Renovation permits and contractor licences in Minnesota

Trades that need a licence in Minnesota

• General contracting and renovation

  A licence is required of every residential building contractor and remodeler who contracts with a homeowner and offers more than one special skill. The exemption for owners is narrower than people assume: an owner working on their own property still needs a licence if the work is for speculation or resale. Ask for the licence number and check it before you sign.

  Sources:Minnesota DLI – Residential contractors, remodelers, roofers⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Electrical work

  Which edition of the National Electrical Code applies depends on the date the electrical permit is filed, not on when the work happens, and the changeover date is August 17, 2026. Homeowners can take out their own electrical permit in some cases, and the department publishes inspector directories so you can find the inspector covering your area.

  Sources:Minnesota DLI – Electrical contractors⁠(opens in a new tab)Minnesota DLI – Permits⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Plumbing

  Any business contracting to provide plumbing services must hold a plumbing contractor licence, backed by a surety bond and liability insurance. HVAC work carries a separate mechanical contractor bond requirement rather than the plumbing licence, so ask which credential a company doing both actually holds.

  Sources:Minnesota DLI – Plumbing and mechanical contractors⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Certified trades

  The 2020 Minnesota State Building Code has been effective since March 31, 2020 and is the minimum construction standard throughout all of Minnesota, but the department states that it is not enforceable by municipalities unless adopted by local ordinance. The commercial energy code was updated separately in 2024. Ask your city whether it has adopted the code and who inspects.

  Sources:Minnesota DLI – 2020 Minnesota State Building Codes⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Consumer protection

  Check a contractor, remodeler, roofer, electrician or plumber in the department's licence and registration lookup before you sign. The department publishes contractor enforcement and licensing actions, runs a contractor recovery fund for homeowners and hosts a home warranty dispute resolution process.

  Sources:Minnesota DLI – License and registration lookup⁠(opens in a new tab)Minnesota DLI – Residential contractors, remodelers, roofers⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in Minnesota

Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.

1. 1

   Check the residential building contractor or remodeler licence in the state lookup before you sign.

   Official lookup: Minnesota DLI – License and registration lookup⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   Ask whether your city has adopted the state building code by ordinance, since that is what makes it enforceable locally.

   Official lookup: Minnesota DLI – 2020 Minnesota State Building Codes⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   For electrical work, ask which National Electrical Code edition applies, because it depends on the date the permit is filed.

   Official lookup: Minnesota DLI – Electrical contractors⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   For plumbing, confirm the business holds a plumbing contractor licence with its bond and insurance in place.

   Official lookup: Minnesota DLI – Plumbing and mechanical contractors⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   Ask who is pulling each permit, since the state issues some trade permits and your city issues the building permit.

   Official lookup: Minnesota DLI – Permits⁠(opens in a new tab)

6. 6

   Confirm the contractor's licence and insurance with your state or county government, and get the work, materials and price in writing.

   Official lookup: FTC – How to avoid a home improvement scam⁠(opens in a new tab)