Minneapolis, MN Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Minneapolis, 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
- Max height
- 13 ft (16 ft if materials match house)
- Max floor area
- 800 sq ft or 10% of lot
- Min distance from house
- 6 feet
- Placement
- entirely to rear of house
- Governing code
- Ch. 545, Art. III, Accessory Uses
Summary
Detached sheds and garages in Minneapolis are capped at 13 feet tall (16 feet with matching materials), 800 square feet or 10% of lot area, and must sit at least 6 feet from the house.
A detached accessory structure accessory to a principal use located in an urban neighborhood and RM1 districts shall not exceed thirteen (13) feet... The maximum height may be increased to sixteen (16) feet where the primary exterior materials of the accessory structure match the primary exterior materials of the principal structure... A detached accessory building shall not be located closer than six (6) feet from the habitable space or attached garage of a residential use.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 545.350 caps detached accessory structures in the urban neighborhood and RM1 districts at 13 feet, with a 10-foot wall height limit; the city can approve up to 16 feet if the shed's exterior materials and roof pitch match the house. § 545.360 limits total floor area of detached accessory structures to 800 square feet or 10% of lot area, whichever is greater, for one-, two-, and three-family lots. § 545.380 requires a detached accessory building to sit at least 6 feet from the home's habitable space or attached garage, and § 545.390 requires detached garages and accessory dwelling units to sit entirely behind the principal house.
Violations & Fines
Zoning administrator review and possible correction order for sheds built oversized or too close to the house; appeals go to the Board of Adjustment under Chapter 525.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a shed be in Minneapolis?
How close can a shed be to my house in Minneapolis?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
How Minneapolis compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Minneapolis 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.