Permits, Licenses & Applications

Notice and Reminders to Jackson Residents
~ Permits and Licenses Needed ~

BUILDING PERMITS: No buildings or structures regulated by the Minnesota State Building Code shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has first been obtained from the building official. (Permits are required for the change-out of a water heater or furnace.) Before making an excavation or opening more than 18” deep for which a building permit is required, application for such permit must first be made at City Hall. Permits shall not be required for the following:

A.  Building:

1. one-story detached accessory structures, used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.5mm2) (Zoning Permit required for this type of structure);
2. fences not over six feet (1,829 mm) high;
3. oil derricks;
4. retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or Ill-A liquids;
5. water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1;
6. sidewalks and driveways that are not part of an accessible route;
7. decks and platforms not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade and not attached to a structure with frost footings and which is not part of an accessible route;
8. painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work;
9. temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery;
10. prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy, which are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons (19,000 L) and are installed entirely above ground;
11. window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3, and Group U occupancies;
12. movable cases, counters, and partitions not over five feet, nine inches (1,753 mm) in height; and
13. agricultural buildings as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.60, subdivision 5. Unless otherwise exempted, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits are required for subitems (I) to (13).

B.  Gas:

1. portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying appliances; and
2. replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make the equipment unsafe.

C. Mechanical:

1. portable heating appliances
2. portable ventilation appliances and equipment;
3. Portable cooling units;
4. steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code;
5. replacement of any part that does not alter approval of equipment or make the equipment unsafe;
6. portable evaporative coolers; and
7. self-contained refrigeration systems containing ten pounds (4.kg) or less of refrigerant or that containing ten pounds (4.5 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of one horsepower (0.75 kw) or less.

D. Plumbing:
the clearing of stoppages, provided the work does not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.

E. Electrical:
an electrical permit is not required if work is inspected by the State Board of Electricity or is exempt from inspection under Minnesota Statutes, section 326.244. Emergency repairs: If equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted to the building official within the next working business day.

F. Repairs:
Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures. The repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition, or portion of a wall or partition, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load bearing support. or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement, or relocation of any stand¬pipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring, or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.

Contractors, Please Note: Unless an exemption has been filed, residential contractors must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Dog & Cats:
It is unlawful for any person who is the owner, or other person in possession of a dog or cat to permit such animal to run at large; such dog or cat shall not be deemed to be running at large if it is on a leash or otherwise under the control of an accompanying person.

“No one shall keep or maintain more than 3 dogs (more than 3 months old) or 5 cats (more than 2 months old) on the same premises, whether owned by the same person or not.”   Persons violating the above ordinance are guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished accordingly.  Annual licenses are $10.00 for each dog and cat.

Permits Required for the Following:

• Tree Planting:  When planting trees on city boulevards, street rights-of-way or on personal property, you must first obtain a permit (at no charge) from the City. Purpose of permit is to avoid interference with underground or overhead electric lines, cables, and underground water and sewer lines.
• Excavation/Curb:  Curb cuts and excavation of any municipal streets require that an application be made at City Hall for a permit, with deposit.
• Water & Sewer Lines:  Permits required for a proposed water or sewer line.
• Demolition:  Permit (at no charge) required for the demolition of a building. (Use the Building Permit and check demolition)
• Sidewalk:  Permit required for the construction or reconstruction of any public sidewalk within the corporate limits.
• Transportation (moving):  Permit required whenever a building or structure is moved within the city limits. If a building or structure is moved through the city, a permit is mandatory only if such move results in the use of a municipal street(s). A $50 fee is required if the object moved is more than 8’6” wide, 13’6” high and 20’ long. Traffic control and utility service fees may apply.
• Zoning:  Zoning or use permit may be required for the placement of a building, structure, lawn ornament, sandbox, planter, fence, etc., on a property, even though there may be no need for a building permit.

Be sure to call GOPHER ONE before digging any deeper than 12" (it’s the law), 1-800-252-1166 or www.gopherstateonecall.org
Contractor's Recovery Fund: The Contractor's Recovery Fund compensates owners or lessees of residential property in Minnesota who have suffered an actual and direct out-of-pocket loss due to a licenses contractor's fraudulent, deceptive or dishonest practices, conversion of funds or failure of performance. You are ineligible to the Contractor's Recovery Fund if you hire an unlicensed contractor.

Click below for a link to see if your contractor is licensed by the State of Minnesota: 

• https://secure.doli.state.mn.us/lookup/licensing.aspx

As of January 1, 2013 the City of Jackson will follow said refund policy:

1. building permit fees minus the state surcharge will be refunded if the construction project has not started during the 180 day validation of the permit. Once the 180 days has passed, 50% of the permit shall be refunded.
2. Commercial and industrial building permits which require a plan review fee will only be refunded if the plan review process has not begun. Once staff has reviewed the submitted documents, only the permit fee will be refunded.

Click here for the form to nominate a Jackson Trail User of the Month.

TREE PLANTINGS:  When planting trees on city boulevards, street rights-of-way or on personal property, you must first obtain a permit (at no charge) from the City. Purpose of permit is to avoid interference with underground or overhead electric lines, cables, and underground water and sewer lines.