Olmsted County, MN Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

06 of the Olmsted County Zoning Ordinance makes it unlawful to use, occupy, or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or part of one, that has been created, erected, changed, converted, altered or enlarged in use or structure, until the Zoning Administrator has issued a zoning certificate stating the use conforms to the ordinance. 04, the zoning ordinance's jurisdiction 'shall apply to all the area of Olmsted County outside the incorporated limits of municipalities,' so cities like Rochester, Stewartville, Byron, Eyota, Oronoco and Pine Island issue their own permits and this section does not reach them.

04 places the compliance duty directly on property owners, architects, contractors, subcontractors and builders, requiring them to confirm before starting any work that it does not conflict with the ordinance. 06 requires the zoning certificate to state specifically how the structure or use differs from the ordinance's standards, so the Zoning Administrator can track the extent of the nonconformity going forward. 00 and may designate Rochester-Olmsted Planning Department staff to act on these permits. 02, the Zoning Administrator's duties include issuing zoning certificates and other required permits, inspecting buildings and land for compliance, and maintaining permanent records of certificates, amendments, conditional uses and variances.

Certain activities, including construction of a dam or an on-site septic system and repair of a flood-, fire- or tornado-damaged structure, require a permit from the Zoning Administrator verifying compliance with the floodplain regulations before work begins, separate from the general zoning certificate.