- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Community Assets & Development
- Building Permits
- Homeowner Applications
Homeowner Applications
Notice - Due to the high volume of permit applications, your permit request may take up to 15 days to be issued.
Please beware, a permit is not issued until it has been paid for and reviewed.
The City of New Brighton is no longer accepting paper applications. Please select your permit application type from the following options and fill out the online form.
Please email the Building Department or call 651-638-2050 on weekdays during business hours if you have any questions.
Resources:
- Code Questions: email Jeremy Wells
- Permit Questions: email the Building Department
- Inspection
- Project Information
Apply for Permits
Have Questions?
- Code Questions: email Jeremy Wells
- Permit Questions: email the Building Department
- Electrical: If you have electrical questions, or to schedule, visit Tokle Inspections (preferred) or call 763-754-2983 between 7 am and 8:30 am
The City of New Brighton is committed to being proactive in facilitating the use of alternative energy sources like solar panels. The solar industry is booming in Minnesota, and it is positioned for continued growth. Solar energy can be used to generate electricity to provide hot water and to heat, cool, and light buildings and homes. Solar power is generated with the use of photovoltaic panels. "Photovoltaic" means that sunlight is used to generate electricity Solar installations range in size and can be roof-mounted or ground-mounted. New Brighton participates in SolSmart, a national program that provides free technical assistance to help cities make it faster, easier, and more affordable to go solar.
How to Apply
Please submit an online permit along with the required plan documentation by selecting one of the following permits:
These permits are required for both roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar systems. Small solar photovoltaic (PV) projects 10 kilowatts or less have a turnaround time of less than 3 business days.
The Solar Checklist page and Solar Inspection page describe the process and necessary information for obtaining a solar permit and solar inspection, but they are not required for a solar permit. Please reference them if you have any questions about plan documentation or inspections.
Have Questions?
- Code Questions: email Jeremy Wells
- Permit Questions: email the Building Department
- Electrical: If you have electrical questions, or to schedule, visit Tokle Inspections (preferred) or call 763-754-2983 between 7 am and 8:30 am
Solar Zoning in New Brighton
Information coming soon
Additional Resources
- Understanding your solar resource: The Minnesota Solar Suitability App can help you understand the solar potential of a particular site in the state. This tool displays the solar potential for every spot in the state of Minnesota.
- Community Solar Gardens: Community solar gardens are centrally-located solar PV systems that provide electricity to participating subscribers. Learn more about community solar gardens. Find out more about solar garden operators from Xcel Energy's website under "Step 2: Contacting a Solar Garden Operator."
- Financing: Residents interested in installing solar PV on their property can access financing through the Center for Energy and Environment. See more information. Businesses can finance solar energy projects through a tool called "Property-Assessed Clean Energy", or PACE, in which energy-saving measures are paid for through property taxes. This can work well even for businesses that rent their space. Find more information on PACE financing.
For more information on additional solar-related topics, check out these resources:
Understanding the City of New Brighton's 2040 Comprehensive Plan Solar Objective & Policies
Objective: LU 10.0 - To be proactive in facilitating the use of alternative energy sources and ensure reasonable access to direct sunlight for areas that will undergo redevelopment over the next 20 years.
Policies:
- LU 10.1 Protect existing solar collectors from shading by development and vegetation on adjoining properties.
- LU 10.2 Consider solar access in the formulation of plans for street landscaping and private planting plans.
- LU 10.3 Encourage development adjacent to existing residential areas which would not obstruct sunlight on the south side of structures between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm on a clear winter solstice day (December 21).
- LU 10.4 Encourage the use of solar energy in future housing developments through such programs as the "Energy House."
- LU 10.5 Consider variances to ordinance regulations, consistent with state statute, which will create opportunities for solar access employment.
- LU 10.6 Encourage and support educational programs and research that focuses on alternative or renewable energy systems and sources.
- LU 10.7 Work with Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTS) on potential projects and future programs.
- LU 10.8 Work towards recognition for Best Practices within the Green Step Cities Program for Renewable Energy.
- LU 10.9 Explore opportunities/programs for commercial/industrial property owners to take advantage of robust solar development potential of large rooftop areas.