Scott County Building Permits & Rules
Everything you need to know about building permits, regulations, and local requirements for home improvement projects in Scott County, Minnesota.
Scott County Building Inspections serves townships only. If your property is within city limits, contact your city's building department directly. Use the Scott County GIS system to verify if your property falls under county or city jurisdiction before applying for permits.
City Building Departments
Contact the building department for the city where your property is located. Below are the major cities in Scott County served by TenPenny Home with their office and contact details.
Scott County Building Inspections
200 4th Ave W, Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 496-8160
building.inspections@co.scott.mn.us
City of Shakopee
129 E 1st Ave, Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 233-9300
info@shakopeemn.gov
City of Prior Lake
4646 Dakota St SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372
(952) 447-9800
info@priorlakemn.gov
Common Permit Types & Typical Fees
Most home improvement projects in Scott County require permits. Fees vary by city and project scope, so always verify with your specific city.
Roofing Permit
$75 - $300Required for roof replacement, re-roofing, and structural roof repairs in Scott County townships.
- Complete tear-off and replacement
- Structural roof repairs
- Wind-rated materials for 90 MPH winds
- Ice dam barriers required
Building Permit (New Construction)
$500 - $3,000+Required for new homes, additions, garages, and structures over 200 sq ft. Fees based on project valuation.
- Two sets of building plans required
- Engineered designs sealed by licensed engineer
- Energy code compliance certificate
- Erosion control plan for new construction
Accessory Structure Permit
$200 - $800Required for accessory buildings over 200 sq ft including garages, sheds, and pole barns.
- One-story structures under 200 sq ft exempt
- Site plans showing setbacks required
- Township approval may be required
- Zoning verification needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Scott County permits, engineered drawing requirements, ePermit technology fees, contractor licensing, and unpermitted work.
What is the Scott County ePermit technology fee?
Scott County charges a technology fee on top of standard permit fees when you apply through the ePermit online portal. This is a processing fee for the online system, typically a small percentage of the permit fee. Pay by credit card at the time of application for faster processing. All documents must be properly named per county requirements or your application will be rejected and need to be resubmitted.
Does my contractor need to be licensed in Scott County?
Yes. All contractors doing permitted work must hold a valid Minnesota state license no matter which office issues the permit. HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work require specific state trade licenses. Verify any contractor at the DOLI contractor lookup before hiring. If they won't pull a permit, walk away.
What happens if I do work without a permit in Scott County?
Scott County Building Inspections can require completed work to be opened or removed for inspection at your cost. A penalty fee is charged on top of the permit fee. Unpermitted work must be disclosed when selling and can delay or kill a sale. In shoreland areas near Scott County lakes and rivers, unpermitted work may also trigger additional Planning and Zoning enforcement.
General Permit Application Process
Scott County uses an ePermit online portal for all building permit applications in townships. Over-the-counter (OTC) permits for simple projects are processed same-day. Complex projects requiring plan review typically take 1-3 weeks after all required information is received.
- Verify Jurisdiction
Use the Scott County GIS system to confirm if your property is in a township (county jurisdiction) or within city limits. Type your address or Property ID number (PID) in the GIS search bar.
- Create ePermit Account & Gather Documents
Register as a user in the Scott County ePermit Portal. Prepare all required documents in PDF format with proper naming conventions. Include site plans, engineered designs if applicable, and contractor information.
- Submit Application Online
Apply through the ePermit portal with all required documents. Pay technology fee and application fees online with credit card for faster processing. All documents must be properly named per county requirements.
- Schedule Inspections
After permit approval, schedule inspections by calling (952) 496-8160 Ext. 1. Print approved permit posting card and stamped plans in full color to keep on-site for inspectors.
Scott County Building Considerations
Climate Zone 6A
Cold climate requires R-49 attic insulation, R-20 walls, and proper air sealing per Minnesota Energy Code. Energy code compliance certificate required for new construction.
90 MPH Wind Load
Roofing and siding materials must meet wind resistance requirements. Proper fastening patterns and wind-rated products required for all exterior installations.
42" Frost Depth
All footings must extend at least 42 inches below grade to prevent frost heave. Proper foundation drainage required in all construction.
Shoreland & Agricultural Land
Properties near lakes and rivers have special shoreland requirements. Agricultural buildings may be exempt from permits under certain conditions, verify with Planning and Zoning.
Cities & Townships in Scott County
Click on your city to find local contractors and city-specific information. Not sure which jurisdiction you're in? Use the Scott County GIS system.