Building/Inspections Department

The Building Department administers and enforces the building code and related ordinances to ensure all construction meets state and city requirements. We also verify that contractors applying for permits are properly licensed.

Our responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and processing building permit applications
• Verifying state contractor licenses or issuing City licenses for HVAC, commercial builders, and fire suppression
• Conducting on-site inspections for residential and commercial construction to ensure compliance with structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and septic codes

The City of Ham Lake has adopted the Minnesota 2020 Building Code as its official building code. You can access the Minnesota Building Code on the State of Minnesota Website.

Building Department contacts/questions:

For construction code questions, contact the Building Official.
For zoning questions, contact the City Planner.
For general permit questions, contact the Building Permit Technician.
(Contact information is located in the column to the right.)

Ham Lake Fee Schedule Effective 3/2/2026

Fee Schedule

---

 Permit Application Process: What to expect

After your permit application has been submitted (online or by paper), it will follow the process below:

• An inspector will revieiw the permit application.
• Once approved, we will call or email to arrange payment.
  • We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, cash, or checks.
• Issued permits can be picked up in person or will be emailed to you.
• Proceed with your project and schedule inspections as needed.
  • To schedule inspections, call 763‑235‑1691 or book online at Schedule an Inspection
  • Please do not wait until the last minute to schedule inspections, as time slots fill up quickly.

Current Processing Time: Permit approvals are taking approximately 3 - 4 weeks.

---

 Online Permits:

Beginning 9/17/2026, permits requiring plan review are no longer supported through the Online Permit Portal. This includes projects such as new construction, remodels, septic systems, and all commercial permits. Please refer to the section below for applications that must be submitted by email to bldgdept@hamlakemn.gov or in person at Ham Lake City Hall.

Permits commonly accepted online include roof and siding, water softeners, water heaters, and furnace/AC replacements. If your project type does not appear in the dropdown menu or you receive a message that the permit is not supported, you will need to submit a PDF or paper application.

If you have any questions, please call the building department at 763-235-1691

Online Permit Portal 

Current Processing Time: Permit approvals are taking approximately 3 - 4 weeks.

---

 Downloadable Permit(s)

Permit application process for applications not using the online permit portal:

• Complete the fillable PDF form(s). Each construction type requires its own separate permit application.
• The following documents are required with permit submission:
  • Site Survey
  • Building plan / Blueprints
  • Please note: the city requires two printed copies of the large-format blueprints to be dropped off at our office.  We are unable to print blueprints on-site. 
• Applications may be submitted by email bldgdept@hamlakemn.gov ,  mailed, or dropped off in person at City Hall.
• Applicants without a State of Minnesota Contractor License or Bond must complete a City Contractor License application and provide a certificate of insurance listing the City of Ham Lake as the certificate holder. The license fee is $100.00.

---

 Inspections: 

Inspections can now be scheduled online at the link below.

A few things to note:

• There are two scheduling sessions to choose from (Mon–Thurs and Friday only).
• Any greyed‑out dates indicate no booking is available for that day.
• New construction Framing and Building Final inspections require one hour. Please book two 30‑minute blocks of time.
• All Roofing/Siding inspections are performed Wednesday afternoons. Please call 763‑235‑1691 to schedule.
• Be sure to complete all booking details: Name, Email (if you want confirmation emails, reminders, and rescheduling/cancel options), property address, and inspection type.
  • More than one inspection type may be selected. For example, you can choose a building inspection and a mechanical inspection, but you cannot choose two building inspections. If you need two building inspections, select one and add the second in the comments.

Schedule an Inspection

---