City of Eden Prairie
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Building Inspections and Permits
Building Permit PDF Handouts Below
Fire Prevention Policies
Mobile Food Vendor Requirements
Minnesota State Fire Code Requirements
319.2 – Mobile food preparation vehicle permit is required
319.4.1 – Cooking equipment shall be protected by automatic fire extinguishing systems
319.4.2 – Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided
319.5 – Gas cooking appliances shall be secured and connected using approved connectors
319.6 – Maximum aggregate storage of cooking oil containers is 120 gallons
319.8.1 – Maximum aggregate LP capacity is 200 pounds
319.8.2 – LP containers shall be securely mounted to prevent movement
319.8.5 – A listed LP-gas alarm shall be installed within the vehicle
319.10.1 – Kitchen exhaust systems shall be installed, cleaned, and maintained in accordance with MNFC 607.3
319.10.2 – Fire protection equipment shall be maintained in accordance with MNFC 901.6
319.10.3 – LP-gas containers shall be inspected and tagged annually by a US DOT registered company and CNG containers shall be inspected every 3 years
503.4 – Fire apparatus access roads shall be kept clear
604.4 – Multiplug adapters that don’t comply with NFPA 70 are prohibited
604.5 – Extension cords shall not be used as permanent wiring and shall only be used with portable appliances
906.4 – Class K extinguishers are required
NFPA 58 – Liquified Petroleum Gas Code
Incorporated by reference in MNFC Chapter 61
11.8.3.1 – LP containers shall not be installed on the roof, in front of the front bumper, or behind the rear bumper
11.8.3.2 – No part of a container or its appurtenances shall protrude beyond the sides or top of the vehicle
16.3.2 – Containers shall be installed either outside the vehicle or in a recess or vented cabinet
16.3.2.1 – Cabinets shall be vapor tight to the inside of the vehicle but accessible and vented to the outside
16.3.5 – Containers shall be installed so they don’t become loose, slip or rotate
16.5.1 – The pressure relief valve shall be directed away from the vehicle and serving windows
16.7.5 – Gas appliances operated in transit shall have an automatic shutoff valve in the event the pilot light is extinguished
Minnesota State Statute
326B.37 Subdivision. 11e – Transitory projects including, but not limited to, concessions and mobile food vendors must have an electrical inspection performed prior to the first operation of the year and a current inspection sticker must be present.
UL 72 Requirements
Policy #: 2.2.04
First Issued: April 1, 2010
Revision: September 2020
Procedure
Section 1 – Required Buildings
- All buildings in the City of Eden Prairie, built on or after January 1, 1986, that are equipped with a fire alarm system must have a current UL 72 Certificate.
Section 2 – Additional Requirements / Amendments
- Systems installed before 1986 that are not UL 72 Certified can remain in such state until fire alarm system remodeling takes place.
- Replacement of any existing connected fire alarm device constitutes remodeling.
Section 3 – Appeals
- Appeals or request to amend this Statement of Policy should be made directly to the Department of Fire Prevention. At any time, a Fire Code Official, as appointed by the Fire Chief, hold the right to amend or approve variances to this policy.
- The Fire Department can be contacted at 952-949-8556 or FireCode@edenprairiemn.gov.
Barbecue Grills
Policy #: 2.2.05
First Issued: April 1, 2010
Revision: December 2022
Procedure
Section 1 – Applicable Codes
- Minnesota State Fire Code, Appendix “O”
Section 2 – Appendix Amended by ordinance
Section 1.1 is hereby amended to include the following:
1.1 Open Flame Prohibited. In any structure containing three or more dwelling units, with at least two vertically stacked, no person shall kindle, maintain, or cause any fire or open flame on any balcony above ground level, or on any ground floor patio within 15 feet (4572 mm) of the structure.
Additional requirements:
1. Listed Electric Barbecue Grills may be allowed if approved by the Fire Chief and the balconies to which they will be used are fully protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system.
2. Listed Gas-Fired Barbecue Grills may be allowed if approved by the Fire Chief and the balconies to which they will be used are fully protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system, have automatic timers to shut off gas, have an e-stop, are mounted, can’t be moved and have a maintenance/cleaning agreement with the facility.
Section 3 – Definitions
- Vertically Stacked Units – This includes all apartment buildings. Town homes are only included if there are units independent of each other that are located with one on top of another. Row town homes and “quads” are not included.
- Listed Electric Barbecue Grill – These are grills that cook with an electrically powered heating element that are designed to be hard wired into the building electrical system. The grill must be listed by a recognized national testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.).
- Listed gas-fired barbecue grill – These are grills that operate using natural gas as a fuel. They are designed to be installed permanently and are connected to the building natural gas system. The grill must be listed by a recognized national testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) or American Gas Association (AGA).
Section 4 – Enforcement
- Violation of this policy is strictly enforced by orders to remove by the fire code official and is a misdemeanor offense.
Section 5 – Appeals
- Appeals or request to amend this Statement of Policy should be made directly to the Department of Fire Prevention. At any time, a Fire Code Official, as appointed by the Fire Chief, holds the right to amend or approve variances to this policy.
- The Department of Fire Prevention can be contacted by calling 952-949-8556 or via email at FireCode@edenprairiemn.gov.
Egress Control Devices
Policy #: 2.2.07
First Issued: April 2010
Revision: December 2022
Procedure
Devices installed on exit doors within the City of Eden Prairie to control ingress and egress must meet the following requirements.
Section 1 – Building Code Requirements
The State Building Code allows the Building Official to determine the conditions under which egress control devices are allowed to be installed. Within the City of Eden Prairie, the following rules apply:
- Free egress must be allowed from all exit doors. No exit door can require any action other than operating a single release mechanism (door knob, panic bar, etc.) except as allowed in Section 3.
- Devices to control ingress or access are allowed (see below).
- Exit doors can be designated “For Emergency Use Only”. Devices can be installed that sound an alarm when activated. Devices such as Detex™ type door alarms can be used on any door not requiring panic hardware.
Section 2 – Egress (Exit) Control Devices – Double Key Deadbolts
The State Building Code allows the Building Official to allow doors equipped with a key operated lock on the egress side (double key deadbolts) as follows:
A. Group A occupancies with occupant loads of ≥ 300, Groups B, F, M, and S and churches on the main exit door(s) provided
- The locking device is readily distinguished as locked.
- A readily visible sign is posted on the door stating “THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN BUILDING IS OCCUPIED”. The letters must be minimum 1” high on a contrasting background.
Approval to use this provision must be in writing from the Building Official and is revocable for cause.
Section 3 – Access Control Devices
1. Access control devices such as card access or manually controlled access are allowed. These devices must function to always allow free egress including the following conditions:
- Activation of the fire sprinkler system.
- Activation of the fire alarm system.
- Loss of power.
2.The devices must also release to allow egress without any special actions. This release can be by motion detector, panic bar switch or other method approved by the City.
3. It is acceptable to provide an alarm or other device to indicate that the door is being used. A method of silencing any alarm or logging people leaving (such as a card swipe device) is permitted but this cannot prevent free egress.
4. Non-latching magnetic control devices are not allowed in place of doors that require a latching device i.e. stairwells, doors protecting a means of egress, etc.
If you have any questions, please contact the Eden Prairie Fire Department at 952-949-6200.
Emergency Responder Radio Coverage
Policy #: 2.2.13
First Issued: April 2010
Revision: February 2021
Purpose: Define emergency responder radio coverage requirements for new and existing buildings in the city of Eden Prairie.
Section 1 – Applicable Codes/Required buildings
- Minnesota State Fire Code 2020, Appendix “P”
- All buildings at least 40 feet in height from lowest grade to the floor of the highest level
- All buildings with at least one level below grade
- All One or Two Story buildings of type I, or II construction over 100,000 Sq. ft. of floor area (except freestanding parking ramps)
Section 2 – Requirements
- At the time of building permit application, the property owner shall acknowledge receipt and the understanding of this policy and Appendix P of the Minnesota State Fire Code.
- Obtain an Emergency Responder Radio Coverage Permit through the Eden Prairie Building Department when acquiring building permits.
- Complete an entire Emergency Responder Radio Coverage building test, performed by a qualified company at the time the shell and 25% interior finishes are complete and before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Provide test results to City of Eden Prairie’s Fire Department -Department of Fire Prevention.
- If Emergency Responder Radio Coverage testing fails within a building, the installation of the bi-directional signal enhancement system shall be installed and operational within 180 days of the testing report by a qualified company.
- A permit with a plan is required for installation.
- After the bi-directional signal enhancement system is installed and operational, a re-test is required?
- A Certificate of Occupancy may be delayed in being issued at the discretion of the Building Official until the Emergency Responder Radio Coverage results in a pass.
Section 3 – Compliance Testing and Maintenance
- All tests requiring certification shall be conducted, documented and signed by qualified and competent personnel that includes: persons in possession of a current FCC license, or a current technician certification issued by the Associated Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) or the Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA), or a qualified radio engineer licensed as a registered professional engineer by the State of Minnesota.
- Testing personnel shall have testing equipment that is appropriate for the testing procedure, and that test equipment shall have been calibrated within six months prior to the testing. All test records shall be retained on the inspected premises by the building owner and a copy shall be submitted to the City of Eden Prairie’s Fire Department -Department of Fire Prevention
- The written test results shall confirm compliance with Appendix P of the Minnesota State Fire Code.
- The certification shall include documentation of the testing individual’s qualifications, the methods used to test compliance, test equipment used, and the last calibration date of the test equipment used.
- Five-year tests –The building owner shall arrange to have qualified and competent personnel perform a radio coverage test a minimum of once every 5 years to ensure that the radio system continues to meet the requirements of the original acceptance test.
- If at any time public safety personnel have radio communication problems in a building that has been tested and not required to have installation, or has already had an installation completed, the fire official may require a new test to be completed.
Section 4 – Appeals
- Appeals or request to amend this Statement of Policy should be made directly to the Department of Fire Prevention. At any time, a Fire Code Official, as appointed by the Fire Chief, holds the right to amend or approve variances to this policy.
- The Department of Fire Prevention can be contacted by calling 952-949-8556 or via email at FireCode@edenprairiemn.gov.
Valves and Sprinklers
Policy #: 2.2.23
First Issued: April 2010
Revision: September 2020
Procedure
The purpose of this policy is to establish a Standardization of valve arrangements for Automatic Sprinkler Systems reviewed by the City of Eden Prairie department of Fire Prevention.
Valve Arrangements
The following list contains the policies of the City of Eden Prairie Fire Prevention Bureau concerning fire sprinkler systems. The list is not all-inclusive. Unique situations can be reviewed on a case by case basis.
- The fire department connection (FDC) shall be provided at a location that is field verified by the AHJ.
- A valve is required on each side of the check valve in the riser room, regardless if a PIV is installed.
- Water meters for detector checks are not required
- Sprinkler systems installed in buildings 3 stories or more in height are required to have shut-off valves/drains, tampers and water-flow devices for each floor including the top floor unless otherwise approved by the Eden Prairie Fire Department.
Section 3 – Enforcement
- Enforcement of the Policy will begin in the plan review stage.
- All fire sprinkler design and modification projects are subject to a plan review.
- Systems installed after the installment of the policy, and are found delinquent may be subject to remediation. Including, but not limited to; removal and reinstallation.
Section 4 – Appeals
- Appeals or request to amend this Statement of Policy should be made directly to the Fire Prevention Bureau. At any time, a Fire Code Official, as appointed by the Fire Chief, holds the right to amend or approve variances to this policy.
- The Fire Prevention Bureau can be contacted at 952-949-8556 or FireCode@edenprairiemn.gov.
Fire Alarm Systems and Devices
Policy #: 2.2.24
First Issued: June 2016
Revision: September 2020
Procedure
Section 1 – Applicable Codes
- Minnesota State Fire Code
- NPFA 72
Section 2 – General Considerations
- All fire alarm systems shall be installed in accordance to the Minnesota State Fire Code and NPFA 72.
- Fire alarm systems in occupancies in which they are not required are not allowed.
- Exception: existing non-required and partial systems are allowed but cannot automatically dial the fire department for automatic dispatch.
- This includes residential fire alarm systems.
- Exception: existing non-required and partial systems are allowed but cannot automatically dial the fire department for automatic dispatch.
- Any fire alarm system in operation shall be brought to the most current code standard in any case where the building is remodeled or undergoes a change in occupancy.
- Addressable fire alarm systems shall be accompanied with addressable dialers.
- Exception: existing systems without addressable dialers can remain. However, any change to the fire alarm system redacts this exception.
- Occupancies that do not require fire sprinkler systems, but have installed other fire protection systems, such as (but not limited to) kitchen hood suppression, shall have installed a fire alarm system. Such system shall provide general evacuation notification to all occupants and send an alarm signal to a Central Station Monitoring Center for Fire Department dispatch.
Exception: alarm notification is not required in bathrooms as long as the alarm can be easily distinguishable in that space.
Section 3 – Dialing Devices
- Cellular dialing devices are allowed as a primary means of dialer communication.
- However, signal strength and connection verification must be provided to the fire department before installation can take place.
- Signal weakness or unreliability may result in the prohibition of the cellular dialer.
- Cellular (or any dialer) that reports connection issues on a regular basis may be ordered removed and replaced.
- Fire alarm systems may operate using sole path communications.
- However, as stated above, any signal weakness, unreliability, or loss of communication on a regular basis may result in the prohibition of the dialer in use or may require the addition of a secondary, separate means of communication.
Section 4 – Initiation Devices
- A smoke detector must be installed within 10 feet (when applicable) of the FACP.
- A manual pull station must be installed at the FACP.
Section 5 – Notification Devices
- All buildings/tenant spaces are required to have installed at least one horn/strobe when notification is not required by Code.
- Activation of the fire alarm system shall sound a general evacuation signal.
- Strobes shall remain active when the fire alarm system is “silenced” when applicable.
- Horn decibel ratings must never surpass 110 or 15 decibels greater than ambient; whichever is lowest.
Section 6 – Alarm Signals
- Alarm signal identification must be clear and accurate.
- Examples:
- Waterflow – Wet
- Waterflow – Dry
- Waterflow -Kitchen
- Fire Alarm – Smoke
- Fire Alarm -Heat
- Fire Alarm – Pull Station
- Do not include “Zone #” or other non-essential information.
Section 7 – Appeals
- Appeals or request to amend this Statement of Policy should be made directly to the Department of Fire Prevention. At any time, a Fire Code Official, as appointed by the Fire Chief, holds the right to amend or approve variances to this policy.
- Eden Prairie Fire can be contacted at 952-949-8556 or at FireCode@edenprairiemn.gov.
Dry Fire Sprinkler Systems and Components
Policy #: 2.2.26
First Issued: June 2020
Revision: December 2022
Procedure
Section 1 – Applicable Codes
- Minnesota State Fire Code 2020
- NFPA 13, 13R, 14
Section 2 – Requirements
- Remote Dry Sprinkler Valves are no longer allowed in Eden Prairie unless approved.
- Location of dry sprinkler valves shall be installed in the main sprinkler riser room.
- This dry valve location shall include all components including compressor, clapper, valves, switches, etc.
- The location of the dry valve may be changed as needed on a case by case basis as approved by the Fire Code Official.
- Schedule 7 pipe shall not be used in wet or dry systems.
Section 3 – Enforcement
- Enforcement of the Policy will begin in the plan review stage.
- All fire sprinkler design and modification projects are subject to a plan review.
- Systems installed after the installment of the policy, and are found delinquent may be subject to remediation. Including, but not limited to; removal and reinstallation.
Section 4 – Appeals
- Appeals or request to amend this Statement of Policy should be made directly to the Department of Fire Prevention. At any time, a Fire Code Official, as appointed by the Fire Chief, holds the right to amend or approve variances to this policy.
- The Eden Prairie Fire Department can be contacted at 952-949-8556 or FireCode@edenprairiemn.gov.
Other Resources
Building Inspections FAQs
Minnesota law requires residential builders, remodelers and roofers to be licensed to help protect homeowners.
You can verify if a contractor is licensed via the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
All work is subject to inspection.
When your permit is issued, you will receive a permit record card that lists the types of inspections you need for that project. It is the responsibility of the person who pulled the permit to call in for these inspections.
Unless it is natural gas work, nothing prohibits a homeowner who occupies and owns the property from doing their own work. However permits are still required.
Yes, building permits expire if there has been no work or inspections conducted for 180 days.
If the retaining wall is over 4 feet tall (from bottom of footing/retaining wall), a building permit and engineering are required.
The retaining wall may not encroach in the drainage of the property.
Contact the Engineering Division with questions related to drainage.
A building permit is only required when a shed exceeds 200 square feet.
Contact the Planning Division for additional requirements on setbacks.
Electrical inspections are conducted by the State of Minnesota.
Contact Keith Berard, the state inspector assigned to Eden Prairie, at 612-394-6048 for assistance.
Failure to obtain a permit is a violation of City ordinance and state law, so fines may be levied.
Also, building code includes provisions for the fees to be doubled if work starts prior to obtaining a permit.
Plans should be detailed and neat. They must be drawn to a usable scale, 1-quarter inch to 1 foot is a common scale. Plans should be dimensioned and include information on use of rooms, lumber sizes and spacing. Please contact the Building Inspections Division for more information pertaining a specific project.
Exempt work includes painting, wallpapering, flooring, kitchen cabinets and detached storage structures less than 200 square feet.
Contact the Building Inspections Division if you have any questions on whether or not you need a permit for the project you are planning.
- Building permits are required anytime you do work that is regulated by the Minnesota State Building Code. This includes any work to the permanent weather resistive surfaces of the dwelling such as the siding, windows and roof. Any structural alterations or repairs to those items require a permit. Dwelling additions, garages and decks require a permit. If you are unsure if your project needs a permit, please call our office 952-949-8342.
- Plumbing permits are required for the installation, alteration, repair or extension of any plumbing system or individual sewage disposal system. This includes the installation or replacement of a fixture, water heater, water softener, backflow preventer for lawn irrigation systems, and any other activity as required by the building official or plumbing inspector.
- Mechanical permits are required for the installation, alteration, repair or extension of any heating, ventilation or exhaust system, refrigeration unit, air conditioning unit, manufactured gas or wood fireplaces and stoves, manufactured chimney and venting systems, hot water or other mechanical equipment as required by the building official or mechanical inspector.
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