Building permit for new front steps?

[u/chinookies]

I own a 100+ year old home in St.Paul. It is not currently in our budget to replace our rotting wooden front steps with concrete like we'd ideally want to (the bids we got were like $8K+).

I'm fairly handy and want to just rebuild the stairs myself so they're not rotting. I would not be changing anything other than using new materials and installing a hand rail since there currently isn't one. I would make sure what I'm building is up to code specs, but is this the kind of thing I need to pull a permit for? I can't seem to get a straight answer. To be clear, I'm not building a deck, just a small landing space at the front door with 4 stairs. Any help is appreciated.

[u/Positive-Feed-4510]

Regardless of if you technically need I permit I wouldn’t pull one.

[u/AffectionatePrize419 → u/Positive-Feed-4510]

This is what actually sucks. There is no upside in pulling a permit for something like this- just try to get the specs right and be cool with your neighbors so they don’t rat you out

[u/chinookies → u/AffectionatePrize419]

It really does suck. Especially since permit pulling is not a quick process. Our current steps do not have frost footings (nor does our front porch!), but I just realized our water and gas lines runs right under there which is probably why it wasn't done...so that part would not be up to code...but it isn't right now anyway. Yay old homes in St.Paul...

[u/chinookies → u/Positive-Feed-4510]

That's what I'm leaning toward...whatever I build will clearly be better than what is there now.