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Duluth Creates Pilot Program to Encourage Home Renovation

[Duluth, MN] – The City of Duluth Community Planning Division and Construction Services & Inspection divisions are launching a Historic Home Rehabilitation Pilot Program. This program was created to encourage investment and to preserve historic homes throughout Duluth. The pilot program will waive 50% of building permit fees (up to $500) for eligible projects. The City is aware that over 40% of Duluth’s housing units were built before 1940. This is more than double the 20% of Minnesota housing units that were built prior to 1940 and even higher when compared to national numbers of 15%. The program hopes to ensure the longevity of these historic homes, which represent period specific architecture and lend themselves to the historical context of many Duluth neighborhoods. 

Homes built before 1940 are eligible as long as they are requesting renovations for the following types of projects:

• Upgrading electrical, plumbing or HVAC systems
• Repainting exterior and or replacing roofing, siding, windows, or similar improvements
• Insulation or energy efficient upgrades, excluding appliances
• Restoration or repair of features original to the home (i.e. crown molding, cornices,

 “The City of Duluth is excited to provide this pilot program as a way to encourage rehabilitation and improvements to older homes within Duluth. We recognize that renovation projects can be costly, so providing an avenue to bring down the cost burden of improvements is the focus of this program. We are excited for the potential results and encourage property owners to take advantage of this pilot program,” said Keith Hamre, Director of Planning and Construction Services.

For those interested in applying for the pilot program, please access the application and get further details at, http://www.duluthmn.gov/media/544022/pilot-program-information.pdf. Applications are reviewed for eligibility and if approved, require a permit application. Permit reductions for historic home renovations are limited up to $500 per property and at most, two properties per applicant with the fee reduction applied at the time of the permit application.  This program is open to homes that are owner or renter occupied. The city plans to waive up to a total of $10,000 in permit fees over the next 12 months.

For more information or to get answered, please contact Jenn Reed Moses in the Community Planning division at jmoses@duluthmn.gov or 218-730-5328.

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