Bloomington, MN Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Bloomington, MN, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Permit Threshold
- 200 sq ft (exempt if under)
- Max Height
- 12 ft (non-garage)
- Side Setback
- 5 ft minimum
- City Code
- §21.301.19
Summary
Sheds and accessory buildings regulated under City Code §21.301.19. Buildings under 200 sq ft are exempt from building permits. Max height 12 ft for non-garage accessory buildings. Minimum 5-ft side yard setback. Total accessory building area limited to the ground floor living area of the house plus 120 sq ft.
Permitted accessory building size is determined based upon two factors: 1) Ground floor four-season living area 2) Lot size. Your accessory building(s) on-site cannot be larger than +120 square feet the ground floor four-season living area of your house. If your lot is 15,000 square feet or smaller: the square footage of your combined total area of accessory building(s) can be a maximum of 1,120 square feet. You may have a maximum of two detached accessory buildings on your property. Accessory building setbacks by zoning district (R-1 and RS-1): Front Yard 30 feet; Side or rear yard 5 feet; Side or rear yard adjoining a street 30 feet. Maximum height for accessory structures (excluding garages) in single-family residential zoning districts is 15 feet. If the accessory building is larger than 200 square feet, you must obtain a building permit.
Full Breakdown
Accessory buildings include storage buildings, sheds, garages, pool houses, and gazebos. Per MN State Building Code, exterior walls less than 5 ft from the property line require one-hour fire-resistance rating. Roof eave projections 2+ ft extending to less than 5 ft from property line also require fire-resistance rating. Storage of temporary buildings, manufactured homes, tiny houses, and temporary family health care dwellings is prohibited. Contact Building & Inspections at 952-563-8930 for permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a shed in Bloomington?
How big can a shed be without a permit in Bloomington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bloomington
How Bloomington compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Bloomington to another location·View the Minnesota accessory structures overview
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Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hennepin County handle shed & carport rules.