Saint Paul, MN Accessory Structures: ADU Owner Occupancy (2026)

When Saint Paul first legalized ADUs in 2016 via Ordinance 16-26 (codified at Chapter 65 of the Legislative Code), the regulations required that the property owner reside in either the principal dwelling or the ADU as a precondition to ADU approval. This was modeled after early-generation ADU ordinances in Minneapolis and other Minnesota cities. Minnesota HF 4029 (Session Laws 2024 Ch. 124), effective January 1, 2025, prohibits cities of 10,000+ population from conditioning ADU approval on owner-occupancy in single-family zones — this state preemption overrides any conflicting local provision. The Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) administers ADU permits consistent with the state mandate. Property owners may now rent both the principal dwelling and the ADU to non-owner tenants. However, both rental units must comply with: (1) Saint Paul Rental Licensing under Legislative Code Chapter 40 — every unit rented to a non-owner must hold a current Certificate of Occupancy, and properties with three or more rental units require an annual rental registration; (2) Saint Paul Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Code Ch. 193A, adopted 2021 and amended 2022) — see ADU rental restrictions; (3) Ramsey County property tax homestead status is impacted — the owner cannot claim homestead on a non-occupied principal dwelling.