Minn. R. 1300 § 1300.0210
INSPECTIONS.
Operative Text
Subpart 1. General. Construction or work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the building official and the construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. Approval as a result of an inspection is not approval of a violation of the code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of the code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction are not valid. It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. Neither the building official nor the jurisdiction is liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection. Subp. 2. Preliminary inspection. Before issuing a permit, the building official may examine, or cause to be examined, buildings, structures, and sites for which an application has been filed. Subp. 3. Inspection record card. The building official shall identify which inspections are required for the work requiring a permit. Work requiring a permit shall not be commenced until the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder has posted or otherwise made available an inspection record card that allows the building official to conveniently make all required entries regarding inspection of the work. This card shall be maintained and made available by the permit holder until final approval has been granted by the building official. Subp. 4. Inspection requests. The building official shall provide the applicant with policies, procedures, and a timeline for requesting inspections. The person doing the work authorized by a permit shall notify the building official that the work is ready for inspection. The person requesting an inspection required by the code shall provide access to and means for inspection of the work. Subp. 5. Approval required. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the building official. The building official, upon notification, shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate the portion of the construction that is satisfactory as completed or notify the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder of any failures to comply with the code. Any portion that does not comply shall be corrected and the portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the building official. Subp. 6. Required inspections. The building official, upon notification, shall make the inspections in this part. In addition to the inspections identified in this subpart, see applicable rule chapters in part 1300.0050 for specific inspection and testing requirements. A. Footing inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. Materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except that concrete need not be on the job if the concrete is ready mixed according to approved nationally recognized standards. B. Foundations: (1) Foundation inspections for poured walls shall be made after all forms are in place with any required reinforcing steel and bracing in place, and prior to pouring concrete. (2) All foundation walls shall be inspected prior to backfill for specific code requirements. (3) The foundation inspection shall include excavations for thickened slabs intended for the support of bearing walls, partitions, structural supports, or equipment. C. Concrete slab and under-floor inspections shall be made after in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel and building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories, and other ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the subfloor. D. Rough-in inspections of plumbing, mechanical, gas, sprinklers, alarms, and electrical systems shall be made before covering or concealment, before fixtures or appliances are set or installed, and before framing inspection. E. Inspection of framing and masonry construction shall be made after the roof, masonry, framing, firestopping, draftstopping, and bracing are in place and after the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough inspections are approved. F. Energy efficiency inspections shall be made to determine compliance with Minnesota Energy Code requirements. G. Lath and gypsum board inspections shall be made after lathing and gypsum board, interior and exterior, are in place, but before any plastering is applied or before gypsum board joints and fasteners are taped and finished. Exception: Gypsum board that is not part of a fire-resistive assembly or a shear assembly. H. Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated or smoke-resistance-rated assemblies shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved. I. Installation of manufactured homes (mobile homes) shall be made after the installation of the support systems and all utility service connections are in place, but before any covering material or skirting is in place. Evaluation of an approved anchoring system is part of the installation inspection. J. Fireplaces must be inspected for compliance with applicable requirements of the code and the manufacturer's installation instructions. K. A final inspection shall be made for all work for which a permit is issued. L. Special inspections shall be as required by the code. M. In addition to the inspections in items A to K, the building official is authorized to make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the code and other laws that are enforced by the Department of Building Safety. Subp. 7. Inspection agencies. The building official is authorized to accept inspection reports by approved agencies.
Minnesota Rule 1300, Section 1300.0210 establishes a comprehensive inspection framework for permitted construction work throughout the state. Under this rule, covered work must remain visible and accessible at each stage until a building official approves it, and no work may proceed past a given phase without that approval. Importantly, an inspection approval does not excuse or validate any underlying code violation, and no inspection can grant authority to override the building code or local ordinances.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Minn. R. 1300 § 1300.0210, property owners and managers overseeing permitted construction are responsible for ensuring that work remains accessible for inspection at every required stage—from footings and foundations through framing, rough-ins, and final inspection. Compliant operators post or make available the inspection record card before work begins and keep it available until the building official grants final approval. Operators also bear the cost of uncovering any work that must be exposed for inspection, as neither the building official nor the jurisdiction assumes that expense.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minn. R. 1300 § 1300.0210 gives tenants a basis for understanding that permitted construction or renovation work in or around their homes is legally required to pass a series of staged inspections before proceeding. If work appears to have been covered or completed without the required approvals—such as concealed plumbing, framing, or fire-resistance assemblies—this rule provides a framework for raising concerns with the local building official or code enforcement office. Tenants who believe inspections were skipped or improperly conducted may contact their local jurisdiction's building department or a tenant-rights organization to understand what documentation and remedies may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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