Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Per an email received on April 15, 2019, from Mr. George Leary, Land Use Administrator for Blue Earth County's Environmental Services Department, it has not adopted the 2015 Minnesota State Building Codes. Mr. Leary advised PLRB the county does not enforce building codes, or provide inspection services; nor does his department perform site inspections. 

The Environmental Services Department issues a "construction permit"  which is required by a property owner if they are: 1) building a structure, including agricultural structures; 2) moving a structure; 3) adding onto an existing structure, including decks; or 4) making a structural alteration, including change of rooflines and excavation for footings, foundations, slabs, basements, or other parts of a structure. 

The county's construction permit deals primarily with the site setbacks. It can take up to 10 business days from application to permit issuance and sometimes longer. A permit is valid for one year. 

Determining which permits you need for a building project, as well as who issues the permits, depends on where your project is located within Blue Earth County and the zoning classification of the property. Blue Earth County is not responsible for issuing construction permits within Mankato Township, Lime Township, or within city limits. 

See Blue Earth County, MN Zoning Ordinance Muni Code § 24-43 (a) as well as Blue Earth County, MN Shoreland Zoning Ordinance Muni Code § 14-41 (a) for further information.

Helpful resources for Blue Earth County, Minnesota include the following.

• Jurisdiction's Information Page(s):
  • BLue Earth County, MN Building Permit Webpage
• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Minnesota

Residential Building Code

Minnesota adopted a statewide mandatory residential code that will control. Authority for local amendments will be limited.See PLRB, Minnesota Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Blue Earth County adopted a code that is yet to be identified .Please contact PLRB if you would like us to research this for you.

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2020 Minnesota Residential Code (2018 IRC)(Blue Earth County, MN Sec. 8-104. - Flood fringe district (flood fringe).)

...structurally dry floodproofed in accordance with the FP-1 or FP-2 floodproofing classifications in the state building code. As an alternative, an accessory structure may be floodproofed to the FP-3 or FP-4 floodproofing classification in the state building code, provided that the accessory structure constitutes a minimal investment, does not exceed 700...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: undetermined

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Blue Earth County ? Undetermined

Commercial Building Code

Blue Earth County adopted a code that is yet to be identified .Please contact PLRB if you would like us to research this for you.

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2020 Minnesota Bldg. Code (2018 IBC)(Blue Earth County, MN Sec. 8-104. - Flood fringe district (flood fringe).)

...structurally dry floodproofed in accordance with the FP-1 or FP-2 floodproofing classifications in the state building code. As an alternative, an accessory structure may be floodproofed to the FP-3 or FP-4 floodproofing classification in the state building code, provided that the accessory structure constitutes a minimal investment, does not exceed 700...