Blaine, MN Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)

Blaine's code does not list a standalone garage-conversion permit, but a conversion is regulated through several zoning and building provisions. If you convert an attached garage into finished living area for the existing home, it is a building-permit matter and you must still satisfy the City's residential off-street parking requirements; converting a garage's parking capacity to living space can create a parking deficiency. If the conversion creates a second, self-contained dwelling unit with its own kitchen and bathroom, it is legally an accessory dwelling unit and must comply with Section 33.25 (recodified Section 129-23): owner-occupancy recorded to title, shared (non-separate) metering, at least three off-street parking spaces between the home and unit, a two-bedroom and one-unit-per-lot cap, a permanent foundation, and color/material compatibility with the home. Attached ADUs are permitted only in the R-1, R-1A, R-1AA, R-1B, RE, FR, and DF districts with an administrative permit, and are capped at 50% of the home's finished area or 960 square feet (1,200 in RE/FR). The ADU rules also note that the home and ADU are treated as a two-family dwelling under the Minnesota Residential Code unless connected by a passageway at least 40 inches wide without a door. Because requirements vary by district and existing conditions, confirm scope with Blaine's Building and Planning staff before starting.