Ramps in Minnesota: permits and the 30-inch exemption

Minnesota's building rules contain a permit exemption that looks, at first glance, like it might cover a short ramp. Read closely, it does not, and that is the most useful thing to know before you start pricing lumber or aluminum.

This guide quotes the rule, adds what Minnesota's Human Rights Act says for renters, and looks at the job of keeping a ramp usable through a snowy winter. We ship ramp products to Minnesota but do not install here, so we also say how we can help you plan from a distance.

The permit rule and its exemptions

Minnesota Rules 1300.0120, subpart 1, says an owner who intends "to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure" must "first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit." Subpart 4 then lists work exempt from permits, and it opens with a caution: exemptions "do not authorize work to be done in any manner in violation of the code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction."

Two items on that list come close to a ramp, and both carry the same limit. Item A(6) exempts "sidewalks and driveways that are not part of an accessible route." Item A(7) exempts "decks and platforms not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade and not attached to a structure with frost footings and which is not part of an accessible route."

A ramp is, almost by definition, a way in for someone who cannot use the steps. Ramps are not named on the exempt list, and the two nearest exemptions both stop at an accessible route. Our reading is that a ramp is not exempt, but the person who decides is your local building official. Ask before any materials arrive. We cannot tell you whether your ramp needs a permit, and this is not legal advice.

If you rent

The Minnesota Human Rights Act addresses physical changes for a tenant with a disability. Under Minn. Stat. 363A.10, subdivision 1, discrimination includes "a refusal to permit, at the expense of the disabled person, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by the disabled person if modifications may be necessary to afford the disabled person full enjoyment of the premises." The statute adds that a landlord "may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, excluding reasonable wear and tear." Put the request in writing and keep a copy.

Keeping a ramp clear of snow

NOAA's Minnesota climate summary reports 30 to 70 inches of snow a year over most of the state, nearly 90 inches along Lake Superior, and says snowstorms are a normal part of winter and early spring. Warm-season rain has grown heavier too: since 2000, "the number of very heavy rains (6 inches or more in a day) has been 2 to 3 times higher than in the 20th century." A ramp that works in October has to be cleared all winter and has to shed a downpour in summer. When you plan one, think about:

• where you will push the snow once the ramp is shoveled,
• whether a roof edge drips onto the ramp surface and refreezes,
• where water runs at the bottom of the slope after a heavy rain,
• and whether a shorter route, such as a side door with a single step, would mean less to clear.

Products that ship ready to place

• For a single raised threshold, the Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp covers rises up to 4 inches, has a 36-inch usable width and an 850 lb weight capacity, and needs no tools to assemble (Harmar). It is a portable product rather than a built structure.
• When the storm door and the entry door are the struggle, the Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener opens a door up to 120 degrees and runs on a low voltage 24-volt wiring kit, according to its product page.
• The Open Sesame Large Wireless Wall Push Pad (FL) has a thick metal push plate bearing the accessibility logo and needs no wiring back to the operator.
• The Open Sesame Proximity Sensor Tag Set opens the door for a tag at 3, 6 or 9 feet, and one reader covers both sides of the wall.

Help in Minnesota

The state's assistive technology program, STAR, is part of the Minnesota Department of Administration and is federally funded. Its services include device demonstrations, loans, reuse and exchange (AT3 Center), useful if you are weighing other equipment for the same entry, like a door opener.

Shipping and installation

We ship to your state. Installation isn't available here yet; email us and we'll help you find a local installer. Faith Mobility ships to the lower 48 states and DC. Shipping is free on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), we cover the sales tax on every order, and most products are processed in 2-5 business days, though some brands differ. The ramp quote can still help you size the job, and our Minnesota shipping page has the details.

Questions about ramps in Minnesota

Do I need a permit for a home ramp in Minnesota?

Probably, though your building official decides. Minn. R. 1300.0120 requires a permit to construct or alter a structure, and ramps are not on the exempt list in subpart 4. The nearest exemptions, for low decks and for sidewalks, both exclude anything that is "part of an accessible route."

Does the 30-inch deck exemption cover a ramp?

It seems not. Item A(7) exempts "decks and platforms not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade" only if they are not attached to a structure with frost footings and are not "part of an accessible route." A ramp serving a wheelchair user may well be one, so ask your building official before relying on it.

Can my Minnesota landlord refuse a ramp?

Minn. Stat. 363A.10 says discrimination includes refusing to permit, "at the expense of the disabled person, reasonable modifications of existing premises." A landlord may, where reasonable, require you to agree to restore the interior afterward, excluding reasonable wear and tear. Ask in writing, and seek advice if you are refused.

How do I keep a ramp safe in a Minnesota winter?

Plan for snow from the start. NOAA reports 30 to 70 inches a year over most of the state. Decide where shoveled snow will go, keep roof drip off the surface, and consider whether a shorter route with less to clear exists. A threshold ramp at an inside door adds nothing to shovel.

Do you install ramps in Minnesota?

We ship to your state. Installation isn't available here yet; email us and we'll help you find a local installer. Threshold ramps and door opener accessories ship ready to place, and our ramp quote can still help you understand the size and layout of a built ramp before you talk with anyone local.

Browse the ramps and door openers collection, size the job with the ramp quote, or use the full assessment to sort out what the entry really needs. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Minn. R. 1300.0120, Permits
• Minn. Stat. 363A.10, Real property; disability
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Minnesota (2022)
• Harmar rubber threshold ramps
• Faith Mobility: Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener product page
• Faith Mobility: Open Sesame Large Wireless Wall Push Pad (FL) product page
• Faith Mobility: Open Sesame Proximity Sensor Tag Set product page
• Minnesota STAR
• AT3 Center: Minnesota