Updated : 04/22/2024
Overview
Per an email reply to PLRB on April 4, 2019, sent by Mary Israelson, Township Clerk; "Northern Township has not adopted the State’s building codes. Our ( Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board) joint planning office issues land use permits for building in Northern Township. Therefore, we don’t require building inspections prior to occupancy."
The Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board issues land permits under its zoning ordinance; § 1112 found under Article XI: Subdivisions and Planned Unit Developments. Due to some ambiguous language found in this section, PLRB requested clarification of the City of Bemidji Building Department's role in permitting and inspection.
An email from Mr. Kerby, Building Official dated Thursday, April 4, 2019 states:
"The Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board is the zoning and planning entity for the City of Bemidji and the Adjoining Northern Township. As such they are involved in reviewing the proposed projects for determining allowable uses and structure placement. Their role in the City of Bemidji is not to review or enforce building code. They do not perform a plan review for the Building Department. The City of Bemidji Building Department does plan review and permitting and inspections within the City of Bemidji municipal boundaries to facilitate compliance with the 2015 MN State Building Code which is the current code for all of Minnesota."
Helpful resources for Northern Township, Minnesota include the following.