Permits | WTPA

First TPA Meeting

Friday, March 13, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Administrative Office
717 3rd Ave SE, Suite TPA
Rochester, MN 55904

Public notice: TPA's first meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2026 at noon.

START HERE

Not sure what permit you need? Use the checklist and project wizard first. Start all land use and development questions with WTPA so staff can help identify township permits, hearing-based approvals, and outside agency approvals.

Do I Need a Permit? Permit Assistant & Project Wizard

BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION AND ONLINE INSPECTION REQUEST PORTAL

BUILDING PERMITS – NEW PROCESS

Apply online, by mail, or in person

If an applicant does not want to apply for a building permit online, the applicant can mail or drop off the application at the TPA administration office. The address can be found on the Contact page.

Important: It’s important your application includes all the required forms. An incomplete application will add unnecessary delays to the permitting process.

Click the buttons below to see the required forms for your project. Then download those forms in the Building Permit Forms section below.

Plan Submittal & Communication Requirements

To support electronic records management, TPA requires electronic submittals in the following cases:

All plan sets larger than 11" × 17" must be submitted electronically in PDF format.

All submittals over 10 pages must also be submitted electronically in PDF format.

Applicants must also provide one hard copy for review.

If a hard copy is not provided, TPA can print one for the applicant and charge the applicable printing fee listed in the current fee schedule.

If plans are 11" × 17" or smaller and under 10 pages, TPA will scan the documents into the electronic record system at no cost.

Email Required: An email address is required for all permit applications because TPA communicates review comments, approvals, and inspection coordination electronically.

What forms do I need?

Click a project type to expand the required forms list.

HOUSE — Are you building a new house?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
003 – Grading Plan (When required by the zoning ordinance.)
004 – Energy & Mechanical Calcs Forms
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)
008 – Erosion Control (Read & follow requirements on-site. No form to complete.)

ADDITION — Are you building an addition to an existing home?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)
016 – Addition Construction Detail (If you don’t have formal plans.)
005 – Energy Compliance Additions (If applicable.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

DECK — Are you building a deck?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)
015 – Deck Detail Form (Use if you don’t have formal plans.)

GARAGE — Are you building a detached garage?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)
013 – Detached Garage Construction Detail (If you don’t have formal plans.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

SHED — Are you building a pole shed?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)
012 – Post Frame Construction Detail (Use if you don’t have formal plans.)

GARAGE — Are you building an attached garage?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)
014 – Attached Garage Construction Detail (If you don’t have formal plans.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

AG SHED — Are you building an agricultural shed?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

007 – Ag Self-Waiver (Includes the required Zoning Certificate.)

IN-FLOOR HEAT — Did you forget the in-floor heat?

Commonly required when adding in-floor heat:

004 – Energy & Mechanical Calcs Forms (If applicable.)
009 – Geo-Thermal Energy Calcs (If applicable.)

If you’re unsure what applies, contact TPA before submitting.

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

GEO-THERMAL — Are you installing a geo-thermal system?

Commonly required for geo-thermal systems:

009 – Geo-Thermal Energy Calcs
004 – Energy & Mechanical Calcs Forms (If applicable.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

PORCH — Are you building a 3-season or covered porch?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

LOWER-LEVEL — Are you finishing off the lower level?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)
004 – Energy & Mechanical Calcs Forms (If adding mechanicals.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

REMODELING — Are you remodeling an existing home?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)
004 – Energy & Mechanical Calcs Forms (If applicable.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

POOL — Are you installing a swimming pool?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)

You may also need additional site/utility information depending on location.

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

RETAINING WALL — Are you building a retaining wall?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)

Some retaining walls require engineered plans depending on height/location.

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

SOLAR — Are you installing ground mounted solar panels?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

SOLAR — Are you installing roof mounted solar panels?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
006 – Self-Waiver (Not required when applying via online portal; or if homeowner signs permit application.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

MOBILE HOME — Are you installing a mobile/manufactured home?

You’ll need to download and complete the following forms:

001 – Building Permit Form (Not required when applying via online portal.)
002 – Zoning Certificate (Not required when applying via online portal.)
010 – Manufactured Homes – Professional Install (If applicable.)
011 – Manufactured Homes – Homeowner Install (If applicable.)
006 – Self-Waiver (If homeowner is doing work.)

Download these in the Building Permit Forms section below.

Condition letters are available on the CMS website. View all condition letters.

PAYMENT (Look for bank icon upper right)

Online payment available: use the iWorQ portal and look for the bank icon in the upper right.

APPLICATION STATUS

Check the status of an existing permit in the iWorQ portal.

Open Application Status

BUILDING PERMIT FORMS

Fillable PDFs — download and open in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) for the best experience. We're actively working to update any non-fillable forms to make them easier to complete digitally.

001 – Building Permit Form 002 – Zoning Certificate 003 – Grading Plan 004 – Energy & Mechanical Calcs Forms 005 – Energy Compliance Additions 006 – Self-Waiver 008 – Erosion Control 009 – Geo-Thermal Energy Calcs 010 – Manufactured Homes – Professional Install 011 – Manufactured Homes – Homeowner Install 012 – Post Frame Construction Detail 013 – Detached Garage Construction Detail 014 – Attached Garage Construction Detail 015 – Deck Detail Form 016 – Addition Construction Detail

BUILDING INSPECTOR CONDITION LETTERS

All Building Inspector Condition Letters are available on the CMS website:

View All Condition Letters on CMS Website

SEPTIC PERMITS

Septic permits are coordinated through CMS (Rochester) for WTPA member townships. Required for new dwellings and for projects that add bedrooms or increase sewage flow.

Septic permit basics

Any new dwelling will likely require a septic permit.
Bedroom additions and many remodels may require a septic compliance inspection and/or system upgrade.
Property transfers may require a compliance inspection depending on local ordinances and lender requirements.
Septic designs may be prepared by a licensed septic system designer.
Submit septic permit applications and supporting documents to CMS (Rochester).
CMS issues septic permits and coordinates required inspections for WTPA-administered townships.

Start an online permit

Coming soon: Fillable as-built / inspection form for installers and inspectors.

Upload documents to an existing permit

Septic Abandon Form

Coming soon: Abandonment reporting form and instructions.

MPCA Bedroom Guidance

Use the MPCA bedroom definition when determining system sizing and when evaluating remodels that may add a bedroom.

Septic Compliance Checklist

OTHER FORMS & APPLICATIONS

Use the zoning pages below for online application routing, submittal guidance, and project-specific information for land use and site activity requests.

Zoning Overview Zoning / Land Use Change Site / Land Activity Variances