Duluth Minnesota Fill, Grade, Shoreland, and Retaining Wall Permit Guide

Duluth landscaping usually does not need a permit, but fill, grading, accessory buildings, decks, shoreland work, and retaining walls can trigger permit review.

Permit takeaway

Duluth says fill and grade permits are needed when fill exceeds 10 cubic yards or when filling is more than two feet deep at any point on the property.

Zoning and placement

Fill cannot obstruct drainage courses, and drainage across property lines cannot exceed what existed before the project.

Building and trade review

Retaining walls over four feet in height measured from the bottom of footing to the top of wall need a building permit, as do retaining walls of any height that support surcharge loads such as driveways or buildings.

Call before applying when

Call before starting if grading adds more than a large dump-truck load of fill, raises grade more than two feet, affects drainage, adds a retaining wall over four feet, or places a wall near a driveway or building.

Documents to prepare

• Site plan
• Fill quantity
• Fill depth
• Drainage information
• Retaining wall height and load information

Inspection planning

• Contact Gopher One before digging
• Confirm whether fill and grade permit is required
• Submit retaining wall permit when required
• Keep drainage unobstructed
• Schedule inspections before covering work

Official sources

• Duluth Interior Remodels and Small Projects
• Duluth Permit Types
• Duluth ePlace

This guide is a planning summary. Always verify the current requirements with the local office before starting work.