2026 recommendations adoption of the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council

Clearer rules for local building inspections

Minnesota municipalities can request state agreements to review plans, inspect buildings, and administer and enforce building rules. These agreements cover public buildings and state-licensed facilities within the municipality. For general agreements, the commissioner must find enough trained, qualified staff. The staffing review must count municipal employees, contracted staff, and staff committed through other lawful agreements. The commissioner must provide written staffing criteria and explain any staffing deficiencies in writing. Municipalities can fix deficiencies and request reconsideration in writing within 90 days of that explanation. The commissioner must review the material and issue a final decision within 30 days of the request. Municipalities can appeal that decision through a contested-case hearing. For listed projects, the commissioner must enter an agreement when a municipality requests services and has a designated building official. Listed projects include roof-covering replacements without added roof load; towers requiring special inspection; and single-level storage buildings up to 5,000 square feet. They also include exterior maintenance, including siding, window, and door replacement. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning unit replacements qualify when they add neither roof load nor ventilation capacity. Accessibility upgrades qualify without building additions or structural changes. Remodeling qualifies without changes to occupancy, structural systems, exit access or discharge patterns, or mechanical load. The commissioner can also designate other projects for these required agreements. The law provides no direct household payment or benefit.