Stearns County, MN Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Stearns County, 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-exempt size
- 150 sq ft or less (Section 6.1)
- Shoreland riparian lot under 0.5 ac
- 900 sq ft max / 16 ft height
- Shoreland riparian lot 9.5+ ac
- Unlimited area, 30 ft height cap
- Non-riparian Shoreland lot
- 5% of lot area or 1,200 sq ft
- Separation from principal dwelling
- 10 feet minimum
- CUP trigger in A-160/A-80/A-40
- LESA score of 65 or above
Summary
Stearns County exempts sheds of 150 square feet or less from a construction site permit but still holds them to setbacks, and caps residential accessory buildings on Shoreland riparian lots on a sliding scale, from 900 square feet on parcels under half an acre up to unlimited area past 9.5 acres.
6.1 Accessory Buildings. Accessory buildings that are equal to or less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet in area are not required to obtain a construction site permit pursuant to Section 4.11.1 of this Ordinance. All applicable setbacks and performance standards shall be met. ... G. No residential accessory building shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to the principal residential building on the lot.
Full Breakdown
1, but must still meet all applicable setbacks and performance standards. 2 covers residential accessory buildings outside Residential Manufactured Home Districts. 5 acres or more. 5 acres. Any accessory building of 150 square feet or less is excluded from that area calculation entirely, needs no construction site permit, but must still meet setbacks. 2(G) requires a 10-foot separation from the principal residence, and (H) bars decks on any detached accessory structure. 33, for residential accessory structures in the A-160, A-80 and A-40 agricultural districts when the parcel's Land Evaluation Site Assessment score is 65 or above, unless the structure sits within 150 feet of an existing structure or the Department finds minimal farmland impact. 1, which imposes no numeric limit on how many a farm parcel may have but restricts them to agricultural use only.
Violations & Fines
Erecting a shed or accessory building that exceeds the applicable size table, encroaches on the required 10-foot separation from the principal dwelling, or is converted into a dwelling unit or commercial storage space in violation of Section 6.2.2(D) and (F), is a zoning violation the county Environmental Services Department can enforce by requiring removal, relocation or a retroactive conditional use permit application before any further use of the structure continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small shed in Stearns County?
How big can my shed be on a lake lot in Stearns County?
How close to my house can a detached shed sit in Stearns County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stearns County
How Stearns County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Stearns County to another location·View the Minnesota accessory structures overview
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