Do I need a permit for interior remodeling in Unincorporated Pope County?

Most likely yes. Interior remodeling usually requires a permit in Minnesota. Confirm the specifics with Unincorporated Pope County.

Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work are exempt from the building permit under Minn. R. 1300.0120, subp. 4. Ordinary repairs exclude cutting load-bearing members, removing walls, changing egress, and altering water, drain, gas, or wiring (Minn. R. 1300.0120, subp. 6), so most real remodels need a permit where the code is enforced. Electrical work needs a state electrical permit (request for inspection) from the Department of Labor and Industry everywhere in Minnesota except in the roughly 66 cities that run their own electrical inspection program (Minn. Stat. 326B.36). A remodel that moves walls or includes electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work falls outside cosmetic exemptions, which cover finishes such as paint, flooring, trim, and cabinets. Each trade normally needs its own permit and inspection on top of the building permit, and removing or altering a load bearing wall usually requires a beam detail or engineering before the work is approved. Opening walls in an older home can trigger separate lead paint, asbestos, and smoke alarm requirements, so raise those with your department at application time.