The Commissioner of the MN Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) has upheld an October 2008 order that Wright County has been illegally issuing building permits in Corinna Township for the last year. The September 1, 2009 order makes Corinna Township the sole building inspector throughout all areas of the Township.

Applicants in shoreland areas of Corinna Township have been illegally required to obtain building permits, including payment of application fees, by Wright County since the fall of 2008. Wright County appealed the October 2008 order to the Commissioner of DOLI, who ultimately agreed with the state agency that Corinna Township has properly appointed its own building code official and that Wright County must stop issuing such permits.

Wright County has appealed the recent decision, but is currently abiding by the September 1order and is no longer issuing building permits or conducting inspections in Corinna Township. Corinna landowners, whether in shoreland or non-shoreland areas, now need a building permit only from the Township and can direct applications or questions to (320) 274-8049.

Corinna Township has previously attempted to become the sole shoreland zoning authority so that landowners do not need to go two places for their permits. A July 2008 resolution by the County Board denied the Township this authority.

Documents relating to the DOLI order and the ongoing efforts of the Township to obtain shoreland zoning authority can be found at www.corinnaplanning.info or by contacting Corinna Township at 320-274-8049.

The MN Departments of Natural Resources and Labor and Industry have provided written input to Corinna Township regarding its recent naming of a building code official for all of Corinna Township (including shoreland areas).

The letters are in relation to recent interpretations by a Wright County official that state law does not allow Corinna Township to enforce the building code in shoreland areas without Wright County approval. The responses of the DNR and Labor & Industry disagree with the County's interpretations.

Click here to view the DNR correspondence and here to view the Labor & Industry letter or click on "Wright County Communication" to the left.

Posted: September 2, 2008

Corinna Township's contracted building official (Loren Kohnen - West Metro Inspection Services, Inc.) has been officially recognized by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry as the building official for Corinna Township.

See the letter from the Department of Labor and Industry by clicking here or by clicking on "Wright County Communication" to the left.

Posted: August 15, 2008