Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 15 § 15.03
DESIGN BY ARCHITECT OR ENGINEER REQUIRED (Bloomington Buildings and Structures Code)
Operative Text
No building permit shall be issued for any construction unless the design therefor bears the stamp of an architect or engineer registered by the State of Minnesota in accordance with M.S. §§ 326.02 to 326.16, inclusive as they may be amended from time to time. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the preparation of plans and specifications for the erection, enlargement or alteration of any building or other structure by any person, for his or her, or his or her lessee’s exclusive occupancy or use, unless such occupancy or use involves the public health or safety or the health or safety of the employees of said person, or his or her lessee; nor shall they apply to the preparation of plans and specifications for any building, structure or work, which is not public as defined in M.S. § 326.03, as it may be amended from time to time, the total cost of which does not exceed $30,000; nor shall they apply to the preparation of plans and specifications for any single- or two-family dwelling, nor to any farm building or accessory thereto; nor to any detailed or shop plans required to be furnished by a contractor to a registered engineer or architect, nor to any standardized manufactured product, nor to any construction superintendents supervising the execution of work designed by an architect or engineer registered in accordance with M.S. § 326.03, as it may be amended from time to time. No person except an architect or engineer registered as provided in M.S. §§ 326.02 to 326.15, as they may be amended from time to time, shall prepare plans or specifications or other engineering or architectural work for any public improvement excepting any public work or improvement the total cost of which does not exceed $2,000. PUBLIC WORK or PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT shall mean work or improvement the cost of which is to be paid in whole or in part from public funds. (1958 Code, § 35.02) (Ord. 72-61, passed 11-20-1972)
Bloomington, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 15.03 requires that building permit applications for most construction projects include plans stamped by a Minnesota-registered architect or engineer. Several categories of projects are exempt from this requirement, including single- and two-family dwellings, farm buildings, private non-public structures costing $30,000 or less, and buildings intended solely for the owner's or lessee's exclusive use when public health and safety are not implicated. For public improvements or public works projects, only a registered architect or engineer may prepare plans or specifications unless the total project cost does not exceed $2,000.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Bloomington who plan construction projects covered by § 15.03 generally ensure that all required permit applications are accompanied by plans bearing the stamp of a Minnesota-registered architect or engineer before submission. Operators typically verify whether their specific project falls within one of the enumerated exemptions—such as the single- or two-family dwelling exemption or the private non-public structure cost threshold—before proceeding without licensed design professionals. Maintaining documentation that confirms a project's exempt status, or retaining a registered professional where required, is a standard part of compliant permit management under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Bloomington who live in or are considering occupying a building that has undergone construction or renovation may find § 15.03 relevant if they have concerns about whether proper permits and professionally stamped plans were obtained. This provision establishes a baseline design-credential requirement for most permitted construction, and tenants who suspect unpermitted or improperly designed work may be able to raise that concern with the City of Bloomington's building or inspections department. Tenant-rights organizations and housing counselors can help residents understand how this provision intersects with habitability standards and what general options exist for reporting potential violations.
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 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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