Nine Common Myths About the Minnesota State Building Code


Fantasy: The proprietor occupant does not want to drag permits – permits are just for contractors.

Fact: When you’re the proprietor occupant, you will have the…ahem, privilege of pulling a allow with out having to be a licensed contractor. It does not imply you may skip pulling a allow.

Fantasy: Kitchen remodels do not want permits as a result of the code particularly says that cupboards, counter tops, and flooring coverings do not require permits.

Fact: Whereas cupboards, counter tops, and flooring do not require permits, nearly any plumbing or electrical work does. Most kitchen remodels will embody each.

Fantasy: Decks which might be lower than thirty inches excessive do not want a allow.

Fact: A allow just isn’t required if the deck is lower than thirty inches excessive, not hooked up to the home, AND it isn’t a part of an accessible route. (MN Guidelines 1300.0120, subp. 4, A (7))

Fantasy: Constructing allow charges are simply one other approach for the federal government to get extra taxes.

Fact: Constructing allow kulturvärden utredning charges are speculated to cowl the executive prices concerned with enforcement of the code – these charges mustn’t help different authorities capabilities. I would wish to say they do not, however I can not show that. “Charges established by the municipality have to be by authorized means and have to be honest, cheap, and proportionate to the precise value of the service for which the charge is imposed.” (MN Guidelines 1300.0160, subp 2)

Fantasy: Constructing officers have no legal responsibility.

Fact: They are not liable so long as they’re “appearing for the jurisdiction in good religion and with out malice within the discharge of the duties required by the code.” (MN Guidelines 1300.0110, subp. 9) This does not imply they’re untouchable.

Fantasy: Carbon monoxide alarms are required identical to smoke detectors are.

Fact: The requirement for smoke detectors is a Minnesota Statute ( 299F.362 ), and is enforced by Minnesota Statute 326B.106 (subp. 4 (b)). CO alarms are required by Minnesota Statute ( 299F.51 ), however there is no such thing as a requirement for the constructing inspections division to implement them. Nonetheless, I’ve heard that the majority do. One might actually problem a constructing official on this requirement, however why? They’re life security units.

Fantasy: Double cylinder (aka – double keyed) deadbolts will not be allowed by code.

Fact: They are not allowed on new development, however they can be utilized on current buildings. Which means you may legally set up a double cylinder deadbolt lock on your house after you will have your certificates of occupancy. “No provision of the code or appendix chapter of the code might prohibit double cylinder useless bolt locks in current single-family properties, townhouses, and first flooring duplexes used completely as a residential dwelling.” (MN Statute 326B.106 (g)). Key phrase – current.

Fantasy: That room within the basement with a low ceiling could be completed off and made in to a bed room.

Fact: The Minnesota State Constructing Code defines that room as a crawl house. “CRAWL SPACE. Areas or rooms with lower than 7 ft ceiling top measured to the completed flooring or grade under.” (MN Guidelines 1309.0202 )

I am a second technology house inspector. My expertise with house reworking and development started at age 4 once I helped my dad steam wallpaper, and continued from there.

I’ve discovered house inspections to be a particularly rewarding profession, and I like educating my shoppers about how their properties work. I additionally get pleasure from working with shoppers that ask a whole lot of questions – I am a pure instructor.


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