Washington County, Minnesota Building Permit Guide

To get a building permit in Washington County, contact the city or township where the property is. The county’s own roles are septic permits, zoning for civil townships and unincorporated areas under its Development Code, and highway access. By the Census Bureau’s latest estimates the largest cities are Woodbury (81558), Cottage Grove (43604), Oakdale (30588) and Forest Lake (20952).

This guide covers the building offices of the four largest cities, the townships that take their own applications, and the county’s septic, zoning and highway permits.

What requires a building permit in Washington County?

The Minnesota State Building Code applies statewide and supersedes local building codes, but Washington County does not enforce it: the city or township does. What changes from place to place is the office, how it takes applications and what it adds locally.

For example, Woodbury requires a permit for accessory buildings larger than 200 square feet; smaller ones need none but must still meet code and city ordinances.

Residential building contractors, remodelers and roofers, electricians and plumbers are licensed by the state Department of Labor and Industry, so the same credential is valid in Washington County as anywhere in Minnesota. Building without a required permit exposes a job to stop-work orders, penalties and delayed occupancy, and unlicensed residential contracting is a separate violation enforced by the state. How Minnesota’s statewide code works

Who handles permitting in Washington County?

The city or township issues the building permit. Cottage Grove’s building division no longer contracts for Newport, St. Paul Park, Grey Cloud Island Township or Denmark Township, so applications there go directly to them: Denmark Township, 14008 90th St S, Hastings, 651-436-1704; Grey Cloud Island Township, 651-459-6236.

The county’s Development Code governs zoning in civil townships and unincorporated areas under county jurisdiction, with a Planning Advisory Commission and a Board of Adjustment and Appeals (Zoning Administrator: 651-430-4300). Public Health and Environment issues septic permits, and Public Works, 11660 Myeron Road North, Stillwater (Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), handles highway permits.

Local rules in the largest Washington County cities

Woodbury

All permit applications go through the city’s Online Permitting Portal.

Cottage Grove

The Building Division does plan review, permits and inspections for the city itself.

Oakdale

All building permits are applied for through the city’s online services. City Hall is closed for construction and its services have moved to other city facilities.

Forest Lake

Permits are applied for online (flinspections@ci.forest-lake.mn.us). Zoning questions: 651-209-9734.

Electrical permits in Washington County

Cottage Grove’s electrical inspections are by River Heights Inspections, 651-775-1980, weekdays 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Oakdale lists tokleinspections.com or 763-200-6392, 7:30AM to 9:00AM weekdays. Woodbury requires electrical inspections to be scheduled by 9:00 a.m. for same-day service.

Whether an electrical permit goes to the state Department of Labor and Industry or to the city depends on the area: if the state’s Authority Having Jurisdiction directory lists “State”, file with the state; if it lists “Local”, contact the city or township.

Electrical and plumbing work must be done by state-licensed trades, though an individual may do electrical work on a home they own and occupy if it has its own electrical service. Whether the electrical permit comes from the state or the local office depends on whether that city or township has taken on electrical inspection. Electrical and plumbing rules in Minnesota

Washington County permit costs and fees

Building permit fees are set by each city or township. County fees include:

• Zoning (townships under county jurisdiction): Conditional Use Permit $600, Land Alteration/Grading $125, Rezoning $750.
• Highway access: Residential Driveway $150 plus a $500 deposit; Agricultural Field Access $150 plus $500; Commercial/Construction Access $500 plus a minimum $5,000 deposit.

How to get a building permit in Washington County

A Minnesota municipality may require exterior work under a building permit to be finished within a set period, but not sooner than 180 days after the permit is issued, so confirm whether Washington County has adopted such a rule. Minnesota’s statewide code rules

Inspections in Washington County

Woodbury inspections run 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (call by 9 a.m.) or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (call by 1 p.m.). Cottage Grove takes requests by email to building@cottagegrovemn.gov (site address, permit number, inspection type, date, time frame) or at 651-458-2804. Oakdale takes requests through its online portal or at 651-739-5150 once the permit is approved and paid; a request is not confirmed until you get an email, and 48 hours’ notice or more is preferred in summer. Forest Lake needs at least 24 hours’ notice, by phone only at 651-464-4349; email requests are not accepted. County septic installation inspections are scheduled 24 hours ahead at 651-430-6655.

On public buildings, state-licensed facilities and school district and charter school projects, plumbing permits and inspections generally run through the state Department of Labor and Industry rather than the local office. State plumbing review in Minnesota

Official Washington County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Washington County highway permits
• Washington County septic
• Washington County zoning and land use
• Woodbury building permits and inspections
• Cottage Grove Building Division
• Oakdale building permits
• Forest Lake building
• Minnesota DLI electrical permits for homeowners

Frequently asked questions

Does Washington County issue building permits?

No. Contact the city or township where the property is; the county issues septic permits.

Does Cottage Grove still handle Denmark or Grey Cloud Island Township permits?

No. Cottage Grove no longer contracts for them, Newport or St. Paul Park; applications go directly to those places.

What does a residential driveway onto a county highway cost?

$150 plus a $500 deposit, applied for 30 days before work.

Simplify Washington County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm which city or township issues the permit and whether electrical goes to the State or the city
• Line up the county highway, right-of-way, septic or well permits the site needs alongside the city permit
• File in each city’s own portal and book inspections the way that office takes them

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Minnesota. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Washington County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.