants of such
licensee subject, however, to the limitations as to the amount herein
stated. No work shall be done under any license hereunder until said
insurance policies have been filed and approved by the City Clerk. A
license will be considered to have expired unless the required insurance
is renewed, and the renewal certificate is submitted to the City prior
to its expiration.
Informational Building
Permit Handouts
-
Minimum Requirements For Heated or
Air Conditioned Additions
- Minimum Requirements For Plan
Submitted Single Family Residential
New Construction
- Minimum Requirements for Single
Family Residential District: Dwellings,
Garages, Driveways, Parking, Screening
of Materials
- Property Maintenance
- Recreational Fires
-
Re-roofing
- Smoke Alarms
- Stucco Application On Wood Frame
Structures
- Swimming Pools
-
Window Glazing
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