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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Required before construction
Certificate of Compliance plus building permit
Reviewing agency
County Zoning Administrator
County response time
3 business days after notification
Septic areas
On-site waste permit needed before building permit
Applies to
Unincorporated county and townships

Summary

Washington County requires a Certificate of Compliance and building permit before any structure is erected, moved onto a lot, or structurally altered in the unincorporated county. Chapter One Section 11.1 of the Development Code puts the County Zoning Administrator in charge of confirming Development Code compliance before the local building official issues a permit.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Washington County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

SECTION 11. OTHER PERMITS 11.1 Building Permits. (1) Structures shall not be erected, moved onto property or structurally altered until a Certificate of Compliance has been issued by the County Zoning Administrator indicating that the existing or proposed structure and the use of the land are in compliance with the Development Code. (2) The local building official shall notify the County prior to the issuance of any building permit for a new structure or expansion in square footage of an existing structure. The County Zoning Administrator shall review the building permit application for compliance with standards contained in the Development Code. Construction details will not be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator shall provide a response to the local building official regarding the Development Code requirements for said project within three (3) business days of notification.

View official code

Full Breakdown

1(2) requires the local building official to notify the county before issuing any building permit for a new structure or for a square-footage expansion of an existing one; the Zoning Administrator reviews the application against Development Code standards, not construction details, and must respond to the local building official within three business days of notification. 1(3) bars site work, including rough grading, driveway construction, footing excavation and tree removal, before a building permit and other required use permits are issued. 2(1) adds that no building permit for a use requiring on-site waste treatment can issue until the Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an on-site waste disposal permit. This approval chain applies to unincorporated Washington County and its townships; incorporated cities issue their own building permits under their own municipal codes.

Violations & Fines

Proceeding with construction, site work or a structural alteration without the required Certificate of Compliance and building permit is a Development Code violation. Under Chapter One Section 15.1, any violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both, plus the cost of prosecution, and the county can order work stopped until the compliance certificate and permit are obtained.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who reviews building permit applications in Washington County?
The local building official issues the permit, but must first notify the County Zoning Administrator, who reviews the application for Development Code compliance and has three business days under Section 11.1(2) to respond before the permit can be issued.
Can I start grading before I get a permit?
No. Section 11.1(3) bars site work such as rough grading, driveway construction, footing excavation and tree removal until the building permit and any other required use permits have been issued by the county or local building official.
Do I need a separate permit if my lot isn't on public sewer?
Yes. Section 11.2(1) prevents a building permit for any use requiring on-site waste treatment from being issued until the Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an on-site waste disposal permit for the property.
Does this permit process apply inside Woodbury or Stillwater?
No. Chapter One's building permit chain governs unincorporated Washington County and its townships. Woodbury, Stillwater and the county's other cities run their own building permit process through their own building departments.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washington County

Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesLight Restrictions

All Washington County rules

Compare Washington County to another location·View the Minnesota building safety overview

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