Zoning permits are required for the construction or placement of any structure on your property. This process ensures that your property remains compliant with current setbacks and land use activities of the zoning district you are located in. Placing a structure without a permit can cause your property to become a non-conforming parcel, which can be time consuming and costly to correct.
Online Permitting & Fees
All Houston County zoning permit applications are to be submitted through our online permitting system. You can begin the application process by finding your property on Beacon. When applying online you will automatically receive email notifications about the progress of your application, and you can log in anytime to view the status of your application. When applying for any type of zoning permit you are required to inform your Township of the application.
At this time, we do not accept card payments. Payment can be dropped off or mailed to the Zoning & Planning Department at 304 South Marshall Street - Room 209, Caledonia, MN 55921.
E911 Address
The Zoning & Planning Department works with the Highway Department and Surveyors Department to assign E911 addresses to all permitted structures and buildings in Houston County including dwellings, shops, cabins, telecommunications towers, and more. If you are building a structure that needs an address, contact the Zoning & Planning Department.
Staff will need to know the location of the proposed structure and driveway. If you are installing a new driveway or changing the use of an existing driveway you will need to contact the appropriate road authority to get the driveway location approved.
The project owner of operator will need to obtain an NPDES/SDS Construction Stormwater Permit prior to beginning any work associated with a zoning permit that will result in the disturbance of:
For more information visit: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Construction Stormwater
Building Code
While Houston County does not enforce building code, Minnesota Statute requires that appropriate plumbing and electrical inspections are completed.
Conditional Use Permits, Interim Use Permits, Variance Requests, and Zoning Amendments
Variance requests are reviewed monthly by the Board of Adjustment. Conditional Use Permits (CUPs), Interim Use Permits (IUPs), and Zoning Amendments are reviewed monthly by the Planning Commission and presented to the Board of Commissioners for a final decision.
Municipalities
Municipalities administer their own planning and zoning within their city limits. Contact city administrators for more information regarding permits and building code.
Online Permitting & Fees
All Houston County zoning permit applications are to be submitted through our online permitting system. You can begin the application process by finding your property on Beacon. When applying online you will automatically receive email notifications about the progress of your application, and you can log in anytime to view the status of your application. When applying for any type of zoning permit you are required to inform your Township of the application.
E911 Address
The Zoning & Planning Department works with the Highway Department and Surveyors Department to assign E911 addresses to all permitted structures and buildings in Houston County including dwellings, shops, cabins, telecommunications towers, and more. If you are building a structure that needs an address, contact the Zoning & Planning Department.
Staff will need to know the location of the proposed structure and driveway. If you are installing a new driveway or changing the use of an existing driveway you will need to contact the appropriate road authority to get the driveway location approved.
- If your property is located off a Township Road, you will need to contact your elected Township Official for approval.
- If your property is located off a County Road, you will need to complete the driveway application and receive approval from the Houston County Highway Department. The driveway application for County Roads can be found here: Houston County Driveway/Access Permit
- If your property is located off a State Highway, you will need to complete the driveway application and receive approval from the MnDOT. The driveway application for State Highways can be found here: MnDOT Driveway/Access Permit
The project owner of operator will need to obtain an NPDES/SDS Construction Stormwater Permit prior to beginning any work associated with a zoning permit that will result in the disturbance of:
- One acre or more of soil.
- Less than one acre of soil if the activity is part of a large "common plan of development or sale" that covers more than one acre (typically subdivisions of housing or projects with work that will take place at a later time).
For more information visit: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Construction Stormwater
Building Code
While Houston County does not enforce building code, Minnesota Statute requires that appropriate plumbing and electrical inspections are completed.
- For electrical inspections of all structures, please contact Dylan Becker at 612-394-5206.
- For commercial plumbing inspections, please contact Kara Topper at 651-279-3418.
Conditional Use Permits, Interim Use Permits, Variance Requests, and Zoning Amendments
Variance requests are reviewed monthly by the Board of Adjustment. Conditional Use Permits (CUPs), Interim Use Permits (IUPs), and Zoning Amendments are reviewed monthly by the Planning Commission and presented to the Board of Commissioners for a final decision.
Municipalities
Municipalities administer their own planning and zoning within their city limits. Contact city administrators for more information regarding permits and building code.
- Building Permits, CUPs, IUPs, Variances, or Amendments
- Public Information Request
- File a Complaint
- Erosion Control Permit Application
- Property Owner Signature & Authorization Form