Housing First Minnesota staff have been working hard to gather as much information on the impact novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on residential construction. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
Last Update: March 31, 2020, 9:00 a.m.
Important Notes
Any closures taken by state and local officials is done out of precaution to slow the spread of COVID 19. This is a fluid situation changes may occur based on state and federal guidance.
Some of your trade partners, local inspectors or office staff who assist with the permitting process may be at-risk of serious complications and therefore advised to stay at home for the time being.
Resources:
Permitting Inspections, Approvals Impacts
Some Housing First Minnesota members have been notified by cities that they have halted inspections immediately. This may cause delays to projects, and in some cases, delay closings set for the coming days and weeks.
Housing First Minnesota is working closely with government partners to monitor the situation, work with cities and inform members of the latest. Please check back to this page for updates related to Minnesota building permitting and inspection information related to COVID-19.
Here’s What We Know
On Monday, several Housing First Minnesota members reported that they have been informed by local officials that the city has canceled or halted inspections.
We have been working to reach out to local government units seeking clarity on the local inspections, permitting and development approval processes. Housing First Minnesota has also been in contact with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
On Wednesday, March 18, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry advised building officials that it is important to maintain timely inspections services and that ceasing all inspection services is not an option.
Note from DLI:
Homeowners and contractors facing difficulties obtaining municipal inspections should first try to resolve the delay with the designated building official or other municipal administrator. If the building official or administrator cannot be reached, contact our enforcement staff for assistance.
- Contact: Wayne Gartland, Email, Phone: 651-284-5892
For more information, read the DLI notice or read the Department’s FAQ document.
Below is a list of local government entities that have provided us with details or have published information:
City of Alexandria: City staff is working and in-person visits to city hall are discouraged. For permit applications, print an application off of the City of Alexandria website, mail, scan or text it in, along with any necessary plans. New residential inspections are not affected, but the City will not be conducting field inspections for interior remodel projects in which the home is occupied, this includes furnace and water heater change outs.
Source: Alexandria City Staff
City of Apple Valley: Planning Commission meetings can be live streamed here
Source: Apple Valley website
City of Arden Hills: Inspections that are non-emergency and require public contact will be postponed until further notice.
Source: Arden Hills Website
City of Bemidji: Bemidji Building Department is fully staffed and functioning with precautions. Plan review and permitting are continuing but the City has implemented social distancing practices and limitations related to contact with the public at our counter. The City is working within social distance guidance and will review each on a case by case basis to ensure the safety of the public we serve as well as our staff. Bemidji has also communicated with some qualified outside staff should they need to bring in outside assistance.
Source: Bemidji City Staff
City of Big Lake: Doing mostly only new construction at the moment
Source: City Staff
City of Bloomington: State of Emergency has been declared,. Permits and inspections are being conducted as normal at this time.
Source: City Staff
City of Brainerd: Still conducting residential inspections.
Source: City Staff
City of Burnsville: Burnsville has declared a state of emergency. City hall is closed to the public and city staff is working provide services in alternate ways. Permits application and plan review services are available online. The city is suspending inspections for permits that require in interior inspection such as a water heater, furnace, interior remodel, etc. until 4/15. No changes for exterior inspections where access to the home or residents are not necessary. Zoning and land use applications are still being processed.
Source: Burnsville City Staff
City of Chaska: Doing inspections for projects, but not for things such as water heaters, furnaces, etc.
Source: City of Chaska
City of Coon Rapids: Building Inspections is modifying activities to the following: No residential home inspections will take place March 17-30. After March 30, services will be re-evaluated, No rental inspections will take place March 17-30, Commercial inspections will continue. Call 763-767-6476 to schedule, Staff are available for emergency situations
Source: Coon Rapids Website
City of Corcoran: Still doing residential building inspections at this time.
Source: Metro West
City of Detroit Lakes: Still doing residential building inspections
Source: City Staff
City of Duluth: Permitting and in-process projects are continuing, including plan review and permit issuance. The city is adjusting operations to accommodate remote work and remote review of applications. Inspections are continuing, plan review may be slowed. The city is continuing Planning Commission meetings and processing existing applications.
Source: City of Duluth Staff
City of Eagan: Inspections that require access an occupied home (water furnace, windows, furnace, etc.) will not be completed at this time. Inspections for exterior features (siding, roofing, sprinkler systems,etc.) can be scheduled. Some inspections may be permitted to occur via live video, recorded video, or pictures. Inspections for a new or unoccupied homes will be conducted at this time.
Source: City Website
City of Elk River: Still doing new construction inspections and other larger projects (i.e. basement finishes) but not doing smaller inspections such as furnaces, appliances, windows, etc.
Source: City Staff
City of Golden Valley: A local emergency has been declared and as of March 16, all building inspections and inspections of other permits (ROW, stormwater, etc.) are postponed until further notice.
Source: City of Golden Valley Website
City of Ham Lake: The city is doing new construction inspections, only doing exterior inspections on existing and occupied homes.
Source: City Staff
Isanti County: Permit projects are being accepted and reviewed as normal.
Source: City Staff
City of Lakeville: The following is an official update form Lakeville: “In an effort to take proactive measures to protect the health and safety of the Lakeville community, our Building Inspections Department requests that customers limit their in-person interactions as much as possible. You can obtain many residential building permits online. For more details, visit Building Inspections webpage or call 952-985-4440.” As for development applications, “The City is reviewing how upcoming public meetings like the Planning Commission and City Council will be held, keeping in mind our state statutory obligations. We will do our best to process development applications in a timely manner following state statutes while keeping the public, staff, and City officials safe.”
Source: City of Lakeville Website / Staff Email
City of Lexington: Still conducting residential inspections.
Source: City Staff
City of Medina: Still doing residential building inspections at this time.
Source: Metro West
City of Minnetonka: At this time, Minnetonka is continuing to conduct building inspections.
Source: Minnetonka Community Development Director Email
City of Minnetrista: The city is still doing residential building inspections
Source: City Staff
City of New Hope: All building inspections and inspections of other permits (ROW, stormwater, etc) are postponed until further notice.
City of Plymouth: Operations are normal at present.
Source: Plymouth City Staff
City of Prior Lake: Prior Lake has suspended interior inspections on occupied buildings until further notice; however, the City will continue to conduct exterior inspections and inspections on unoccupied new construction buildings using the recommendations for screening, social distancing, eliminating contact, sanitizing, etc.
Source: Prior Lake Website
City of Ramsey: Has declared a State of Emergency but are still accepting and reviewing permits and conducting inspections as normal.
Source: City Staff
City of Robbinsdale: Will continue to complete inspections in remodel projects or new commercial & residential builds in order to keep projects moving along. All other inspection requests will be postponed until after the first of the Month. (this date may be extended depending on the situation)
Source: City Staff
City of Rogers: Still doing residential building inspections at this time.
Source: Metro West
City of Roseville: Permits can still be applied for and paid for online. Inspection Requests: Call 651-792-7080
Source: City of Roseville
City of Savage: To limit exposure for City staff, beginning March 17, the City of Savage will temporarily stop non-emergency building inspections (e.g. water heaters, water softeners, windows, furnaces/AC, basement finishes etc.) and water utility appointments in occupied buildings. All new construction project inspections will continue.
Source: Savage City Staff
City of Sauk Rapids: City operations are continuing as normal, with staff . Building inspections are unaffected. Permit applications can be done in-person, online or via mail.
City of Shakopee: Non-emergency building inspections in occupied buildings (e.g., water heaters, furnace and air conditioners, basement finishes, etc.) All new construction project inspections will continue.
Source: City of Shakopee Staff
City of St. Michael: Building permits are still being accepted and reviewed at this time. Inspections of new construction and ongoing projects will proceed. However, non-essential inspections such as water softeners, rental inspections, water heaters, etc. will cease to take place.
Source: City Staff
City of Stillwater: The city has declared a State of Emergency. Building permits are still being accepted and reviewed as normal. Inspections of new and unoccupied homes are still being conducted as normal. This may be changed to be via phone, Skype, etc. Inspections of occupied home continue at this time with added precautions (masks, cloves, etc.) .
City of Victoria: Building permits are still being accepted and reviewed electronically. The city will continue to provide building inspections for new construction and for life/safety issues. They will temporarily delay non-essential residential inspection such as change-outs of furnaces, air conditioning units, water heaters and water softeners.
Source: City Staff
City of Wayzata: Wayzata is not currently entering any occupied structures but will continue to complete inspections for unoccupied structures. Wayzata will continue to accept permit applications and we will continue to review and issue permits for applications that it currently has.
Source: Wayzata City Staff
City of West St. Paul: Permits are still being accepted and reviewed electronically. Inspections of commercial properties and unoccupied homes are still being conducted at this time. Projects with pre-determined deadlines are being inspected under the conditions that those living in the home are not currently sick and have not shown symptoms of illness in the previous two weeks.
Source: City Staff
City of Woodbury: New residential permitting and inspections will continue. Remodeling inspections have been put off until end of month. All scheduling is on hold. There is a possibility of inspections on iPads.
Source: Woodbury City Staff
Housing First Minnesota staff is working around the clock to keep you aware of the latest information about COVID-19. For the latest news and information, visit housingfirstmn.org, the Housing First Minnesota blog, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
