Fees to increase for some construction-related inspections, permits

Many unchanged for 18 years, the adjustments help keep pace with rising costs for services

Starting July 1, 2025, fees for certain construction-related permits and plan reviews issued by the Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) will increase. These adjustments are necessary to keep pace with rising costs for inspection services.

Why the fees are changing

CCLD operates on a fee-for-service basis, meaning the fees collected must cover the costs of inspections and services. Over the past decade, rising costs have led to operational expenses exceeding the fees collected,
prompting the need for adjustments. Many of these fees have remained unchanged for 18 years.

What’s changing?

Beginning July 1, 2025, the revised fees will be:

Electrical inspections (last updated in 2007)

• A new $25 permit application fee.

• Minimum inspection fee: $55

• Circuit fee: $12

• A new $10 fee for remote virtual inspections

Elevator inspections (last updated in 2007)

• Annual operating permit: $145

• Reducing the inspection fee for remote virtual inspections and changing from a percentage of the cost of installation to a flat $10.

Boiler inspections (last updated in 2005)

• Boiler registrations: $25.

Plumbing plan review (last updated in 2007)

• Moving to a valuation-based fee schedule to more equitably charge for services provided.

• Example: A project with 55 drainage fixture units with a valuation of $60,000 will be charged a plan review fee of $1,774.

• Fee adjustments apply to residential buildings only when there are five or more dwellings in the building.

• Adding an hourly fee rate of $125 per hour for additional services.

Plumbing inspections (last updated in 2013)

• Moving to a valuation-based fee schedule to more equitably charge for services provided.

• Example: A remodeling project with 55 drainage fixture units with a valuation of $60,000 will be charged a permit fee of $2,743.

• Fee adjustments apply to residential buildings only when there are five or more dwellings in the building.

• Hourly fee rate: $125 per hour

Manufactured structures (last updated in 2007)

• Manufactured home installation seal fee: $325.

• New filing fee of $100 for submitting a Notice of Compliance form for the sale of a used manufactured home (effective Jan. 1, 2026).

• Hourly fee rate: $125 per hour

• Moving to a valuation-based fee schedule for modular construction to more equitably charge for services provided.

What this means for businesses and homeowners

The fee increases will affect businesses, contractors and property owners who require permits and inspections. These changes are designed to ensure that inspection services continue to operate efficiently and effectively.