Minnesota permits for tearing it down — not building it
Removing a structure is not the same as building one. Many Twin Cities cities do not require a permit to take down a residential deck, fence, or shed. Some do. The city always wins over a blog post — including this one.
The honest rule
Minnesota building code (Minn. Rules 1300.0120) exempts some small accessory structures from a building permit when you construct them — sheds under 200 sq ft, short freestanding decks, fences under a height cap. Removal is often even simpler, but cities amend the state code.
Historic districts, shoreline overlay, and anything attached to the house get more attention. A rotting 12×16 deck bolted to a 1950s bungalow in Minneapolis is not the same as a free-standing garden shed in Lakeville.
City-by-city, in plain language
Minneapolis: freestanding decks under 30 inches and sheds under 200 sq ft have construction exemptions. Fence work still hits zoning. If your deck is attached or on frost footings, ask the city before anyone swings a bar.
Saint Paul: similar state exemptions; demolition of larger or pre-1978 structures can trigger extra steps. Accessory teardown is usually lighter than a house wrecking permit.
Suburbs (Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Edina, Plymouth, Bloomington, Maple Grove): most homeowners tearing down a typical backyard deck, fence, or shed do not pull a full building permit. HOAs may still want notice. We flag it if your city is one that usually wants paperwork.
Who pulls it
If a permit is needed, the homeowner usually pulls it. We are outdoor demolition and haul-away, not a general contractor pulling building permits for new construction.
We don't guess you into a violation. Text the city with your photos. If that suburb typically wants a slip of paper for teardown, you'll hear it before we book the Saturday.
Questions
Sometimes. Low freestanding platforms are often exempt. Attached, elevated, or frost-footing decks are the ones to check with Minneapolis Development Review. We'll tell you if your photos look like the kind that usually need a call.
Taking a fence down is commonly unpermitted in metro suburbs. New fences are a different story. If you're only demolishing, most cities stay out of it.
No. If one is required, the property owner pulls it. We do the teardown and haul-away once you're cleared.