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 and use of the Minnesota State Building Code

• Counties that have adopted the 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)

Current Minnesota Building Code Documents

These files do not include language from a model code that has been incorporated by reference, only amendments made to a model code.

• Chapter 1300 Administration of the State Building Code

• Chapter 1301 Building Official Certification

• Chapter 1302 Construction Approvals

• Chapter 1303 Minnesota Provisions of the State Building Code

• Chapter 1305 Adoption of the 2012 International Building Code

• Chapter 1306 Special Fire Protection Systems (optional)

• *Chapter 1307 Elevators and Related Devices

• Chapter 1309 Adoption of the 2012 International Residential Code

• Chapter 1311 Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings

• *Chapter 1315 Adoption of the 2017 National Electrical Code

• Chapter 1322 Residential Energy Code

• Chapter 1323 Commercial Energy Code

• Chapter 1325 Solar Energy Systems

• Chapter 1335 Floodproofing Regulations

• *Chapter 1341 Minnesota Accessibility Code

• Chapter 1346 Adoption of the 2012 International Mechanical/Fuel Gas Codes

• *Chapter 1350 Manufactured Homes

• *Chapter 1360 Prefabricated Buildings

• *Chapter 1361 Industrialized/Modular Buildings

• Chapter 1370 Storm Shelters (Manufactured Home Parks)

• *Chapter 4714 Minnesota Plumbing Code

Optional Enforcement

• Chapter 1306 Special Fire Protection Systems, either 1306.0020, subp. 2 or subp. 3

• Chapter 1305 Appendix J of the 2012 International Building Code

* These codes have specific statutory authority and with limited exception, are mandatory throughout the state