Administrative overview · FIPS 27105
Nobles County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Nobles County Environmental Services / Planning and Zoning
For a project in or near Nobles County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
(507) 295-5322
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Nobles County Government Center, 315 10th Street, Worthington, MN 56187
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Review expectation
A conforming land-use permit must be issued by the Planning and Zoning Administrator within 60 days under the ordinance. Conditional-use, variance, amendment, or environmental-review matters follow separate hearing/review timelines.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Nobles County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Nobles County Environmental Services / Planning and Zoning is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
No verified online portal was located in the reviewed public materials. Contact (507) 295-5322 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.
How long might review take?
A conforming land-use permit must be issued by the Planning and Zoning Administrator within 60 days under the ordinance. Conditional-use, variance, amendment, or environmental-review matters follow separate hearing/review timelines.
How are inspections scheduled?
Contact Environmental Services at (507) 295-5322 or Planning and Zoning Administrator Kathy Henderschiedt at khenderschiedt@co.nobles.mn.us for land-use and septic inspection coordination. Permit holders must allow county access for inspections; a new dwelling or addition requires a septic permit before construction, and separate electrical inspection arrangements may be required through the State Board of Electricity.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Nobles County Land Use Ordinance for unincorporated areas; Minnesota State Accessibility Code, Minnesota Rules Chapter 1341, administered under Chapter 1305, with review and inspection billed on a time-and-material basis. No separately published 2026 countywide building-code edition was found; electrical and other state or local permits may be required separately. The ordinance exempts land alteration permits for excavation necessary and in conjunction with building construction, repair/maintenance/construction/reconstruction of existing roads, and agricultural best-management practices directed by NRCS or SWCD. Land alteration permits generally apply above 50 cubic yards in shoreland districts and above 500 cubic yards elsewhere. Site-plan review excludes agricultural developments in A-1 and single-family detached dwellings in R-1. Election signs up to 25 square feet and 10 feet high are exempt from the sign restrictions described in the ordinance.