The City of Madelia has adopted the MN State Building Code as of January 1st, 2024. Please visit the MN Department of Labor and Industry for more information. They provide a complete guide for both the Commercial and Residential code, along with fact sheets, reports, publications and laws and rules.
Each application for a permit to construct or alter a building shall be accompanied by a detailed plan drawn to scale and location as needed. Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety and welfare. By following code guidelines, your completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends, or future owners.
All building, maintenance, and plumbing applications will be provided by the city through Harry Jenness Inspections LLC.
There are 2 ways to complete and submit a permit:
1.) Print application here, complete and email to cityhall@madeliamn.com -OR-
2.) Stop by city hall to complete.
Contact Information
Harry Jenness Inspections LLC
Phone: (507)388.4550
Email: harjenj@aol.com
Call Before You DIG!
Gopher State One Call
1.800.252.1166 or dial #811
Madelia City Hall
18 Drew Ave SE
Madelia MN 56062
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (507)642.3245
Fax (507)642.8556
When is a permit required?
By Definition: A general building permit is required for anyone who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any gas, mechanical, electrical, plumbing system, or other equipment, the installation of which is regulated by the code: or cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
Other Work Requiring a Permit:
- Detached accessory structures, such as tool or garden sheds require a building AND zoning permit if they are 200 square feet or larger. Structures under 200 square feet do not require a building permit but STILL require a zoning permit. (See Zoning/Land Use/Variance section below)
- Decks and platforms require a building permit unless not more than 30-inches above adjacent grade and not attached to a structure with frost footings and which is not part of an accessible route.
- New exterior stairs attached or unattached to the structure of the home such as concrete, wood, or composite stairs.
- Retaining walls supporting over 4-feet of earth. Measured in height from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.
- Fences will require a zoning permit. (See Zoning/Land Use/Variance section below)
- In-ground and above found swimming pools with a capacity of 5000 gallons.
- One-story detached accessory structures, used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet will require a zoning permit. (See Zoning/Land Use/Variance section below)
Work Exempt From a Permit:
- Decks and platforms that do not act as landings outside an exterior door, are not more than 30″ above grade and not attached to a structure with frost footings.
- Retaining walls supporting less than 4 feet of earth.
- Residential sidewalks and driveways do not require a building permit, but so require a zoning permit.
- Painting, wall papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
- Minor earth work associated with gardens or landscaping that do not effect drainage patterns.
The statements above are intended as general circumstances when permits are necessary. You are advised to contact Harry in specific cases to determine if a building and/or zoning permit is required. Permits may be issued to the homesteader of the property for single and two-family residential construction or to a licensed contractor.
Applications:
Building, Plumbing and Mechanical Application
Property Owner Waiver
Minnesota State Contractor Law
Valuation Permit Fee Schedule
General Permit Fees
New house construction checklist
Building permits approved and/or issued shall expire 180 days from the approval date on the permit if construction has not begun or has not been completed. If additional time is needed, an extension may be granted.
Your project shall not start until you have paid for your building permit. If you begin your project prior to applying for and paying for your permit, you are subject to fine.
Inspections are required upon completion and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance
To schedule an inspection:
Call Harry (507)388.4555
ZONING/LAND USE/VARIANCE PERMITS
Madelia’s Zoning Map can be accessed by clicking here
Zoning/Special Use permits are approved in house by the City Administrator. If a Special Use Variance/Conditional use permit is needed in addition, this will be brought to the planning commission who meets the second Tuesday of each month.
Zoning Application Process/Permit Fees:
Step 1:
– Application and Permit Fee: $50.00
There are 3 additional steps when applying for a zoning permit. These are also noted on the zoning application:
1.) You must call in a Gopher One if ANY digging is required.
2.) Once the Gopher has been done, you need to stake out your project. If digging is not needed, depending on the project, you will still need to stake it out.
3.) Complete the permit application and return it to City Hall.
The City and the Light Plant will then come out to inspect the staked out project before signing off and approving the permit.
Step 2:
-If the request needs a Special Use Variance/Conditional Use Permit, the variance fee is $100.00 in addition to the $50.00 permit fee. This fee is to host a Public Hearing and all administrative fees.
This request will be scheduled for the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting -second Tuesday of each month at 5:00p.m. in the Council Chambers. If the Planning Commission approves the request, a Public Hearing will be called for the first Council Meeting of the following month.
Public Hearing notices will be sent out to all property owners with a 350ft radius of the applicants property that is requesting the Special Use Variance/Conditional Use Permit.
Step 3:
– If everything is approved by the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustments and Appeals/Public Hearing and City Council, the applicant will also need to submit a check made payable to the “Watonwan County Recorder” in the amount of $46.00 to record the Facts and Findings.