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Minnesota State Building Code

DLI adopts new building codes every six years. All code amendments are developed in partnership with public stakeholders.

Codes must include cost-effective methods of ensuring building safety and energy efficiency.

Download or view the 2015 Minnesota state building codes.

Helpful information

(PDF files)

• Makeup and use 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
• Rules tools packet:
  • 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 (PDF files)

• 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)
• Automatic garage door opening systems (325F.82-325F.83)
  • 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

Archived Minnesota Building Code Documents

These documents are for reference purposes only. These rules or codes are no longer in effect. They are only applied to structures built or altered during the timeframes when the rule or code was in effect.

• Chapter 1346 Adoption of the 2000 International Mechanical/Fuel Gas Codes
• 2007 Minnesota State Building Code (350 pages, 1.8 MB)
• 2003 Minnesota State Building Code
• Chapter 1370 Storm Shelters (Manufactured Home Parks)
• Energy Code Rules (transferred from the Department of Commerce)
  • Minnesota Rule 7670 (repealed)
  • Minnesota Rule 7672 (repealed)
  • Minnesota Rule 7674 (repealed)
  • Minnesota Rule 7676 (repealed)
  • Minnesota Rule 7678 (repealed)
• Unofficial Chapter 326B Construction Codes and Licensing Statutes for reference in 2011
• 2009 International Code Adoptions

Related Documents

• History of the Minnesota State Building Code
• 2007 Minnesota State Fire Code
• Minnesota Statutes Chapter 299F
• Municipal building official directory
• Map - Counties that have adopted the building code
• 13R vs. 13D fire sprinkler systems in residential construction under the 2007 MSBC

Purchase code books and related documents at Minnesota's Bookstore.

The Minnesota State Building Code is the minimum construction standard throughout all of Minnesota including all cities, townships and counties. Although it is not enforceable by municipalities unless it is adopted by local ordinance, this law creates a level playing field for the construction industry by establishing the Minnesota State Building Code as the standard for the construction of all buildings in the state. Following are excerpts of the law contained in 326B.121, subdivisions 1 and 2.

• Application (1): The state building code is the standard that applies statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the code. The State Building Code supersedes the building code of any municipality. The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural buildings except with respect to state inspections
  
  
• Municipal enforcement (2): (a) If, as of January 1, 2008, a municipality has in effect an ordinance adopting the State Building Code, that municipality must continue to administer and enforce the State Building Code within its jurisdiction. The municipality is prohibited from repealing its ordinance adopting the State Building Code. This paragraph does not apply to municipalities with a population of less than 2,500 according to the last federal census that are located outside of a metropolitan county, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 4. (b) If a municipality is not required by paragraph (a) to administer and enforce the State Building Code, the municipality may choose to administer and enforce the State Building Code within its jurisdiction by adopting the code by ordinance [appointing a certified building official, and establishing a fee schedule]

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