Overview of the Minnesota State Building Code

Every six years, our agency adopts new building codes designed to promote cost-effective ways of ensuring building safety and efficiency.

The Minnesota State Building Code is the minimum construction standard throughout all of Minnesota including all cities, townships and counties. Although it isn't enforceable by municipalities unless it is adopted by local ordinance, the State Building Code creates a level playing field for the construction industry by establishing the construction standard for all buildings in the state. 

• View the 2020 Minnesota State Building Codes.

• View the 2015 Minnesota State Building Codes.

Information about the Minnesota State Building Code

• Makeup of the Minnesota State Building Code

• Code Publication availability; List of codes and reference manuals; Desirable handbooks and/or standards for code enforcement

• Responsible agencies and industry resources

• Building code enforcement for public buildings and state-licensed facilities

• Counties that have adopted the Minnesota State Building Code

• Effective dates of Minnesota code adoptions

  • Sample ordinance - self-perpetuating

  • Fee schedule extracted from 1997 Uniform Building Code

  • Fee schedule extracted from 1994 Uniform Building Code

  • Fee schedule extracted from 1985, 1988 and 1991 Uniform Building Code

• Snow load map

• Frost depth map

• Guidelines for special inspection and testing

• Special structural testing and inspection program summary schedule

• Effective use of the International Building Code

• Manufactured home model rules and regulations and uniform administrative procedures of the Industrialized Building Code Commission.

• Effective dates for egress/emergency escape and rescue openings

Frequently used statutes

Minnesota Building Code statutes

• State Building Code; policy and purpose (16B.59-16B.75) (NEW 326B)

• Manufactured structures (327B)

Related statutes and rules

• Agricultural buildings - defined as Class 2 property (273.13 Subd. 23)

• Annual report filings (326B.145)

  • 325F.82 Definitions

  • 325F.83 Regulation of Automatic Garage Door Opening Systems

• Fairs - county agricultural societies; formation, powers (38.01)

• Fire Marshal inspection (245A.151)

• Group and family daycare facilities definitions (9502.0315)

• Hazardous and substandard buildings (463.15-463.261)

• Housing; statutory warranties (Chapter 327A)

• Joint exercise of powers (471.59)

• Physically handicapped; building regulation (471.465-571.469)

• Property complaint data (13.44)

• Smoke detectors (299F.362)

• Statutes or rules may be adopted by reference (471.62)

• Zoning control by county (394.25)

• Zoning municipalities - procedure for plan effectuation; zoning (462.357 Subd. 1)