What Good Does a Permit Do?

Your home or business is an investment.  If your construction project does not comply with the minimum codes adopted by your community, the value of your investment could be reduced.  Property insurers may not cover the work done without permits and inspections.  If you decide to sell a home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied or do costly repairs.

A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met, as demonstrated by a code official's carefully maintained records, has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.

Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety and welfare.  By following code guidelines, your completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends or future owners.

You should be aware that Minnesota Statue 299F.362 requires that every dwelling unit of the state of Minnesota be provided with smoke detectors.

The following requirements must be met.

1. Every dwelling unit within a dwelling shall be provided with a smoke detector meeting the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., or approved by the International Conference of Building Officials.
2. The smoke detector shall be mounted according to the manufacturer's recommendations or in sleeping room areas.
3. Smoke Detectors shall sound an alarm audible in all sleeping areas of the dwelling in which they are located.
   

Please!  Check your home for working smoke detectors.  If you do not have one or would like to know if you have an adequate amount of properly located detectors, please contact your local fire or building official.