Porches and Sunrooms
Residential porches, 3-season porches, and sunrooms require a permit. This type of residential project requires you to submit a detailed plan which allows us to perform a plan review.
Plans do not need to be professionally drawn. However, plans should be drawn to scale, neat, legible, and include all the information requested. Plans should provide enough detail that would allow a plan reviewer to build the project themselves.
MN Energy Code R202 definitions
- Additions are extensions or increases in the conditioned space floor area or height of a building or structure.
- Conditioned spaces are areas or rooms within a building being heated or cooled, containing uninsulated ducts, or with a fixed opening directly into an adjacent conditioned space.
- Fenestration refers to skylights, roof windows, vertical windows (fixed or moveable), opaque doors, glazed doors, glazed block and combination or opaque/glazed doors. Includes products with glass and non-glass glazing material.
- Habitable space is a space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.
- Sunrooms are one-story structures attached to a dwelling with a glazing area in excess of 40% of the gross area of the structure’s exterior walls and roof.
Porches
Porches are considered non-habitable and unconditioned and must be separated from the existing building by a door or window. Therefore, the MN energy code does not apply. This includes porches which remain open to the elements with or without screening.
Documents Required
- Plans drawn to scale shall include:
- Foundation plan
- Floor plan(s)
- Cross section(s)
- Elevation plans (all sides)
- Lookout or walkout elevations (if applicable)
- Ledger attachment
- Site plan or Survey
- Must show lot dimensions, property lines, distances from property lines for existing and proposed structures on the property.
- You will need to upload the site plan or survey with your plans.
- We may have a survey on file for your home, email us at permits@brooklynpark.org to inquire.
- Any new structure must meet the land use and setback requirements of the zoning code. Zoning questions should be directed to the Planning Division at planning@brooklynpark.org.
Revising a plan
If you build your porch in any way that does not follow the city approved plan after the permit has been issued, revised plans shall be electronically submitted to the city for review. Your project cannot proceed until the revised plans have been approved.
3-Season Porches
3-season porches are considered non-habitable and unconditioned and must be separated from the existing building by a door or window. Therefore, the MN energy code does not apply. This includes 3- season porches which remain open to the elements with or without screening.
Note: If you plan to turn your 3-Season Porch into a conditioned or habitable space at any time, consult the building department.
Sunrooms
Sunrooms must have 40% or more glazing and comply with MN R301.2.1.1.1. However, may be uninhabitable and unconditioned, or habitable and conditioned spaces.
The below information is what we require to be included on your plans.
Note: failing to submit all the required application materials will result in a rejected application.
Documents Required
- Plans drawn to scale shall include:
- Foundation plan
- Floor plan(s)
- Cross section(s)
- Elevation plans (all sides)
- Lookout or walkout elevations (if applicable)
- Ledger attachment
- Site plan or Survey
- Must show lot dimensions, property lines, distances from property lines for existing and proposed structures on the property.
- You will need to upload the site plan or survey with your plans.
- We may have a survey on file for your home, email us at permits@brooklynpark.org to inquire.
- Any new structure must meet the land use and setback requirements of the zoning code. Zoning questions should be directed to the Planning Division at planning@brooklynpark.org.
- Provide details on how you intend to heat the Sunroom (Heat load calculations may be required).
Revising a plan
If you build your 3-season porch in any way that does not follow the city approved plan after the permit has been issued, revised plans shall be electronically submitted to the city for review. Your project cannot proceed until the revised plans have been approved
Documents Required
- Plans drawn to scale shall include:
- Foundation plan
- Floor plan(s)
- Cross section(s)
- Elevation plans (all sides)
- Lookout or walkout elevations (if applicable)
- Ledger attachment
- Site plan or Survey
- Must show lot dimensions, property lines, distances from property lines for existing and proposed structures on the property.
- You will need to upload the site plan or survey with your plans.
- We may have a survey on file for your home, email us at permits@brooklynpark.org to inquire.
- Any new structure must meet the land use and setback requirements of the zoning code. Zoning questions should be directed to the Planning Division at planning@brooklynpark.org.
Submitting documents
The required plans and documents listed above shall be submitted through our Electronic Permit Application.
Instructions can be found here.
Note: Construction work cannot begin until the permit has been approved, paid, and issued.
Plan Review
A plan review is conducted to ensure the plans submitted follow applicable codes. This insures we are keeping people safe where they live, work and play, and keeping buildings and property safe, durable, accessible, and energy efficient.
Review and approval will depend on the complexity of the project and completeness of the submittal documents.
Please allow five to seven business days for plan review, during the summer construction season wait times will be longer.
Once the plan review is completed and application is approved, you will be emailed letting you know the application is ready for payment.
Fees
Fees are based on total square footage of the addition to be built. Click Here to see the city’s current fee schedules >
Required inspections
- Footings – Shall be inspected after forms and reinforcing bars (if applicable) are in place but prior to the placement of concrete.
- Foundations (if applicable)
- 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 placement of concrete.
- Sheathing – Shall be inspected prior to installing weather resistive barrier. This inspection can be combined with the framing inspection if you notify the inspector.
- Framing – Shall be inspected after rough-in inspections for plumbing, mechanical, electrical and fireplace (if applicable) have been approved.
- Insulation (if applicable) – Shall be inspected once insulation and vapor barrier are installed, but prior to covering.
- Building Final – Shall be inspected after final inspections for plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and fireplace (if applicable) have been approved.
Apply for a permit
Start your application here.
Notes and additional resources
- Separate permits for plumbing, heating, installation of a fireplace, and electrical work are required.
- Electrical permits are administered by the State of Minnesota Board of Electricity. Visit the electrical inspector’s webpage Sloth Inspections for more information.
- Rough-in inspections of plumbing, mechanical, gas, and electrical systems shall occur before covering or concealment, and before framing inspection.
- If you build your porch or sunroom in any way that does not follow the city approved plan after the permit has been issued, revised plans shall be electronically submitted to the city for review. Your project cannot proceed until the revised plans have been approved.